California Dreamin' on Such a Winter's Day

Except it's not so winter-like outside. And not necessarily California, but sun in general, and wishing the weather would go one way or the other, dammit. Preferably toward winter, at least for a little while.

There are robins on the lawn, the magnolia is trying hard to bloom, there are buds on the hydrangeas and daffodil shoots on the edges of the planting beds. It is January 8, 2007.

Wrong, on so many levels.

Not that I love shovelling snow, much less driving in it, but one of the things I love about New England is seasons. I didn't have those growing up.

I love the first real coating snow in winter. When it gets so quiet and still out and you can watch the wonder on children's faces.

I love the week in spring when the buds on shrubs and trees burst into that new bright spring green.

I love the lazy days of summer that, though hot and humid, stretch into late evenings of eating dinner on the beach or screened porch.

I love the change of colors in the fall, when the oranges and golds on the trees seem to make the fading light glow.

Honestly we need a good hard freeze for a week or so. Yes, I know the buds and sprouts that are emerging already are going to burn, and when they actually do bloom the edges will be tinged with brown, but we still need a hard freeze. Even if just for practicality's sake.

If we don't get a hard freeze it will be a bad roadkill spring. Think about it. Eau de flat skunk.

If we don't get a hard freeze, flowers will bloom too soon and we'll have a colorless mid-growing season. And the annual weeds in lawns and planting beds will become even more firmly established.

If we don't get a hard freeze, it will be a bad tick year - for animals and humans alike

If we don't get a hard freeze, there will be no skating on the cranberry bogs.

If we don't get a hard freeze, there will be no bundling up for some activity with the promise of a warm fire and hot cocoa at the end of our efforts.

If we don't get a hard freeze, the sense of renewal with spring won't bring the same joyous promise of rebirth.

Of course, if we don't get a hard freeze, the winter heating bill will be more manageable.

Can't win, I guess.