Winter

I went to California a few weeks ago to visit a friend and take a break from the winter. Turns out it was quite a fortuitous plan, because it ended up being one of the coldest weekends this winter in New England! There was a 95 degree temperature difference between when I left Boston in the AM (-15 degrees) and arrived in Long Beach (80 glorious, sunny degrees).

By this point in the winter, most people in New England are tired of the weather, myself included, and start wondering why we subject ourselves to such an undesirable climate. I've been hearing a lot of "I hate winter" comments from friends and strangers, and at first I thought I agreed, but then I had a revelation. I don't hate winter at all, as a matter of fact I enjoy it. What I hate is how people deal with it.

Granted, Bostonians are exactly known for their kindness, but it gets even worse in the winter. Why do we have to be so rude to each other? The winter is tough enough to deal with without all the nastiness. For example, when the sidewalk is not treated after a storm and there is only a path wide enough for one person to get through, have a little consideration for your fellow pedestrian. Just because you are on your cell phone doesn't give you the right of way. And you would be much less likely to fall on the snow or ice if you weren't wearing your stilleto boots. And it is not ok to shovel your car out of a parking spot by putting all the snow into someone else's. And you wouldn't be that cold if you were wearing a real winter jacket and gloves, hat, scarft, etc. instead of a little cardigan so you look "cool" going out. You look cool all right, and stupid! I may look a little funny in my hat with the ear flaps, but I am warm and in a great mood, which is more than I can say for you.