Ahhh.....There's a change in the weather

When I woke up this morning, a change was in the air...and by that, I mean a welcomed change. Since I live along the Gulf Coast (prefer not to disclose location) I have to deal with two seasons. I say "deal" because if I had my choice, despite the many people I know here, I'd live elsewhere. The seasonal changes in this area are but two: Green and Brown. Not-so-cold and blazing hot and humid. Living and Dead. OK, you get my point.

Having a nomadic childhood was difficult at first, but after the first couple of moves, I adjusted. Then I married someone from a town along the Gulf Coast. The warnings started. "If you marry someone from here, you'll just have to accept staying here." So far, that's turned out to be true. It's been a source of restlessness for much of my married life, and when some have suggested a "long distance marriage" I gave it a serious consideration, applying for a couple of jobs in areas where I would like to reside, but they didn't come to pass.

After mourning the loss of the brief cool weather here, I was pleased to wake this morning to chilly temperatures. Mind you, I have no desire to live where one has to contend with several feet of snow for six months or more (so I guess Alaska is out) but I WOULD like to reside where there is transitional weather, i.e. the beautiful autumnal colors I've experienced in the past.)

Because my current region of residence rarely sees snow, it causes work closures, school closures and total amazement when a mere coating of snow hits the ground. Ice does create problems, however, that my mother once grumbled about when I rejoiced in the snowy winters of childhood. She would say "Just wait until you have to drive in this stuff and you won't think it so much fun. Well, she was right.

When I first drove on ice covered roads here, I was trying to make a turn near a ditch that was about three feet in depth, but still enough to swallow part of a car if I lost control. It happened. I skidded and the comedian Bill Cosby's words rattled in my head to still my anxiety of hitting the ditch "When you go into a skid, turn your wheel in the direction of the skid." Fortunately, I didn't question that rule as Cosby did which sent his car skidding sideways--or so he relates to others. I never had that problem in other areas where ice was more prevalent. Maybe it was luck, maybe it was because the highway maintenance people (if there is such a group) went about their task of clearing the snow and ice off the road. Even though it wasn't fast enough to stop my mother from grumbling.