Buck up, Mr. Phil. Don’t let the sight of your shadow send you back into your hole. We’re all quite sick of the cold weather, snow and icy roads. For the sake of our mental health, crawl out of your hole and go find some golf courses to destroy.
My mom, who moved here to Idaho a few weeks ago from Texas, isn’t convinced that spring will arrive before July, if at all. She looks outside, sees the snow, shivers, and goes back to her bedroom to pile on more clothes. She has a long green robe, the thickness of a comforter, that she wears over her sweater, sweat pants and long-sleeved sweater.
One day, soon after she arrived here in mid January, she and my sister and I ventured out on a short walk to the Community Center. Within seconds of being outdoors, our mom began a steady and doleful litany of groans, squeaks and laments. Granted, it was cold. And, more than 30 years in Texas didn’t prepare her for the freezing temperatures she’s discovered in this new location.
Her impression of Boise, Idaho was summed up in these words to my sister: “This is a hostile country, isn’t it?”
I wish I could reassure her that it’s only the politics that are hostile. But, honestly, the weather—you get used to it. In my 20 years of living in Texas, I never got used to the heat and humidity. I looked forward to the fall, which seemed to take forever to arrive and turned out to be only a suggestion, a weak representation, of that season. In Texas, you’re very much deprived of seasons. Summer lasts almost 8 months and can suddenly reappear in January. With extreme humidity.
Here in Idaho, summer is shorter and can be quite hot, but it’s bookended by the most pleasant mornings and evenings. They make one forget about the 100-degree heat. But it is truly, almost nearly always, lovely to sit in the shade.
We point out the back patio in her new home and keep telling her about the glorious mornings, late afternoons and evenings we’ll spend there. When spring arrives, we’ll begin our traditional walks around the yard to observe the new growth and the early flowers. We’ll begin the vegetable garden. Mom says she’ll help out there, but she will absolutely not pick bugs off the vegetables. I’m with her. She and I will leave that to my much braver sister and brother.
She’ll sit on the patio with us on warm days and watch the dogs chase squirrels. Happy hours will begin some time in April or May and continue on into November. We’ll cook out and have our dinners outside. When she expresses her dislike about eating outdoors, I remind my mom that she won’t have to deal with mosquitos. She left those behind in Texas.
Yesterday, the temperatures rose, the sun came out and burned off a bit of the chill. I walked next door to talk to my mom and found her outside, on the patio, sweeping up the leaves. She said it was beautiful outside. She said she had to take her sweater off because she had gotten so warm with the exertion. She was cheerful and full of energy.
She’s already getting used to the weather.
But don’t dawdle, Mr. Punxsutawney Phil. Be kind to us this year. Be brave. Bring spring early. For my mom, please.
I’m sure it’s been hard on your mom. This is a difficult time of adjustment and being transported to an alien landscape is a lot to take in all at once no doubt. But I’m sure you are right that soon she will recognize the beauty of where you are and she will be very happy to be so close to her children! You have my thoughts and blessings Jean, always.
Thank you, Sherry. I think it’s starting to settle in a little that she is here permanently. She is so afraid of being a burden or getting in the way. When she told me last evening that she could get an “apartment”, I wanted to cry and laugh at the same time. She’s staying put. We love having her here.
I’m with you–c’mon, Phil! The image of your mom sweeping up leaves on her patio really warmed me right up. It’s around 20 here today and actually feels warm compared to last week. Still, I can’t seem to rid of the chill, my hands are always icy. I hope you and your mom can enjoy the upcoming spring and eat lots of meals outdoors.
I’m so sorry, Darla! Wish we could send some warm breezes your way. We’ve all got cabin fever here but are trying to get out as often as we can. I can’t wait to get the ice off the pavers in my backyard. Of course, when everything melts, I’ll be looking forward to mud. Lots of it, tracked into my house by little paws.
It’s been snowing here since last night, and is supposed to continue into Monday. Our winters last from early November until April or May. Idaho sounds at least a little better, except for the hostile politics.
I hope you and your entire family are doing well. As Sherry said, it’s a difficult time. But it must be wonderful that you’re all together.
It is wonderful to be together, Charles. I get to see my mom every day now. I used to ache to see her face and hug her. Now I don’t have that to deal with. I’ve missed her for many, many years. I’m going to make the most of these days.
Hope you have a marvelous spring, and soon!
Your Mom sounds like a really brave, adaptable lady
I hope the weather does what you want it to!
She is extraordinary. I suppose that being a former military wife helped her learn to adapt to different environments. I admire my mom so much and she is so delightful to be around.
Our groundhog here in Toronto, Wiarton Willie, mercifully predicted an early spring. I’ve never been to Idaho but I don’t imagine its as cold as it is here in the great white north!
Enjoy the time with your mom
Yay! Another voice heard – that’s confirmation – I don’t have long to wait for spring. Thank you for stopping by!
“But don’t dawdle, Mr. Punxsutawney Phil. Be kind to us this year. Be brave. Bring spring early.”
No, no, no, no, no. Lest you forget, winters last about two weeks here in Texas and if spring comes too early then those 8 months of summer can’t be far behind.
If only the seasons could be divvied up where your mom could get her earlier spring and we could keep it from approaching down here. {{{{{{{{sigh}}}}}}}}}}
Sorry, Larry. I forgot for a moment that you live in Texas! But I can sympathize with you. Believe me, the memory of that weather never leaves me.
This must be quite a transition for your mother, including the weather and the landscape. Her summation of Boise did amuse me, even though I’ve never been to your part of the country. It’s been another disturbingly warm winter in the Big Apple. When I woke I saw a dusting of snow that apparently fell overnight, but thus far, this winter seems very similar to last year’s when next to no snow fell and then the summer was a big bowl of oppressive heat and humidity. I hope for your mother’s sake that Boise’s temperatures will prove to be agreeable to her very soon Jean. At lest she’s with her kids and there’s never a pooch very far away to also keep her company.
The pups have been so good for her. She loves them and doesn’t mind them on her bed. It’s such a joy to see this family all together. We keep reminding our mom that the best is yet to come. I don’t think Boise will fail her. Thank goodness she won’t experience that humidity again. Hey, she’s got a lot of gardening and weeding to do, so it better be nice outside!
My part of the country is drab, dreary, and cold in winter. I can’t wait for spring to arrive.
Same here, Ahab. We’ve been locked into a gloomy inversion layer and now fog for a month. Once or twice we got to see the sun and blue skies. It’s all about hanging in there.
I’m glad to see Carolyn and you neglecting to do your chores fully knowing your 88 year old mother will get out there and do them for you. I knew there was an ulterior motive for having her move there.
Yeah, sometimes she forgets which bedroom is hers. I never say anything until she’s done making the bed. XD
Hilarious! Mom has been talking about finding a job and is looking at the ads. Little does she know just how busy she’ll be out in the yard come spring and summer… And then there’s that small construction job I have planned…
Yeah, and we have first dibs on her. Your crappy yard will just have to wait in line.
Course no one will believe this news from a Canadian (we don’t tell people we are tucked in a little cove with a Mediterranean climate), but the crocuses are out, buds are forming on my rose bush and the azalea looks like she wants to pop blossoms soon. Victoria has cherry blossoms.
We had one snowfall – on Christmas Day and the snow lasted one day.
Yep, right here in West Coast Canada – but that’s a secret!
Wow – crocuses already! I’m so jealous! I think it will be at least a month before we see ours. Spring is close at hand and we’re going to make the most of it here!
I hope your mom is adjusting to her new life in the north. It sounds like she’s got a great support system with you and your sister and brother. Now if only that groundhog would cooperate.
I heard yesterday that Phil didn’t see his shadow! Yippeee! Spring isn’t far behind! Yes, having my mom here, so that I can hug her every day, is a gift. I’m very happy.
Glad to hear your mom is adjusting to the weather and love her description of the place as “hostile!” Sounds about right to me!
Sorry to have been so utterly absent recently. My partner and I are in the process of selling our home and moving to Ecuador, and that process has been more consuming than I’d imagined. And actually, one of the reasons we’re moving is climatic. In Cuenca, where we hope to live, the weather promises perpetual spring–rarely changing, since it’s equatorial, but most often between 50 and 75 F because of the elevation–8,200 feet. I hate heat. Sara hates the cold. It’s a good comprimise for us.
Take care—–
Hugs,
Kathy
What an adventure, Kathy! How exciting for the both of you. Can’t wait to hear about your life there.
Damn typos! Sorry!
Thank goodness there was no shadow to frighten Phil. Even Texas winters are too long for me.
Oh, dear! I hear that Texas is having quite lovely weather now.
Well I didn’t know anything of Idaho or its climate, so thank you Jean! I must have a look at a map…
[I have seen that rather good film 'Groundhog Day' though, so I know what you are on about!]
You’re welcome, Dave! The snow is melting fast now! Lots of puddles to walk through!
I love this post. So glad things are going well. It just takes time for the blood to thicken up a bit? She’s moving around the patio sounds wonderful – no mosquitoes -no humidity. Ahhhhh.
Maybe volunteer at the library or school reading with kids? My ancient uncles always said a little “job” or place you have to be is nice – and being around others lets you have stories to share like everyone around the dinner table – just a thought.
We’ll tolerate an early spring this year just for your mom. Paw waves to pups!
Good ideas, philosopher. We’ll look into some volunteer stuff. She’ll start some community classes in the spring, but she’s already attending some lectures and joining a bridge group. We just need to help encourage her to wear her hearing aids. That’s so important!
Wow you guys really have it in gear at warp speed.(low humidity does that HA HA)
Just mentioned the volunteer stuff ( but she sounds pretty active) as those are often rather sheltered and positive experiences with nice people around – and less stress while still being valuable to society (maybe when she’s older…have to remember my ancient relatives were past 90 but wanted to stay productive and busy)
They say classes and learning are the best for keeping the brain healthy – and the social benefits
Good luck with the hearing aids….we also had to fight for the car keys but ours were much older (they did fine until about 95, then it was time)
Impressed by all of you adapting so well. Great job! (a little hugs sent, too though…just store until you need it)
2012 was the hottest year in recorded history (in the USA), so I don’t think you have any worries. Once that global warming thing really gets in gear, you may find Idaho feeling a bit like Texas again!
It is funny how we acclimate. Temps that feel brutally cold in the fall, feel like light jacket weather in the spring once your blood has thickened up. I noticed that walking in to work today, jacket unzipped, no hat, but the temps were just below zero.
How this all resonates. My mother, of course, moved from Iowa to Texas, and was sure she was going to die of the heat. She didn’t want to be in Texas at all, and certainly wasn’t going to like anything about the state. Then, we introduced her to chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and cream gravy. Things got better.
I did have to give some, I’ll admit that. Her insistence that we carry the snow shovel in the trunk “just in case” was a little much. And she had to get used to not ordering her favorite chocolates from St. Louis in July and August. But you’re exactly right – having them close is the way it ‘sposed to be.
Your mom adapted, I’m sure. That’s what we do. And, yes, having my mom close is the way – the only way.
i grew up in the catskills of new yawk where we had snowdrifts taller than i was. however, after living in hit humid floriduhhhh for so many years, i have become the biggest cold weather wimp. when we used to visit my grandparents down here on winter break, it would be 60 degrees, and we couldn’t wait to jump in the pool or go to the beach in our shorts or bathing suits. now, if it gets into the 60s, i look like a homeless person wearing every bit of clothing she owns. that said, i love it when it gets cold. i wish it would last a lot longer.
I think living in Florida would make me long for cold, too!