Like much of the country, this week’s temperatures in Nashville have been very wintery indeed.
Once upon a time I vowed never again to live in a climate that had winter. It could be a season in name only. (I grew up in Denver. I chose to go to college at the University of Arizona very much on purpose. It was (a) away from home, and (b) in a nice warm and sunny climate. No more snow!)
I successfully managed to uphold my vow for 17 years. I lived in Tucson for five years, Phoenix for six, and Jacksonville, Florida, for six.
But a few years back I started longing for all four seasons. It started in Jacksonville, which had more of a winter than Phoenix. Leaves changed. Temps could drop into the 20s for lows. There was something delicious about the crispness. Something that stirred the nostalgia within me for the winters of my youth.
Back up the bus! What did I say? Winters of my youth? Longing for them? Was I losing my mind? I’d heard that happened as you aged. That must be it!
But, alas, no. The feeling stayed. When Wayne had the chance to move us to Nashville I was excited about it. Seasons!
We came to house hunt in March of 2005. It snowed twice. Just spitting flurries, nothing that stuck, but it had been ages since I’d experienced the magic of snow falling.
Ah, yes, there was a magic to it, wasn’t there? And now I had “kids” I was excited to share that magic with.
Because invigorated by the colder days in Jax, Murph sprang to life. But those were few and far between. Winter months were usually pretty mild there.
But in Nashville? We were talking months of Murphy weather. I knew he’d love it!
Mr. Meow’s an inside cat, but after the first snow during our first winter here, I bundled myself up and Murphy, Mr. Meow, and I went out en masse to see the white stuff. They both loved it. Yes, even that crazy cat of mine. He shook his paws at first, tasted the snow, then tromped all over the yard with Murphy investigating it.
Mr. Meow chasing snowflakes
And cold winter nights? Those are the best. Even though the heat’s on inside, there’s still a touch of chilly in the air. It promotes snuggle buddy time.
Take last night for instance. I woke up in the wee hours to find Tabby snuggled up against me on the one side, Mr. Meow on my head, and Murphy against my legs. Together we were nice and roasty toasty warm.
Where once I dreaded and despised winters, I’ve now found reasons to relish it. Thanks to my pets. They just have a way of making everything better.
Related Articles
Snowballs, Snowmen, and a Dog Gone Wild
Frugal Fun: Make Your Own Snow Paint
Walking in a Winter Wonderland – Snow shoeing
Snowed In and Housebound—Five Ways to Pass The Time