“People are so crabby.”
I was on a routine errand run when I fell into conversation with a young clerk, an artist minding the counter at a local art gallery and gift shop.
Situated on a street corner, it’s one of those places that’s lived several lives over the years — a hair salon, a bike shop. The one constant — the building itself. Its large windows wrap around the front and down the side. You can almost see the years of patrons and shopkeepers alike peering out, taking in the almost 180-degree view of the surrounding streets and businesses.
Her comment was in response to me asking simply, “how have things been going?”
It wasn’t long until we started talking about the weather, both of us instantly turning our attention outside. Our eyes moved past the artwork and out the old windows to discover a momentary lull in the snowfall. A tiny break of sunshine had also temporarily lifted the gloom that had settled over the area several days before.
The gloom, we both agreed, is the worst.
Live through just one winter in Western New York and you’ll become well-acquainted with this seasonal attribute so ubiquitous it begs the question, “have I inadvertently stumbled into a black and white movie?”
It begins its dreary descent sometime around October and while the brightly colored leaves can fend it off for awhile, they can’t hold on forever. Eventually, they let go — an invitation for the whole world to follow suit and give way to the grey.
I imagine these conditions are great if you’re hibernating. The napping landscape loses a substantial amount of its charm, however, the longer you’re awake to experience it.
There’s a certain amount of acceptance that settles in with winter but this tolerance, like the season itself, is temporary. It usually starts to wear off long before the cold and snow are ready to leave. Like fish or houseguests that have overstayed their welcome, the whole business really starts to stink.
That is, of course, until the arrival of Spring.
Ah, Spring — with its new shoots of pale green promise, brave blooms pushing their way to the surface; the giddy rush of a fresh, new, lighter, brighter season.
This is how it is advertised.
In reality, Spring sputtered more than sprang this year. The first day blew in with more snow than we had seen in weeks. It wasn’t too crazy, to be fair, at least by Western New York standards. (Who really needs to see across the lawn anyway?) Still, it was enough to make anyone say, “enough” — their fists shaking a snow brush at the sky.
Tired of wind that stings and cold that bites, there comes a time when we are more than ready for winter to vamoose and to take the gloom with it.
Good riddance.
This is a warm and friendly reminder to try not to take those feelings out any anybody else.
“I try to go out for a walk everyday,” the clerk continued, “even when it’s cold, just to get some fresh air but this snow…”
She trailed off and I joked, “well, Spring is here!”
She laughed and after we settled our business, I turned and offered a “stay warm” on my way out.
“You too,” she called after me.
The words were still floating when I grasped the handle, opened the big old door and walked out onto the sidewalk — straight into a sharp gust of wind.
This essay originally appeared in the March 28, 2024 edition of the Perry Herald in Perry, NY under the title “Sprang.”
Okay, I'm going to be a real jerk here, and say the pollen has been happening here since early March - in Georgia. It usually "rolls out" in phases, by plant type, but this season everything has come out simulateneously - uhhggg!
It is with heart-felt sympathy to observe your winter from afar. Unlike here, your winter season is very "real" and long (real long?). Our mid-winter weather here is like an autumn or late spring cold snap in Western New York. The WNY winter seems brutal at times, grey and dismal which has to be hard on the psyche.
I met a guy in a store here sporting a Bill's cap. He was from WNY, and didn't seem to miss the cold weather there (imagine that!). But, one bright spot is that the Western New York summers are amongst the best in the land - simply gorgeous - fairly mild temperatures - seemlingly constant breeze in the air. What's not to like?
This same fellow didn't like our summer. He said, holding his pinched fingers in front of him, on the previous summer he very nearly moved back to New York. August was HORRID - mid nineties with high humidity EVERY day. If you didn't get your outdoor chores completed by 10:30 am, that became tomorrow's chores! The best solution would be to "winter" down south, and "summer" up north if one could so afford. I think the birds had this figured out long ago, by the way!
My intent with all this is not to "tick" anyone off, but on the contrary, to trigger the inner Spring Fever - spread the warmth, if you will. Hang In There! Spring, and warmer weather, is growing nigh!
The Jerk
During COVID, I learned that most if not all of my job can be done remotely. "So why am I not seeing the world?" Now have been to Costa Rica, Galveston (we all make mistakes), Aruba and a remote Bahamian island. Four weeks away starting the day after the Super Bowl. Still get work done--to be sure, it's less work, but all crises easily handled. I'm thinking next year might be six weeks.
See the world during the months you endure rather than enjoy...