Each year, late autumn begins dropping hints as to what lies ahead. Day by day the cooling temperatures remind us of the coming of winter. Another Midwest winter with all of its snow and cold, its slippery, icy roads, and its cancelled activities and appointments. Winter, with its huge (this year exceptionally huge) home-heating fuel bills. Such weather is really nothing new. We’ve all been there before.
Everyone loves springtime. The bright, warm days and new plans for the coming summer. And all of that fresh, new, green growth. Many of us look forward to the return of the songbirds and the northward migration of waterfowl.
As we move through the summer, we may begin to complain about the heat and the insects. And about all the work the lawn and garden require. Also the air-conditioning costs. But, overall, most of us are usually quite happy and content. We can usually find a spot of shade where we can sit and relax and think. The warm weather makes possible many sports and other outdoor activities. And who can remain unhappy long when surrounded by our beautiful green fields, hills, and bluffs. And our great rivers and streams.
Even long after retirement, many of us who grew up on farms still thrill to the growth progress we see in the roadside cornfields. As we drive by, we watch for fields in which the young plants have reached the “knee-high stage.” Next we keep an eye out for “hip-high corn,” and later for corn that is “shoulder-high.” Next, it is the “tasseling out” and “shooting ears” stages. Lush, healthy green of knee-high, weed-free fields of soybeans and alfalfa can have a calming, almost healing effect on a worried, troubled soul.
Next comes autumn, which is most people’s favorite season of all, and the one we would least want to miss out on. When the hardwood trees and sumac begin to don their bright clothing, it is almost as if we are in a different world, one with its own sights, sounds, and smells. Fall is a great season for nostalgia. For remembering countless great times we have enjoyed in many autumns long gone by.
After the bright leaves have fallen, we know that it will be only a short time until the landscape will be wearing a white blanket of snow and our midwest winter will be here. And then we must face that annual question: Go or stay? Do we really want to remain here to face another frigid and angry midwest winter? Or should we join the “snow birds,” and head for a warmer southern clime?
So far, except for occasional trips that are two or three weeks in length, we have always opted to remain here in the frosty Snow Belt. Perhaps we are in a rut. Or maybe just content with our regular routine here at home. Or curious to see just what the heck is going to happen next around here. No, I can’t say that we really enjoy winter all that much. But we also have no real desire to leave.
How are you all dealing with winter this year?
WINTER
Early morning radio
Says, “No school, because of snow.
And no basketball, as well.”
Tomorrow? Too soon to tell.
Beneath dark and brooding sky
White snowdrifts are soon knee-high,
Raging north wind howls and roars,
A good day to stay indoors.
All day long this storm will rage,
Best check the fuel tank’s gauge,
Keep all doors and windows locked,
Be thankful our shelves are stocked.
Make sure the snow shovel’s near,
Check all snow removal gear,
Everything we’ll need and use,
Mittens, scarves, and overshoes.
Wind-driven snow moves and shifts
Front walk hides ‘neath waist-deep drifts.
Driveway heaped from street to door
Snowplow will add a lot more.
Power lines must all be down
Up on the north end of town.
Neighbor gives a friendly call –
No heat at the bingo hall.
Friends in Arizona boast,
Weather down there’s warm as toast.
They phone just to rub it in,
I can almost see them grin.
Winter visits us each year,
But what do have we to fear?
Just the thought of spring’s warm smile,
Almost makes this all worthwhile.
Truly, what could be more grand
Than this winter wonderland?
Wouldn’t it seem sadly strange
Not to see the seasons change?
So far, this midwest winter’s been rough,
The next month could still be tough.
’Though right now we’re in a bind,
Can springtime be far behind?
Emil Schmit is the 93 year old father of Pam Buttikofer, one of the owners of Imperfect Women. Emil continues to write although age and health issues have slowed him down a bit. He is a is a self-trained poet, free-lance writer, public speaker, and journalist. His weekly column, “Rhyme and Reason,” appeared for over twenty years in the Dubuque, Iowa daily newspaper, the Telegraph Herald. You can read more of Emil’s Bio here. The typewriter pictured on the bio page is one that he sat at for over 50 years creating many of his “rhymes and reasons.”
Liquid Rubber says
January 27, 2010 at 12:53 amWinter is my favorite season, I love snow fall, but never get a chance to enjoy the snow fall.
Scott huff says
January 27, 2010 at 7:26 amOh winter… It is a great time until everyone you know decides to move…….
Diane says
January 27, 2010 at 3:43 pmWhat can I say but I am at peace with winter time.At times in my life I was so stressed over snow and roads but I guess after all these years and experience I have acceptance:) I know for a fact I will never be a snow bird for each season has it unique beauty that brings joy to my heart.Guess my nature lover inner self would be to lonely without the fall colors and spring green.
Pam@IW says
January 27, 2010 at 5:02 pmI feel the same way you do Diane. I grew up and lived in Wisconsin for 25 years but I have lived in Los Angeles for almost 30 years and have missed winter every year. I love fall but I also love winter. I know that people think that is easy for me to say because I don’t have to live in it anymore but I really am a cold weather person. I am not a fan of extreme heat.
We have seasons but if you blink you might miss them. 😉
kimmie says
January 27, 2010 at 9:24 pmi live in indiana…we get varying amounts of snow and cold. we get all four seasons….i love it. and i don’t mind snow really. it is so beautiful.
‘course we really haven’t gotten what ks and iowa have.
Anya@IW says
January 27, 2010 at 10:54 pmI have lived in California all my life.
I remember one of the things my dad (a native Pennsylvanian) missed was the “true” changing of the seasons.
I am in northern California. We “do” have a change of seasons, but it is definitely subtle. I can find something to appreciate in each season, but I lean towards Fall as being my favorite time. Like Pam, I am not a fan of hot weather. I also do not like short days. In Fall, we get a decent length of daylight and chillier weather. The raking of leaves isn’t a lot of fun, but you can’t have everything.
I do admire the fortitude it takes to live in really cold climates. Part of me wants to experience it and part of me is a bit ‘ol chicken!
Mary says
January 28, 2010 at 2:18 amI hate the snow!! ha ha
I would love to be a snow bird for awhile!! Its snowing now, and I hate being out on the icy roads driving.
Maybe if I could stay at home and look out the window, I would enjoy much more. I do love the four seasons. To move away? I really don’t think I would be happy.
Samantha@IW says
January 28, 2010 at 10:10 amIn Summer I love Winter- in Winter, I hate it. I’m very anxious for Spring and warmer days!
Jennie@IW says
January 29, 2010 at 12:14 amAs I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate each season for what it has to offer: summer has long days and baseball, fall the changing of the leaves, winter has the holidays and opportunities for staying inside, eating hearty food and napping, and spring has all the beautiful flora blooming. I do live in a temperate climate so being too cold or too hot isn’t usually an issue, so my issues with each season have more to do with the associations they have for me.
Lily@IW says
January 30, 2010 at 6:51 amI love Emil’s writing, I am not a fan of Winter. After the first good snowfall and I go “how pretty”, I’m done and it can go away. I hate being layered in clothes, I would rather I never ever be cold (and wet). I like the sun, love all the other seasons and wait out the Winter. Winter complicates things and I believe I’m built to hibernate through it. It makes me sleepy. 🙂
Jeff says
February 2, 2010 at 11:46 amEmil,
You said a lot about the wonderfulness of season change and the beauty of fall and winter. But every time I end up in winter weather back in Wisconsin I remember that the beauty of winter is best realized from California!
Patrick says
February 3, 2010 at 7:09 amSledding, making snow angels, building snowmen and just playing outside in the snow were all fun activities as a child. As an adult I look at snow as a major inconvenience, I hate driving in it. But then I look out the window and see how beautiful the world looks all dressed in white and a little bit of that childhood love of it all creeps back into my heart.
Rosie says
January 17, 2017 at 10:25 amThat is a nice poem. I love winter, and the warm & cozy feelings you can have being snuggled up, watching the snow come down. Nothing is prettier than the sun sparkling on ice stopped snow pristine white! winter wonderland!
Kelly says
February 23, 2017 at 4:35 pmI love winter, but right about this time of year I am REALLY ready for spring. I too have friends in Arizona that laugh at me when I say it is negative degrees out. But I laugh at them when it is 115 in the shade during the summer in Arizona. I figure ya take the good with the bad and make the best of it.
Dotty J Boucher says
March 13, 2017 at 8:46 amI enjoyed reading your winter poem here, very nice work. I also got more snow here in MA. and its freezing out, sure hope Spring pops her head out soon..
@tisonlyme143
Cynthia R says
March 15, 2017 at 12:39 pmOur area has been pretty fortunate, we’ve had cold temperatures but only a few days of snow and ice. I couldn’t handle anymore than that.