Frankly,
I'd rather visualize cold holiday moments instead of experiencing them, and
because we live in southeast Texas, we can watch other people dig themselves
out of the snow while we're running air conditioners year round.
A
Southern Christmas is different.
We
don't roast chestnuts over an open fire. When confronted with a roaring
campfire, Southerners are scrounging around for hot dogs and Shiner beer. If
Jack Frost tried to nip at a Texan's nose, ole Jack might find himself with a
nose as red as Rudolph's.
Still
some people wish for snow, sleigh rides and throwing snowballs. They think
they're missing something by not experiencing frigid temperatures and four feet
of snow outside.
But
let's consider the positives of a snow-less Christmas. First there's the mild
temperatures. We picked out our Christmas tree while wearing shorts and
sandals.
While
holiday shopping, I wasn't bundled up in a scarf and a bulky overcoat. I was
strolling along from shop to shop wearing sunglasses and short sleeves.
No snow
and sleet to slosh through.
No
blowing snow in my face.
Just an
easy saunter under a bright blue sky.
Like
me, our granddaughter loves a Southern winter. The temperature was still around
80 degrees this past Sunday, and she wanted to splash around with the water
hose.
Why
not, I thought, and I let her dance around the back yard in her pink bathing
suit.
I can
hear my cold-weather loving friends whispering my granddaughter could've had
just as much fun in the snow; but we spent one minute hanging up a wet bathing
suit to dry versus spending 30 minutes thawing out snow boots, socks, a scarf,
a heavy jacket, long johns and mittens.
I know
of what I speak. I grew up in Olean, N.Y., about 60 miles from Buffalo, one of
the coldest places in the country. We lived five blocks from the elementary
school, and we literally walked through hills of snow on our way to school.
Getting
ready required an extra 10 minutes just to snap up snow boots and layer on a
woolen vest, sweater, scarf, a hat and gloves and then 10 minutes extra at
school taking all those layers off and hanging them up where they'd dry out by
the time the 3 p.m. bell rang.
But no
matter the perks of a warm, Southern Christmas, we still love holiday songs
that revolve around snow and cold weather. I wish songwriters would come up
with songs that reflect a Southern Christmas. Instead of "Winter
Wonderland" lyrics, what about:
"Cowbells ring, are you
listenin'
On the gulf, waves are
glistening
A beautiful sight
We're happy tonight
Sitting on the beach in Whiskey
Bay."
Or what
about changing the words in "Frosty the Snowman:
"Ole Mike the Tiger
Loved the purple and the gold
Dashing all around Deaf Stadium
Growling make ole Bama fold.
There
are many more perks to a Southern Christmas. We never have to worry about strapping
snow chains on tires nor do we have to spend time protecting the truck's undersides
from salt damage after snow ploughs clear the roadways.
We
don't spend money on a winter wardrobe and a summer wardrobe – I own one
long-sleeved shirt and there's not a sweater in my closet. I never have to
rotate my clothes because I know even when the temperatures are in the 30's,
warm days are right around the corner.
In
fact, the weather forecasters are predicting the weekend weather should have
high's in the mid 70's.
Halleluiah,
y'all.
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