16 years ago this week, we moved from sunny SoCal to Cincinnati, Ohio. And the view from our windows (above) was exactly the same as it is now. Because it turns out:
They have winter here this time every year!
As my old friend Allen put it, there are two seasons in southern California: Summer and Not Summer. I used to winterize our apartment by closing the windows. My cold weather wardrobe consisted of: socks.
Right before we moved, a new acquaintance in Cincinnati asked me if I’d ever seen snow. I laughed. “Of course! We go to the snow every year,” by which I meant we’d get in the car and drive up to the local mountains for the day. He laughed and said, “Ah, well, here we don’t go to the snow. It comes to us.”
“How convenient,” I thought.
And it doesn’t even need an Uber.
Honestly? I love snow. I enjoy having four full seasons. Although each season has its downside (there’s a metaphor in there somewhere, but I’m too lazy to explore it): Spring has weeds, plus grass, grass and more grass. Summer has still more weeds–and sweat. Fall has endless raking. And Winter has driveway-shoveling and cars stuck in ditches.
Fortunately, our winter has been mild this year (so far). Mostly just pretty layers of vanilla frosting on everything. And so, inspired by the view from my office window, I’ll close with this ode (eat your heart out, Robert Frost):
Winter found a bit of snow
still left in his bag, so he let it blow.
And here it is—quite nice, you know?
Not deep, just right, no cars to tow,
and soon enough the grass will grow.
But I can wait.
I hate to mow.
Mitch Teemley 
Summer and NotSummer ha, great definitions. I have lived in such places and although I might grumble in the chill of winter, I do really enjoy clear changing seasons 🙂
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The snow makes beautiful pictures and that’s exactly how I like it – looking at it in pictures!
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Ha! Living in Central Florida I can relate. Although we never get snow, except the one night in 1977. It was a “vanilla frosting” as you say, but to me it was a blizzard! I even made my first, albeit, tiny snowman. Seriously, he was only 3” tall at most. I saved him in our freezer.
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Understandable. Florida Snowmen are nearly as rare as the Abominable kind.
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Clever poem. Nice. We moved to Florida for the very reason, snow, that is NO snow. Samii grew up in Indiana where there are two seasons, Winter and not quite winter. She dreamed of warmer climates. That made CA or FL our choices. I visit family in CT and that’s about enough snow for me. Love to you and the family. blessings,J & S
Joseph Yakovetic 4480 Powderhorn Place Drive Clermont, Florida 34711
mobile: 909.241.6088
SDG Soli Deo Gloria “To God Alone the Glory”
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And the same to you and Samii, Joe!
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Clermont? That’s where our family roots go deep. Citrus was my grandparents livelihood when they moved there in 1922 from OK.
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My husband would rather mow than shovel! LOL!
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Me too, actually. But with this light, wet snow I haven’t had to (so far). A little ice-melt does the trick (expensive but effective).
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😊
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Thank you very much for sharing this wonderful poem, Mitch! Maybe now i will love snow a little bit more. 😉 At least you only need the best environment for it, and snow is the best ever. 🙂 Have a beautiful day/ evening. Michael
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You too, Michael.
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Yes, moving rom south Georgia to Iowa…similar situation. As long as I don’t have to drive I can deal with the snow but this year has not been mild, at least January has not. 3rd winter storm in two weeks. I could deal with a little Southern Cal right about now.
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I love the snow… in far away places!
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I love winter too. I’m not especially fond of the single digits. But I love seeing white on the mountains and the trees.
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I’ve lived in Wisconsin my entire life. I’m a four-seasons kinda gal. I do wish winter would give a few extra weeks to spring though. I’m an old enough gal, though, that a trip to someplace warmer for a week or four in mid-winter is sounding pretty good to me.
Snow is steadily falling here today and, if the weather forecast is right, bitter cold will follow. But, from where I sit by my picture window, my crabapple tree is frosted with snow and dotted with red cardinals and a boisterous bluejay. Enjoy the winter frosting!
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Thanks, you too!
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This is my first year, ever, of living where is snows. It’s kind of nice and I get a break from lawn mowing. In NorCal our winter wardrobe included socks and long pants – sometimes even long sleeve shirts …
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You must have been sweltering in all that.
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I love the snow and I love your poem. It fits rightly so I would hate to mow myself.
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;>) Thanks, Crystal.
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Indeed. Actual winter is really not Not Summer. You have reminded me of what my dad said the first winter he spent in Kentucky, after having lived in California for -ahem- his entire life: “It looks like a Christmas card! But I guess, really, Christmas cards look like this.”
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He had a point!
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I love the four seasons. It’s like getting a second chance four times a year.
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We had a white, 5”, Christmas which was more than we wanted. You may keep anymore of the flat, thin, white rain drops up yonder. You have our permission and blessing.
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Roger that, Rocky.
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👍🏼
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You’re so lucky it snows in the United States. My country has been hot for decades. No leather pants at all, only a tank top and shorts all day long. I am considering moving to the US because I can’t take it(inserts inner tears). I bet mowing is kinda fun(I have no idea, lol.)
Lovely poem, though.
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Big challenges, but if that’s the way God leads you to go, then that’s the way you should go, Tega.
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I love your SoCal seasons never lived there but have visited a few times. I’m in the midwest where our total accumulation is a bit over 21 inches today and sub 0 temps. I’ve seen or rather shoveled enough to be over the vanilla frosting look–ready for the change of season. Your Ode to Winter is great!
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Thanks, Manette.
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Thanks for the chuckles 😁
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I agree with Robert Frost, that’s the perfect amount of snow. Thanks for sharing this peaceful post, and I’m glad you learned to like having four seasons. I do too, although I admit I’d rather they weren’t all the same length……
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Our new neighbors from so-Cal have yet to ” find their socks”! I, on the other hand, coming from Nthern CA found my socks and long underwear before Fall!😊 Nice post to start my day.😉
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Yesterday, it came down in sheets but, by the end of the day, had melted off of the cars and sidewalks. PERFECT!
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I am in Columbus and I think the only downfall to Ohio Winter is the gray🤍
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Must be a big transition from two different states!
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Two very different states (culturally too).
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I bet!
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Robert Frost had the correct name for winter-related poetry. Hi Mitch. Spring will be here before we know it.
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Yes!
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