I keep seeing commercials for winter clothes and holiday decorations as I go back and forth from grading to watching television. Each ad mentions that "there's a chill in the air," or something similar. Here in Northeast Florida, on November 1, we're experiencing a brisk 94 degree "real-feel" and an actual temperature of 86. I'm not complaining; I'd rather have extreme heat than extreme cold any day of the year. Yesterday was perfect, and I did get outside a little bit. Today, though, I'm staying inside with the air conditioning blasting.
Two out of three of my sons will be here for Thanksgiving, along with one son's girlfriend, and our plan is to put up the Christmas tree after dinner. I never do my decorating so early, but this will be the first time in quite a while that I have been able to decorate my house for Christmas. I'm going to savor it. And that's the only time of year that I find the high temperatures off-putting: between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, when -- based on my lifetime of memories -- the weather should be cold. Even after nearly sixteen years in Florida, I just can't get used to having the AC on while cooking Thanksgiving dinner, or watching neighbors put up their Christmas lights while wearing shorts. It's just weird to me.
My oldest son feels the same way (and he hasn't lived in Florida, but has been here for Christmas in the past). For that reason, we've come to a compromise on our holiday-base; we'll alternate years, one at my house and the next at his. I think it's a good balance. And even though I'll be grateful this year not to be spending the holidays in the freezing cold, I am hoping that the temperature here is well below 94.
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