From One Extreme to Another

Winter is a season of extremes. Technically, one more month to go. My mind looks at seasons as activities. There is an order to it. The build-up to Winter comes after Thanksgiving. Mid-December gives us an extreme number of social activities culminating with Christmas Day, then a mindless lull as we close a year and begin anew with New Year's Eve celebrations. Lots of football. Get it while you can. And hunting, a Southern tradition is in full swing.

We begin the new year with good intentions, a better you, and extremes in the weather, never knowing what you're going to get. We pass the time in rain boots, around fireplaces, early nights, incredible sunsets, and air conditioners, all the while knowing Mardi Gras will come and save us from the doldrums. Some of us even exercise and moderate to kick off the new year. These are all extreme conditions in the Scenic 98 Coastal area. Planning is extreme as kids' spring sports and travel are put in place. Lots of coming and going in the offering.

For me, St. Paddy’s Day is the transition day to Spring, and we are not far off. Outdoor music returns and a better variety of fresh local fruits and vegetables emerge. Fish start to move south again, the eagles north, and the alligators wake up and want baby alligators.  There are more and better days on the water. Spring break is a hodgepodge of school schedules and beachgoers and let's not forget the turkey hunters, the most passionate group of hunters there are.

I find comfort in knowing that life is marching on with each extreme. The conclusion of Mardi Gras brings deep satisfaction and appreciation that we have a unique way to break from Winter’s inside-of-darkness diet monotony. Festivals, crawfish boils, arts and crafts, farmers' markets, and that initial sunburn are moments away.

Let’s savor the last extremes of winter with a brief repentance from bad behavior now that Fat Tuesday has passed. Prepare. Get your golf swing back in shape, watch more sunsets, and anticipate the wedding season. It’s upon us once again. Yellow will soon be the color of Spring, then the fresh budding leaves of the pecan trees let us know warmer days are here to stay. Start booking your pressure washer of choice, and let’s not talk about tax season.

Get your mower blades sharpened, and make sure the boat is running. The nesting phase of the new year is finally complete, or as complete as it’s going to be. Spring springs eternal! Or something like that…Find a wharf or beach, or a festival to gather with friends. Arts and crafts and field trips are on the horizon.  Make the best of it and watch the transition from Winter to Spring in awe and fascination. After all, The Master’s is just weeks away. Then there’s no turning back!