Seasons

I'm well into month No. 4 in Texas and have almost survived my first summer in the sweltering Dallas metro heat. I wasn't too worried about the heat. I grew up working in the fields under the West Texas sun. Now the tough part is coming.


Can't quite figure out why none of the neighbors' trees are losing their leaves, yet our tree is changing color and losing its leaves. Yes, it's still hot here.

Nonetheless, the falling leaves and the orange and black Halloween displays are reminding me that fall and then winter are near. Yes, this is the time of year when I get so excited about all the fun stuff ahead - Octoberfest, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. But, I'm worried. I fear winter.

If you remember, I whined like a big baby last year when the temperatures dropped in the Tampa Bay area. To be fair, we didn't have heat in our house. But while it was in the 40s and 30s in Florida, it was a sustained cold in the Dallas area, including snow on Christmas eve. I've always been of the mind that if I want to see snow on Christmas eve, I'll shake a snow globe. The real thing, I'm fine without.

Only time will tell if this is a normal "mild" winter in the metro area, or another unusually cold season. I've unpacked the old sweaters, dusted off the boots and they sit in the closet - ready. Now, I'm checking out the airline sales and wondering if I should start booking flights now, or save my miles and book a flight the next time the weather forecast is snow.

Fortunately, part of my area in Texas includes El Paso. I think it's warmer there. I might be in El Paso a lot.