Liberation!

At last! Colder weather.

Tonight I stood on my balcony, eager to taste the recompense of my long-suffered summer. There I beamed a smile into the brisk sizzle of the evening rain. The wash of cold air tumbled in through the open windows.

It was beautiful.

I felt like a farmer, welcoming a conquering army. I was liberated.

The thousand-mile front of winter air slowly plodded into our town as like a slow, irresistible juggernaut. Push on, dear troops! Take hold of this land and fortify yourself with frost and mist. Strip bare the leaves and crunch them underfoot. Mask the sun and draw the sunset ever earlier in the warmth’s reproach. I will gladly wear the thicker threads that you demand, stomp my feet and rub my hands for warmth, feigning protest at the brisker bite of air.

I have felt my share of suns, perspired ten thousand hours in the deserts far from my home, felt the persistent musk of summer as it clung to the Texas winter. It is time, at last, to chill.

Come rain, come snow, come long, dreary gray. I am ready.

Might even break out the turtleneck if trends continue.

There’s just something about the rain and cooler air that I love. I’m spoiled in that I have heat to warm myself, I realize. But there this comfort in sitting, comfortable in heat and clothes, looking out into the wilds of unfriendly climes. Whether its rain or snow, wind or cold, I feel at ease. Even when I’m out in the stuff, camping or sitting, shivering in a humvee before a mission, there’s still this promise of warmth and that same relaxing feeling.

Compared with summer, where I’m constantly uncomfortable, clammy and unable to strip (damn the military and its “regulations”!).

So, call me strange, but I’m going to enjoy the season. More importantly, I’m going to enjoy it NOT being 80 degrees in October any longer. Whether you are for or against Al Gore and his philosophy, warmer weather year round is a bitch. No thanks!

I’d much rather put on another layer than sit, stewing in ones I can’t discard. Call me crazy. Oh, I have to put on a jacket? Darn. You mean I won’t sweat all day? Drat.

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