Weather: When family rubs it in!

I grew up in the Virgin Islands, so I didn't have to worry about shoveling snow or contending with weather any cooler than 74-degrees. Now, I don't write this to rub it in that I spent most of my life in the Caribbean, but I must say that Mother Nature has taken to making sure that I make up for lost time.

As if last winter wasn't bad enough, I am now in winter-shoveling shape-the muscles in my shoulders are tight, my back is sore and my fingers are frozen beyond recognition. And just believe that tomorrow, December 21st, is the official first day of winter.

The biggest kicker of the day is when I get a telephone call from my relatives in the Caribbean asking how we're dealing with the weather, because they were either watching CNN or the Weather Channel and heard that New England was getting walloped with snow. The conversation typically goes like this:

My Mother: "Hi sweetie! (Yes, Mom still calls me her sweetie! Don't be jealous.) I hear y'all are getting alot of snow?

Me: "Hi Ma! Yeah, we're getting some snow and I'm just getting ready to go outside and shovel."

My Mother: "Well, it's a beautiful day here in the Virgin Islands! It's probably 82-degrees and I think we're going to a beach party later on."

Me: "Thanks for not rubbing it in! [laughs]"

My Mother: "When I win the lottery, I'm going to send y'all some tickets so you can get out of the cold for a bit and relax at the beach and thaw out."

Me: "Just let me know! All I need is a pair of shorts, my bathing suit, some t-shirts and my sandals. I can fit everything in a carry-on."



The conversation continues, but I won't bore you with the details.

So, as I enjoy my third cup of coffee of the day and take two Alleve tablets, I hope your snow removal process went well, and you, too, aren't too sore.