Living in Texas since 1996, winters have slowly become better known as “a cooler summer.”  Just a couple of weeks ago some friend posted on Facebook, “It’s 82 degrees in Austin!” That’s 28 degrees Celsius for the rest of the world.  I thought to myself, “What is going on?  I can’t live in an environment where I can’t wear a nice sweater, peacoat, scarf, and gloves.”  (Most of which I purchased in Paris).  Now there’s nothing wrong with some warmth, but to be drenched in Texas heat for 80% of the year is just diabolical, Mother Nature, and I don’t like it one bit.  But it’s more than just what I like and my preference.  Thanksgiving is over and done with and that can mean only one thing…

IT’S CHRISTMAS TIME!

There is absolutely no better time of the year than Christmas season.  The warm feeling when you’re with family and friends to offset what should be a freezing weather pattern outdoors.  The music, the movies, the holiday drinks from Starbucks, and the movies!  Who doesn’t love wearing layers of clothes at home and watching Home Alone?  I dare you to tell me otherwise!  But an important aspect of the whole Christmas holiday season is the weather.  The cold wind blowing as flakes of snow slowly drift down and land subtly on your nose and begin to blanket the ground.  You see it in any film and in any décor that has any relevance to Christmas.  But, sadly, I can’t get the full experience in Texas.  And with the whole global warming conspiracy, who knows what the weather will be like next winter, and the winter after that, etc. etc.  So for today, I would like to take the time and give a belated thanks for this opportunity to be in Paris, where the temperatures are below freezing, the wind is soft and welcomed, and snow has slowly fallen below our feet.  Maybe I can witness a winter I long for and miss from my time in Chicago before I have to return to “a cooler summer.”