In their late 70s, Vern and Irene lived in a little house in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania. I’d visit them often as I roamed the East, selling Interactive Journals.
The weather became a huge point of concern. My parents would hunker down in what they called the Florida Room, a small back porch-like room enclosed by floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides.
Vern: “It’s going to be a scorcher today. Better close the shades early.”
Irene: “Not yet. Let’s keep the windows open to get some of that cool breeze from the west.”
Vern (turning the sound up on the TV weather channel): “Yep, weatherman Dan says we might get close to a record temp around noon.”
I’d sit in the big brown chair and listen to minute-by-minute weather prognostications for the next few hours. Windows would open and close. Shades would go up and down. Dan, the weatherman, would blather on and on.
Irene (in an authoritative voice): “Vern, don’t turn on the air conditioner until I close the windows.”
Vern (a little perturbed): “Shut the blinds while you’re at it.”
I’d go crazy and make up reasons I had to get on the road, regardless of the weather conditions.
Looking back now, I smile and notice how many of my friends make weather a major topic. I figure it comes with aging.
I have more important things to think about. I just can’t come up with them right now.
Hidden treasures