Summer is over and winter is beginning to give us her cold shoulder. The only way I can really handle winter is the hope of summer coming again in all her warm embraces. I can only take the shivers for so long.

In our home, there is a divide over the subject. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage lives for winter and I live for summer. How two people who can be so opposite and still live together harmoniously is one of the mysteries of matrimonial bliss. I endure her complaining about how hot it is during the summer and she somehow endures my shivering throughout the winter. And boy, do I shiver.

I am not so sure what it is about winter that is so fascinating for her. Maybe it is because she gets to wear more clothing than she can during the summer. Or, maybe she just likes the cold. That is not exactly true because once I gave her a cold shoulder and I have been paying for that ever since. She does have that cold stare when I am in trouble, but that comes during the summer as well as the rest of the year.

Maybe she likes winter because in the middle of winter is Christmas. If anybody loves Christmas, it is my wife. She begins her Christmas planning in January and knows exactly what she is going to buy throughout the year. I think it has something to do with when things go on sale or something like that. Personally, and do not let this get back to her, I think it is just an excuse to go shopping. I will not say she is a Shopaholic, but give her a coupon and she is off to the mall. You did not hear it from me.

Also during the winter season is Thanksgiving where my wife outdoes herself in making Thanksgiving dinner for all the family. She makes enough for an army and out of deep respect for her, I eat like an army. Actually, I eat until I hear that little whisper from the other end of the table, “Don’t you think you have had enough?” What she does not understand is, when I am eating I am not thinking.

As for me, I enjoy summer and all the laziness associated with summertime. All those lazy, crazy days of summer were designed for people just like me. When it comes to lazy and crazy, I am the expert.

I can remember years ago when I was doing something and my wife thought it was a little out of line, she would say, “Are you acting crazy?”

She does not say that anymore because she has concluded, and rightly so, that I am not an actor. If I were acting, she is sure I would get an Oscar.

However, something about summer makes a person slow down a little bit and not be in such a hurry. One of my excuses is that it is too hot to do anything today. I love that excuse because my wife always agrees. I cannot use that excuse in winter for obvious reasons. According to her, an activity will warm me up. I have never warmed up to that idea.

I like summer because there are so many fun opportunities to get together with family. Every summer we go and spend a week with my son and his family, which is one of the highlights of the summer. I only have one week out of the year to spoil his children so I try to make the best of it.

If I had the ability to manipulate seasons, I would make sure that 11 months out of the year it would be summer. I would have to give one month to my wife for winter, but I would only give her one month. That is about all I can handle. Summer is a time to enjoy the nature God has created. It is wonderful to see green grass and green leaves on the trees and watching blossoms turn into full-fledged flowers.

What could be better than sitting on the back porch with a tall glass of iced lemonade watching the sunset? I love hearing the crickets in full concert and that only happens during the summer. Here in Floridawe have little frogs that think they are crickets and chime in adding their voice to the evening music.

Did I mention picnics?

What would summer be without a picnic? In my mind, a picnic is an excuse to overindulge in the fine art of stuffing yourself. The picnic is a little different so that somebody cannot query me with, “Don’t you think you’ve had enough?” The “Food Whisperer” is not allowed at picnics. After all, at a church picnic it is imperative that I sample every dish brought to the picnic. I do not want to leave anybody out on this. The picnic is the time to let down your hair, if you have any, and just enjoy food and fellowship.

It amazes me how fast time flies when you are not paying attention. King Solomonunderstood this when he wrote,“To every thing there isa season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven”(Ecclesiastes 3:1).

One man’s winter is another man’s summer and the joy of life is learning to appreciate what you may not really like.