As I Recall: How do you weather the weather?

To repeat a line delivered by Molly of the Fibber McGee and Molly radio program, "Whether it's cold, or whether it's hot, we'll have weather, whether or not." Thanks to the website www.otr.com I am able to hear the program which featured that line, in addition to many other of their broadcasts which were preserved by what would likely now be deemed the primitive process of transcription, a predecessor of audio tape. In any case, in that particular broadcast, despite Molly's consistent perfect delivery, the line did not receive the studio audience reaction of which I felt it was worthy. Whether the audience gave it the cold shoulder or was hot under the collar [all puns intended, of course] to respond with what I felt was the appropriate level of laughter, we will never know. Weather is one of many topics about which everyone has an opinion, and largely there is nothing which anyone can do to change it [the weather, that is...we can always change our opinion!] Accordingly, the reasonable and sensible reaction should be to develop an appreciation for the uniqueness of each season. As with most worthwhile endeavors, the preceding can be easier said than done. While others may admire the falling snow, inwardly I am groaning about the bitter cold which is necessary for its existence. Not that I cannot acknowledge its beauty, but I prefer to do so somewhat vicariously via such outlets as the movie White Christmas. By the same token, I realize that there are other opinions just as heated [whenever it appears applicable, assume all puns are intended] about the hot temperatures of summer. I have stated that all it takes for me to refrain from any complaint about the heat is to recall the piercing chill of the bitter wind. The ability to tolerate and cope well with any season can often be judged by the extent to which one may be able to obtain respite from its extreme effects. Winter has its "chestnuts roasting on an open fire" while summer has swimming pools, shade trees, and air conditioning. When I was growing up, swimming was an occasional treat, most often at a nearby public pool; sometimes at the home of a relative [my frugal yet generous aunt about whom I have written]; and less frequently if we took a summer vacation trip. However, one luxury which I can recall from my very early childhood was air conditioning, which was not common to a lot of homes in the area at that time. My parents had a Fedders window unit air conditioner which was located in their bedroom, but it was powerful enough to cool comfortably our entire one level ranch style home. Throughout the hot months, we had several opportunities to deepen our appreciation for the privilege which we had in our home. I was nearly 9 before my family had an automobile which had air conditioning, which again was not a standard feature at that time. The church which we attended at that time did not have air conditioning, and it was common to see the cardboard fans in constant motion throughout the congregation. Even though the school year began later than it does now, there were several weeks at the beginning of the term when all classroom windows were open and often lights in the classroom were turned off in order to minimize the effects of the heat. Neither of our grandparents' homes in southwest Virginia had air conditioning. The lack thereof was more noticeable at my maternal grandparents than my paternal grandparents, My father's parents lived in a hollow [otherwise referenced as "holler"] at the base of a wooded hill [which we called a mountain] and there was a creek at the edge of their property. Quite often a nice breeze could be felt on the front porch, which had two swings and a couple of couches which my grandmother called davonettes. Accordingly, the effects of most hot days was not felt as acutely there, and actually even on some summer evenings a blanket was needed on the bed in order to be comfortable. In contrast, my mother's parents, who lived only a few miles away from my father's parents, were located on the edge of the small town, and without the benefits of a lot of trees and a creek. At their home, window fans were utilized to create a breeze, which was not nearly as cool as the natural breezes of the hollow. On hot evenings everyone was outside either on the porch or in some metal chairs underneath the apple tree located on one side of the house. The challenge of trying to cool off was compounded by fighting the mosquitoes. Despite any physical discomforts, those memories leave me warm in the best way! ••• Mike Baker is a local author.