Poll: Do You Miss Winter?
Northern Illinois has been hit with extremely hot weather this summer.
Remember when you could go outside and not worry about collapsing from heat exhaustion?
The past week has seen temperatures routinely climb into the upper 90s and low 100s. Heat warnings have been issued. Cooling centers opened. Fireworks displays canceled.
Ordinarily summer is something we in northern Illinois look forward to with great anticipation. It's much preferred to the long, gray, cold winter. Finally we get to go outside and do things and have fun.
Not so much this year.
This year summer has meant huddling indoors to shield yourself from the beating sun. And you can't just start your car and go. Now you have to start your car and let the air condition run for a while to cool it off before getting inside because the interior is like 200 degrees.
Towns have begun to ban watering. And people live in fear of electricity outages that will force them from their homes and into the local mall or movie theater.
Are we actually starting to miss winter?
Ronda Goldman1
7:29 am on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Let's see. Why would I miss driving in blizzards, shoveling snow, worrying about ice on the road when I drive, wearing heavy coats and gloves, wearing dark dreary clothing, and all of the other mundane things associated with wintery conditions? My answer is a resounding "NO".
Willie Wilmette
4:06 pm on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Miss Winter?
No we miss spring!
Louanne
8:39 am on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Heavy socks or bare feet? Boots or sandals? Multi layers or tank tops? Long johns or capris? Winter coat, hat gloves or maybe a light sweater for a cool summer night? Shoveling snow or stepping outside to pretty flowers? Gray skies or sunny skies? Frigid breeze or warm calm breeze? Frozen tree branches or trees gently swaying? I could do this all day. I'll take Summer!
victoria smith
8:51 am on Sunday, July 8, 2012
I like seasons that are actually seasons! Spring, 65 degree's, Summer in the 80's, Fall,in the 50's and Winter with snow until January. Guess I must be thinking how it USED to be when I was growing up. Oh well, it is what it is! That's why we live here because of the diversity in weather changes! Gotta love it!
Andy Slater
9:11 am on Sunday, July 8, 2012
No not at all. I can't stand the winter. I would take 110 with 70% humidity any day over snow.
Bruce
9:19 am on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Oh, the anticipation! I can hardly wait to find out if this is the fault of the Democrats or the Republicans...
Sandra Sims
9:56 am on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Do you have to ask? Of COURSE it's all Obama's fault.
RB
10:23 am on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Bruce, on this board....it will be Mr. Obama's fault. They probably read on Newsmax or heard on FAUX News that he's taxing sunshine and snow!
Personally, there a several reasons I live in Illinois and winter is not particularly the strongest one. I live here mostly due to the Human Rights that Illinois Government has passed laws protecting. Maybe 70 degrees in Florida is January is nice, but you're still living amongst some of the most right wing folks in the US. The social safeguards are being taken away there, so it will be ugly for a long time. Gated Communities, strip clubs, pain centers and Walmarts....ain't worth the sunshine.
Dan Arenov
10:27 am on Sunday, July 8, 2012
leave it to the critical thinkers like Sandra and RB to chime in.
LaVerne
10:54 am on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Actually since Obama claims everything is Bush"s fault even thos his party had total control first two years of hi being presient IT MUST BE
Anne
10:10 am on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Summer hands down!!! You get so much more done when the sun is shining! My Mom always says, "Don't waste the sunny days!" I'm loving the abundance of sunshine after the beating we took last year! Snow and more snow that turned into rain and more rain! Sun over gloom? Bring it!!
Dan Arenov
10:35 am on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Both winter and summer have extreme stretches of weather, especially when you are in a northern clime like we are.
This recent heat wave (three consecutive days of 100 degree plus temps) has been recorded only two other times in Chicago history. Compare this to places like Arizona, Nevada or Texas, where a 100 degree max temp day might be the start of a cooling trend.
I agree with most of the other posters.. hot weather (to us) may be miserable, but at least you aren't dealing with driving in ice, dealing with the car not starting...20 minute trips don't end up taking an hour, etc. Did i mention frostbite?
McCloud
11:06 am on Sunday, July 8, 2012
I think I have a handle on this, throw in a Koch brother, Cheney and maybe Faux news as the culprit.
Craig Apelbaum
11:56 am on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Yes I miss winter, and the snow. And below zero temperaturures. I wish it was cold again.
Jilly
4:44 pm on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Craig, that makes two of us. In the summer there is just so much clothing you can take off before you get arrested. At least in the winter you can put clothes on to be comfortable. Buffalo Grove is beautiful in winter.
Skip
12:45 pm on Sunday, July 8, 2012
An immutable law of physical science: No-one has every had to shovel or scrape summer sunshine.
jim
1:35 pm on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Skip
Thats what I tell people. Don't have to sovel in sumer or when it rains (wish it would)
John Smickles
1:58 pm on Sunday, July 8, 2012
The warm bathtub thing creeps me out
Rosalind M. Wallace
2:50 pm on Sunday, July 8, 2012
My solution to the heat has been very productive actually. I have cleaned and arranged all my cupboards, closets and pantry, read, embroidered, learned more about my computer, finished Chapter 16 on a book I am writing and made some cool salads for our dinners. We have enjoyed the Cubs games in the confines of our cool living room and actually got my hubby to play Scrabble. Ah, retirement isn't boring at all...our last tip is that we do our errands after the sun goes down and reward ourselves with a delicious ice cream cone. No matter what the weather is, you can adjust if you have ambition, are inventive, like to do crafts and enjoy cooking.