At Odds

It is still January in Iowa and I've already witnessed a chasm growing between two groups of people in the state when it comes to one word...

Spring

If you listen to what seems like a majority of the people you would conclude that those who are in favor of Winter are that 'small, oddball group' of individuals who enjoy Winter sports, such as snowball throwing and waterer de-icing.  Actually, to be honest, I have been known to put a snowball or two in the freezer just so I can throw one in July... or whenever it seems like we might be having the hottest day of the year.  One important rule to remember if you decide to do that: don't throw the snowball at anything you would rather not damage.  Things like someone's head or a priceless vase are off-limits.  Ok, both of those are probably off-limits in Winter too, but I think you get the point.

Well folks, there is another group of people who are often quite content to let Winter be Winter during its normal months of the year.  This group is inclined to get very grumpy if Winter decides to encroach at other points in time, but when it is time to be Winter, these folk are just fine with it being what it is.  And, in fact, they often prefer that Winter do its thing and Spring need not arrive early to the party.  Just in time is just fine.

Who are these people?

Farmers

Look, most of us have gone through school systems that included a Summer vacation, right?  Do you remember how you felt when the calendar was turned to August and all of those irritating "Back to School" flyers and advertisements could be seen everywhere you looked?  That's ALMOST how farmers feel once the words, "I'm sure you can't wait for Spring!" cross the lips of another individual who might know what a rutabega plant looks like.  Actually, the gardeners are often the worst of the lot when it comes to asking the farmer about looking forward to Spring.  They're more likely to know what a rutabega plant looks like, but they probably don't know what it is like to care for a few thousand of them and all of their relatives at one time.

Teachers of all sorts know exactly what I am talking about here.  Winter is a farmer's Summer vacation.  Yes, yes.  There is still plenty to do, but the all-absorbing nature of teaching or farming when it is the season can leave us feeling a bit jealous of our time when it is NOT the season.  It's not that teachers and farmers don't like what they do.  In fact, they probably need to like it quite a bit in order to keep doing these jobs.  But, farmers and teachers like having a little time to do all of the other things in life that they don't get to do during the school year / growing season. 

So.  Are we looking forward to Spring?  Sure.  Are we ready for Spring? No.  But, we will be when it is time for Spring to be here.  And, I'll be sure to have a few snowballs in the freezer as well.