But what about the opposite? What about the middle of the winter doldrums?And I’m not talking about the cheery time between Thanksgiving and Christmas when everyone is warmed by fairy dust and cocoa. I mean the cold, dark nothing between New Years and Spring, when the sun sets before we get home from work and the frost claims all life.
Which is worse? The question reminds me of that Robert Frost poem, and it’s an argument my husband and I have every year in the middle of winter and the middle of summer. Without the modern conveniences of heating or air conditioning, which is worse: the heat of summer or the cold of winter?
“You can always put on an extra layer,” my husband reminds me.
“You can always jump into water,” I say.
“You can overheat to death,” he says.
“Just like you can freeze.”
“Build a fire,” he says.
“What if you don’t have wood?” I asked. “And our townhome doesn’t have a fireplace,” I remind him.
A year and a half ago, I was stuck for 12 hours in a terrible traffic jam caused by snow. It was a terrible experience made worse by the cold and darkness of winter. I still shudder to think about it. But a few summers prior, my air conditioner broke during a heat wave, and I spent the days dousing myself with water and sitting under a tree in the back yard. If I had to relive the experience, I’d always choose sitting under a shady tree in 100-degree weather.
So what do you think? Which is worse? The heat of summer, or the old of winter? Leave a comment below, then fill out the RaffleCopter for a chance to win.
What’s the prize? Here are some clues:
- I am a writer;
- I would love to win this prize;
- My favorite poem is “I Heard a Bird Sing” by Oliver Herford, a poem introduced to me by my first-grade teacher, who also set me on the path to writing. I could find this poem using this prize;
- When I was stuck for days without a working air conditioner, I took solace in reading books;
- I believe people don’t read enough these days;
- With this prize, you can purchase a copy of my mystery novel, Corgi Capers, or my romance novella, For Whom My Heart Beats Eternal;
- You must have a valid email address to receive this prize;
- Even if you don’t like to read, this prize will still make you happy 🙂
Want to enter? Use the RaffleCopter below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The heat of summer is worse for me. Thanks for the chance to win!
I love summer
I love summer! Hate the cold, it’s awful:)
Heat of summer is way worse because of the humidity.
I think summer is best for me, but I’ve never particularly disliked either season. 🙂
I love summer but I would go crazy with out air condition I am not a fan of being all sweaty!
Definitely the heat! Summer and I are not friends, I overheat quickly!
I think right now I would say Summer, its been so crazy hot this year. We went out this week , no ac in the car so we had our windows down which didn’t help cause the air was so hot.
Love summer but without AC or the pool I would die!
Trust me, I feel the same way. In this sweltering heat, I wish winter would come soon but when its winter, I cant wait for it to end.
I’m Indian, so I’m not used to such extreme climates and trust me, its tough! 🙂
The heat of summer is way worse for me especially because it is extremely humid where I live. If it is cold out I can always bundle up to get warm, but the heat of summer feels inescapable to me.
I think the heat is way worse, but I still can’t help loving summer!
Definitely the heat, not a fan 🙁
I don’t like extreme heat, but extreme cold and snow is worse for me.
I agree with everybody’s argument that heat is worse than cold because you can put on more layers in the cold, blah, blah, blah. I just would rather be hot than be cold. I think being cold is one of the worst feelings in the world. It’s often easy to cool off once you get in some air conditioning, but once your cold it takes FOREVER to warm up! Can you tell I’ve had this argument a few times 😉
Thanks for the giveaway!!
I live in South MS and we don’t get what I call a Winter down here. Either that or I am going through menopause(?)…LOL
Anyway, I have always been a fan of winter. I hope to get to go North one year to experience snow and then I can say”Never mind, I’ll take the heat..”
Thanks for the hop.
Thanks for the chance to win. I could use a new book so I have something to do inside… its too hot outside!
Ugh, I hate the summer. I love the cold and can’t stand the heat.
I’m not of fan of hot or cold with heat and A/C 🙂 I guess I’d rather have it cold because you could always add more blankets, layers, etc.!
I like being hot better than being cold. I don’t know why, but maybe it’s just because I seem more miserable in the winter than in the summer. That could be due to school, though. 😉 Thanks for the giveaway!
I prefer the cold to the heat. I do agree that with the cold you can always bundle to the perfect preferred temp. If it is too hot however it is harder for me to cool down so even though I grew up down south with the heat I prefer the cold.
I always like the season best that I’m not currently in. If it’s winter, I’m wishing it was summer. If it is summer, then, I wish it was winter. But I also think there are advantages to each season. In the winter time, I love putting on my scarf, hat and gloves (if it gets that cold in Georgia) and going for a brisk walk. Only in summertime though can I sit on the back porch in my shorts and tank top and feel the warmth of the sun while I read.
I hate the heat, and love the cold weather, but I think it’s because we don’t really have much of a winter down here in TX.
I prefer the cold.
The heat is worse. In the winter I can bundle up when going outside. Nothing can be done about 100 degree weather.
I live in an area with mild winters (no snow), so summer heat bothers me much more.
I swear this heat is going to melt me into a pile of pudding O_o Thanks for the giveaway! 😀
I prefer the cold, because then I can wear layers upon layers of winter clothes to hide my fat…but then I will have to do more laundry…ah, the agony!
I suspect this might be a gift card~~
Anyway, thank you so much for the giveaway! I have my fingers and toes crossed!
Lilian @ A Novel Toybox
I know all about heat! I live in Florida, and it is disgusting out right now!
And I also think I know what the prize is, and if I’m right, I’m really excited!
Thanks!
I love the summer, but can do without the extreme heat…LOL
Sounds like an awesome surprise!
to me the cold is much worse than the heat
I’d rather cold. I live in the middle of no where & theres tons of trees around for a fire.
I think the prize is PayPal cash! And I’m a winter girl 🙂 Theres nothing like cozying up with a good book!
The heat of summer, you can only take so much off. In winter you can put on layers to keep warm.
I don’t like extremes either way: too hot or too cold!
Thanks for a fantabulous giveaway!
I would much rather have the old of winter. I can’t stand the heat of summer! Haha. 🙂
I always prefer being warm – FL girl here.
the heat of summer
Winter is definitely better!
The summer is worse for me because I like the cold. But I am more of an autumn kind of guy. Good tennis weather.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by! I was surprised at how many people agree with my husband, that cold is preferable to the heat. For me, it’s all about the plants and flowers and animals (yes, even bugs!) that thrive during summer, whereas winter for me feels lifeless and dead.
The winner of the Amazon gift card (a prize which I’m sure many of you guessed) is Dana C. (Dana, check your email!)
I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the summer–and those of you who prefer the cold, have an awesome winter!
-Val