'Tis the Season

by Carol Light

I live in South Florida in a semitropical climate more hospitable to flamingos than reindeer. Even so, the holiday season is alive and well here, although I wouldn’t bet on Santa arriving on a snowy roof with his bundle of presents. And what would he do on that roof other than suffer heat stroke in his red suit? After all, there’s a distinct lack of chimneys in this area. While some of my neighbors have fireplaces, most of us don’t. It’s been several years since I’ve turned on my heater, and the thought of warming my house makes me break out in a sweat, which isn’t hard in the 80-degree weather we enjoy in December.

But, as I said, we do go into full holiday mode here. There are just a few slight differences to what you might be accustomed to experiencing. Holiday lights? Check. Here in South Florida strings of lights are everywhere. Palm tree trunks are wrapped in them, and sometimes the fronds are also decorated.

Snow? Actually, yes. In December, flurries are manufactured by a blower in our downtown shopping district for children to experience, and a mound of the white stuff is created each year in another part of town for climbing and snowball fights.

Music? Also check. The musical White Christmas is being performed at our local playhouse this month to temporarily transport us to a wintry place in another time, and I enjoyed The Messiah last week. The musicians, vocalists, and the choir were all dressed in long-sleeved black clothing that reminded us of our northern neighbors. Of course, for the audience, the air conditioning  necessitated a sweater or shawl over women’s bare shoulders, but sandals were worn despite the indoor chill.

I’ve lived in South Florida for thirty-five years, so I no longer do a double-take when I hear carols being played at the mall while shopping in shorts and a t-shirt. I love not having to put on layers of clothing and boots to go outside. I also love that our temperatures now have dropped from the summer heat, a welcome change that allows us to open our doors and windows and enjoy outdoor dining. And I love the flurry of activities that have restarted now that the snowbirds have come back to roost for the winter season. Unfortunately, I can’t say I feel the same for the traffic this time of year, but it’s a small price to pay for not having to shovel snow.

My first experience with a warm Christmas season was before I moved here from Indiana. As a young teacher, I worked in Australia, where the seasons are the reverse of the northern hemisphere. For the first time in my life, I had something I’d always wanted: My January birthday was in the summertime! Because Christmas was during our six-week summer school holiday, I was usually traveling to see more of that part of the world. Far from family, I celebrated with friends. It didn’t really seem like Christmas, but it was fun. I also realized how much I associated cold weather with the holidays. That’s why I’d be surprised in the middle of the Australian winter in July when there weren’t holiday decorations or music even though the chilly temperatures seem to call for them.

Now I’m used to a warm holiday season. Holiday sweater? Forget it! I’d be lucky to wear it one day a year if a cold front passed through. I do have a sparkly t-shirt. Hot cocoa? Again, usually not needed or desired when iced tea is more refreshing. But Christmas spirit and celebrating the true meaning of the holidays? Check and check. After all, this is the time of year to be grateful for our many blessings and to enjoy family and friends, whether it’s at the beach lounging in the sunshine or curled up in front of a cozy fire as snow blankets your roof. Location and climate don’t matter. It’s the season’s joy that truly warms our hearts.

Thank you, Liz, for having me here today. Happy holidays to all wherever you are and however you celebrate!

Carol Light is an avid reader and writer of mysteries, including the Windy City and Southern Secrets series from Tule Publishing. She loves creating amateur sleuths and complicating their normal lives with a crime that they must use their talents and wits to solve. She’s traveled worldwide and lived in Australia for eight years, teaching high school English and learning to speak “Strine.” Florida is now her home. If she’s not at the beach or writing, you can find her tackling quilting in much the same way that she figures out her mysteries—piece by piece, clue by clue.

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