It is cold, but I guess I’m okay with that

Walking out of the house this morning, the mercury reads 20 F.  Frost has seized the grass that crunches beneath my feet and the extremities of my vehicle.  It smells like winter; a blend of dry, frigid air mixed with the aroma of burning wood. As my breath condenses into water vapor, I insert my key into the ignition to warm up the car before heading to work.  The sky threatens of snow, as gray clouds collide to form a low ceiling of gloom.

 

Moving from South Florida back to New Jersey has been an adjustment to say the least.

Living back with the family and renewing the northeastern attitudes have been cake, but the most glaring difference has been the weather. 

 Down there it’s in the 50’s and people are complaining that it is cold.   The forecast for Palm Beach this week is dry and sunny everyday with little chance of precipitation.  The weather isn’t the key variable though; weather merely reflects the tone of residents and the overall mood of the area.  In Florida, it is always the weekend, life’s always a beach, and it is probably 5 o’clock somewhere (I hate you Jimmy Buffett).  Here in New Jersey life is all about the deep water ports and the coming and going of personnel and goods.  Cheaper, suburban living is constantly sought out as most commute into the Big City.  The time to work is always, and everyone a hustler.  If you want to make a buck, then here is the place. Sleep is for the weak and the pace is quickened.  Walk briskly with your head down, your iPod blaring, and your coat drawn.   

Sometimes I miss my life in the South, but I guess I’m okay with Jersey for now, at least this is home.