Four Seasons and the Complete Madness of Human Beings

By a man who has noticed that no matter what the weather is doing, people are absolutely certain it should be doing something else.

Let’s begin in winter.

Winter is the time of year when human beings collectively forget that cold exists. Every single year, without fail, it arrives like an unexpected tax bill.

“Oh my goodness, it’s freezing,” people say. As if this has never happened before. As if January has, for centuries, been a tropical beach party and only now decided to experiment with frostbite.

In winter, people transform. Perfectly normal adults become layered, shuffling creatures wrapped in scarves, hats, gloves, and what appears to be a duvet stolen from a Marriott.

They step outside and immediately regret every life decision that led them to this moment.

“I can’t feel my face,” they mutter, as if that’s a surprise when the air itself feels like it’s been refrigerated by angry penguins.

And then, inevitably—inevitably—someone says it:

“I can’t wait for summer.”

Ah yes. Summer. That magical land where everything is better, and no one sweats through their own socks.

Hold that thought.

Because spring arrives.

Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s not get carried away.” It gives you one beautiful, perfect day—sunshine, birds chirping, a gentle breeze—and then immediately follows it with rain, mud, pollen, and a tornado just to keep expectations realistic.

Spring people are optimistic fools.

They step outside in a light jacket, smiling, saying things like, “It’s finally warming up!”

And then—bam—hail. Or sideways rain. Or a gust of wind that removes a patio chair and sends it to another county.

This is also tornado season, which is nature’s way of spinning the wheel and seeing whose shed gets relocated to Nebraska.

And yet, even as their trash cans are being lifted into the sky like some sort of suburban rapture, people still say:

“At least it’s not winter.”

Right.

Then comes summer.

And this is where the grand hypocrisy reveals itself.

Because summer, the season everyone begged for, arrives like an overenthusiastic houseguest who doesn’t understand boundaries.

It is hot.

Not pleasantly warm. Not “ooh, let’s have a picnic” warm.

No. It is the kind of heat that makes you question your ancestry.

You step outside and immediately begin to cook. Slowly. Like a brisket.

The air is thick. The humidity is oppressive. You are sweating in places you didn’t know could sweat.

And suddenly—suddenly—the very same people who, in January, were crying into their scarves are now saying:

“I hate this heat. I wish it was winter.”

Of course you do. Of course.

Summer people are delusional. They say things like, “It’s a dry heat,” while standing in what feels like a boiling soup of regret.

And let’s not forget the weather events.

Summer doesn’t just bring heat. Oh no. It brings hurricanes. Gigantic, swirling monsters that arrive with wind, rain, and the sort of enthusiasm usually reserved for rock concerts.

People stand in front of their televisions watching maps and saying, “It might turn.”

It never turns.

It always arrives, dumps an ocean on your house, floods everything, and leaves you wondering why you ever wished for sunshine in the first place.

And somewhere in the middle of all this, politicians appear.

They stand there, in rolled-up sleeves, looking concerned.

“We are monitoring the situation,” they say.

Of course you are. That’s what you do. You monitor. Meanwhile, Dave’s garage is floating down the street and someone’s lawn flamingo has achieved international travel.

Then—finally—fall.

Fall is the smug season.

It arrives quietly, with crisp air and golden leaves, as if to say, “You see? This is how it should be done.”

People love fall. They suddenly become philosophers.

“Look at the leaves,” they say, as if trees shedding their clothes is a profound life lesson and not just nature preparing for another round of misery.

They wear sweaters. They drink things with cinnamon in them. They go on about “cozy” like it’s a personality.

And for a brief, glorious moment, everyone agrees.

“This is perfect.”

But it isn’t.

Because lurking just around the corner is winter again, sharpening its icy knives and preparing to ruin everything.

And so the cycle continues.

In winter, we want summer.
In summer, we want winter.
In spring, we want stability.
In fall, we pretend we’ve found happiness.

But we haven’t.

Because the truth is, people don’t actually want a season.

They want control. They want sunshine when it suits them, rain only at night, snow exclusively on holidays, and absolutely no hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or politicians at any point.

Which, of course, is ridiculous.

Because weather, like life, does not care what you want.

It will freeze you, drench you, roast you, and occasionally throw your patio furniture into orbit.

And you?

You will stand there, year after year, shaking your fist at the sky, saying:

“I can’t wait for next season.”

Completely forgetting that when it arrives…

You’ll hate that one too.


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39 responses to “Four Seasons and the Complete Madness of Human Beings”

  1. kagould17 Avatar

    Loved this post. It indeed sums up the human condition as to weather perfectly. We are never satisfied with what weather we have at the moment. We do adapt to weather here. My favourite saying is “Weather is nothing more than the choice of appropriate clothing”. I often think that the great Canadian conversation is always about the weather, a safe topic, because talking about health or politics is even more depressing. Stay well and enjoy the season you are in. Allan

    Liked by 2 people

    1. AKings Avatar

      Canadians and the British love the weather discussions 😊.
      Oh and Allan, don’t mention the Ice Hockey to the Canadians for now. Might be a sore topic 😊.

      Like

      1. kagould17 Avatar

        Agreed. As to the hockey, I am Canadian and while I am disappointed, I am not distraught. So much rides on a one game playoff and depends on opportunities and effort. We did not lack for effort, but Hellebuyck did his job well. In the end, it was a close Gold medal game, just as these two teams often play, contrary to the eagle attacking goose post this AM.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. AKings Avatar

        I was partly cheering for the Canadian team too! 😊 I think any of the 2 teams winning is a great win for us non Scandinavians 😊.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Lynette d'Arty-Cross Avatar

    As another Canadian who chats sometimes with Allan about weather, I agree completely with both of you. Cheers.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. AKings Avatar

      Thank you Lynette 😊. I might head up to Canada in the summer to visit your little towns and ski resorts. My friend suggested that the ski resorts are better to visit in the summer. 😂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Lynette d'Arty-Cross Avatar

        There’s lots of good hiking. 😁

        Liked by 1 person

  3.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Very nicely summed up! Life is all about changes, seasons being an exemplary cycle of fluctuations that tend to come as a surprise every time. Christmas lurks and so on. Cheers!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. AKings Avatar
  4. heccateisis Avatar

    Well said…….as I sit here reading in the midst of a Nor’easter….sore from rounds of shoveling….

    Liked by 2 people

    1. AKings Avatar

      Get the snow blower out. ☺️
      I was watching this YouTube guy put heaters under his driveway. It sort of worked but slowly, and I wonder how much his electricity bill was!😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. heccateisis Avatar

        Pretty high I would guess

        Liked by 1 person

  5. KikiFikar Avatar

    I love this piece. I’m in the middle of a snow globe right now. A New York blizzard that has dumped 15 inches so far and promises another foot by tonight. I just had Pinterest open on my phone looking for gulf coast properties in Florida. The thing is I do love the 4 seasons. The rotation through life is truly a gift.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. AKings Avatar

      15” that’s unimaginable! ☺️. Move to Virginia or North Carolina, there would still be the 4 seasons but winter would be relatively milder… summer though… 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. KikiFikar Avatar

        It is in the running! We are on Long Island so we love coastal living. NC, VA, and FL are the contenders.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. AKings Avatar

        Oh good. Virginia and North Carolina have got a lot of beautiful coastal towns. The outer banks of NC are impressively beautiful but the area floods a lot and are susceptible to storms.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. KikiFikar Avatar

        My cousins are inland in Greensboro and also in Wilmington so we have scouts watching for us. I really do love it there.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. AKings Avatar

        Those are both university towns. But if you venture towards the little towns surrounding Raleigh- Wake Forest— down to the south east of Raleigh where the “pines” towns are (Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Whispering Pines, etc) you’ll find picturesque and quiet towns with a lot of nice people 😊.

        Like

  6. Jessica Moore Wilson Avatar

    Thank you for this reminder of how ridiculous it is to complain about something inevitable! Currently enjoying watching 2 feet of snow pour down from the skies, to cover the two feet of snow that was already on the ground.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. AKings Avatar

      We were warned here in Richmond that we were gonna get 2” of snow. Snow plows lined the road, salts and everything deployed… Then the snow didn’t happen. That’s this part of Virginia for you☺️.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Anne Avatar

    I have been thinking of you, after the loss of your mother, and missing your posts. This one is terrific. I spend a lot of time out in the weather, and I never, ever look forward to summer weather!

    Perhaps I am technologically inept (well, I am definitely inept!) but I do not know how to find the donate button…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. AKings Avatar

      Thank you so much, Anne ☺️. I think you have donated before, thank you so much for that 😊.

      Like

      1. Anne Avatar

        Yes, I did Donte before, but I cannot seem to find th button now!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. AKings Avatar

        Hi Anne, it’s on the upper right hand side, click on the two little horizontal lines. 😊

        Like

  8. Sharon My Journey Avatar

    YOU are a breath of fresh air for every season! Welcome back!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. AKings Avatar

      Thank you Sharon. I aim to please ☺️.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. rkcdlitt Avatar

    A law was made a distant moon ago here; July and August cannot be too hot, , , need I say more?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. AKings Avatar

      Really? That’s funny 🤣.

      Like

  10. Monkey's Tale Avatar

    And then we travel to escape the weather, and end up burning our fair skin in the blistering, hot sun! Great post. Maggie

    Liked by 2 people

    1. AKings Avatar
  11. CJ Antichow Avatar
    CJ Antichow

    So so funny and true!!

    Liked by 2 people

      1. CJ Antichow Avatar
        CJ Antichow

        Very entertaining!

        Liked by 1 person

    1. AKings Avatar

      Thanks Ana 😊

      Like

  12. emjemccarty Avatar

    usually i like the seasons. i can never pick a favorite. but this winter is somehow different…maybe i’m different…but i keep thinking–why would a hairless primate move north?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. AKings Avatar

      That’s a great question 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  13.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    I laughed so much I had to read it again – thanks for starting my day right after I said….”It’s 82 today, it was 50 yesterday, who do I talk to about this?”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. AKings Avatar

      Thank you so much ☺️

      Like

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