“
The Hawk is out.” I’m not exactly sure what this means, but my dad used to say it whenever the temperature dipped below 32 degrees. I’m sure the precision of this measurement is cause for constant speculation among the Southwestern Philadelphia émigrés and expatriates. The bottom line, however, is that Philadelphia is cold. It’s no Chicago, but there’s no denying that there’s a chill in the air. Legions of commuters have already put in place a well thought out, borderline obsessive compulsive ritual wherein they prep their car for the morning commute. Everyone testifies to a tried and true theory of maintaining an engine’s ambient temperature. Tie and lap stains testify to the fact that – this time of year – people are sipping their coffee too hot. All of these emblems stem from a singular single-syllabled nemesis: cold.
When the holidays are over, the cold loses its appeal pretty quickly. We start yearning for the summer. Luckily, I get to work in an environment wherein we plan a perpetual summer. It’s always on our minds. Just the other day, I was having a conversation with my three-year-old, she with her hot chocolate and me with my coffee. She took a long pensive sip, wiped her mouth with her sleeve and after an obligatory “Ahh” informed me, “There’s nothing like a hot chocolate on a nice warm summer day.” Of course, she had her seasons confused and – after correction – amended her statement, but the fact of the matter remains that – though subliminal – she too yearns for the summer. (Perhaps she feeds off my summertime zeal.) So, save your pants and sip slowly; summer will be here soon enough. Let’s make it a great one!
