Differences

What we left: Sun, sun, sun. Warmth, warmth, warmth. Windows down in the car while speeding across the beeline to the beach. Drinks on the beach when we decided we would go the Hilton beachfront. A bottle of wine as the sun went down, a little chevre on crackers. Feet buried in the sand as the day cooled off, and sweatshirts on. We thought we were freezing. It was 65 degrees. Palm trees-- who knew I loved them so much?

What we returned to: Ice covered roads and driveway that necessitated a slow shuffle walk all the way down the drive to take the trash out. Boots-- heavy laced up boots and slush inches deep in the gutters of Detroit. Trees covered by white layers of snow. The heavy white noise of the heater blasting in the car. Coughs aggravated by the cold air, deep racking coughs.

My response to Michigan upon our return: I hate this. I fucking hate this. I hate the winter and can't even pretend. Okay-- I like it for the first two weeks of deep snuggling under blankets with cats curled up on laps. But mostly I said, "Isn't this awful?"

Partner's response to Michigan upon our return: "Isn't it beautiful?"

(She's really too good. Sometimes I think I live with Pollyanna.)

(I missed you all!)