Front Row Seat

Sometimes when seating is limited and the attraction promises to be entertaining, we are advised to get there early so we can get a good seat. I’ve always felt a little guilty though on being the early one for something with a limited supply, as I cannot help but think of the poor fellow who is turned away and doesn’t get anything for his time and effort. However, with some things a delay is desired. For instance, with winter there’s plenty to go around and everybody gets their fill, sometimes even a face full before the show is over.

Winter comes every year without any effort on our part, and this year everyone seems to agree it came too early – especially the cold (others say it’s the snow). Either way we are driven indoors where it’s warm and dry. Outside the un-raked leaves and plump garden hoses are left to fend for themselves.

This year winter slammed the door on camping, golf, walks, and other fall activities that can usually be carried into November. To say winter came without warning is silly, as it comes every year, but this year most of October was so pleasant that the end of fall was abrupt and cruel.

Of the four, autumn is my favorite season, and I prefer a gradual change to the winter-like feeling over several weeks: Somewhere in the upper 60’s, changing to 50, then to 40, and then down from there. I may be wrong, but it seems that this year we were flirting with the fifties and a couple days later the cold north wind slapped us in the face.

The holiday season is looming and soon will overtake us. There will be talk of going here and there, and people will show up at the door laden with odd-shaped bags cleverly concealing crocks and pots. The noise level will increase and people will sit in my chair without hesitation or invitation.

I can already feel the pull from the private quarters of our house drawing me to safety and solitude. I usually don’t close the door behind me, as I don’t want to give our guests the wrong idea. My perceptive daughter will usually come looking for me and ask, “What are you doing?” or “Is everything all right?”  I will mumble some incomplete phrase assuring her that everything is fine and that I just needed a break. She will smile and suggest I rejoin the group.

I wasn’t always like this. I grew up with two brothers, two sisters, over three dozen cousins and a generous helping of aunts and uncles. Thanksgiving had plenty of people, Christmas was crazy, and picnics were parties. Now it’s just the six of us and whoever else my wife invites over.

I feel a dose of neurosis is settling in with the cold. In a letter to his brother Stanley, E. B. White wrote, “A doctor last spring told me that I would be all right if I quit writing. He said most writers were neurotics – if they weren’t neurotic they wouldn’t go to the trouble, the enormous trouble. I find that Not Writing is very soothing, but I haven’t figured out yet what I will use for money.”

Not writing would leave me with no hobby, so I keep trying. A short time ago daylight savings time ended and the darkness settled in. Even though the calendar says it’s still autumn – we know better. It’s winter.

At least at this time of year I can sit guilt-free with a book in my chair before 10:00 pm. Since there are plenty of good seats still available, I suggest you get comfortable and settle in – it could be a long winter.