Not that you, Mr. Winter, has been missed or anything, but still, it’s weird. I mean for the first time in many years I had bought a new winter coat and you ought to see it – nice, made with soft black wool and a cute hood in case sometimes I should want to be little-black-riding-hood. But shucks, ‘O winter, where art thou?’

Shudder – just when we are settled into these calming spring-like temps, Ole Man Winter will arrive with a vengeance. Like, “Hahaha, gotcha!” Don’t get me wrong, I really like these lovely temperatures, but I’m ready to get the frigid airwaves behind me.

And the blue birds, sigh, just this morning the little feathered ones were checking out one of my rentals in the bird village located next to our kitchen window. The rent is reasonable, just a tweet every now and then. What will they think when a snow storm should arrive in May?

I must say this has been a good month for daffodils. Poor dears, as they have turned their sunny faces to the sky, the yellow sweeties have had no idea that ice and sleet could emerge upon them like a rocket ship. Also, yesterday I noticed the daylilies that I had transplanted last year have appeared. I dug them out of an overcrowded flowerbed to make their own way, but OMG, perhaps that was a mistake. A crowd is warmer during winter, if it ever arrives.

O winter, where art thou?

I thought perhaps there could be at least one good thing – a lower heating bill, but I don’t think $386 is a deal. For Pete’s sake, give me a break! Now I have a beautiful wool coat just hanging in the closet, blue birds that will need counseling, plus daylilies and daffodils with an attitude. I don’t blame them. After all they have done their best to be beautiful, and then, wham, winter could happen overnight – and just like that the beauties will become wilted and droopy. Really, no one has ever wanted to be droopy.

So I checked with the weatherman – same ole, same ole — highs in the 60s & 70s with an increase in humidity. I looked longingly at the snow showers in NYC and I don’t even like snow. Just for the heck of it, I parked my car in the enclosed garage, as I pretended to expect a little drizzle with ice. Nothing.

Then the red birds arrived this morning checking rental space in the bird village. Yes, there is plenty of room but don’t get too comfy. There’s a “Northerner” a-coming, I warned the pretties. That’s when my heating bill will hit $500 but I don’t care. At least I can pull the black coat out for a run.

And I declare I thought I saw Purple Martins circling yesterday as they scouted their usual nesting gourds located in our yard. Just in case it was them, I waved my arms and shouted, “Return south for a month or so. Cold weather is on the way here.” I’m sure they heard me.

O winter, where art thou?

It is crazy; everything is in place but Ole Man Winter. I predict just when we are assured that winter will give our State a free ticket this year, the temps will drop 40 degrees in one day. We will turn off the AC and click on our heat. You know this is Mississippi.

I don’t mean to rant, really I don’t, but I like everything just as it should be. Spring followed by summer, followed by fall and then there is winter. Really, that’s not too much to ask, is it? I am always willing to deal – make my monthly power bill $150 year-round and let the cold temps stay in the North. Now that sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?

O winter, let’s make a deal.

Anne McKee is a Mississippi historian, writer and storyteller. She is listed on the Mississippi Humanities Speakers Bureau and Mississippi Arts Commission’s Artist Roster. See her website: www.annmckeestoryteller.com