Why summer is better than winter

Back when I was interning at BYU Studies on the main floor of the JFSB at BYU, we were down the hall from a kindergarten and preschool, and sometimes they would bring the kids around to the different offices to ask survey questions. One time they were asking what kind of bread we preferred. On another occasion, they asked us whether we preferred summer or winter. (They left spring and fall out of it, because that just complicates things.)

I really wanted to say winter, because I hate heat, and everyone else in the office said summer, and I don't hate winter as much as other people. But I couldn't. Summer really is better.

Let me start off by saying that I would rather be cold than hot. You can always put more layers on, and it's no fun feeling all sweaty. Also, air conditioning is more expensive than heating.

But hot is just hot. Cold, while it is better than hot, is still not good, and it brings a lot more nasty things with it.

Here is what is bad about summer:

• It's hot.
• There are wildfires and drought.
• You can't leave your groceries, your dog, or your kids in the car.
• Wasps, mosquitoes, and other bugs.

Here is what is bad about winter:

• It's cold.
• There are inversions and smog.
• You can't leave your dog or your kids in the car.

But wait, there's more:

• It's icy, with all its attendant problems.
• Snowy driving is treacherous. 
• Salt gets everywhere.
• It's dark.
• You have to scrape your windows in the morning.
• You have to wear lots of bulky clothing.
• Shoveling snow is a chore.
• Dry skin.

So winter has a lot more bad things than summer. But what's good about the seasons? Let's start with winter this time:

• Skiing, snowboarding, sledding, etc., if you're into that kind of thing. (I think this is like the only reason people like winter. I can get people being so passionate about it; I dream about my own hobby of trail running. But I've never been skiing or snowboarding, because I'm terrified of falling. I think I have PTSD from breaking my leg while rollerskating, slipping and landing on my teeth, and watching my mom break her leg on the stairs, among other incidents.)
• Christmas. (But it comes in the beginning of winter, so you're depressed when it's over, which also happens to be the worst part of winter.)
• New Year's and Valentine's Day, and I guess MLK Day and Presidents' Day. (But these are the weakest links on the holiday chain.)
• Fresh, white snow is beautiful, as are icicles and other icy things.
• Hot chocolate.
• Cozy fireplaces.

Now, what's good about summer?

• Hiking, running, rock climbing, etc., if you're into those things. (And seriously, what kind of person doesn't like hiking to some degree?) Basically, skiing, snowboarding, and sledding are the only hobbies you can't do in the summer, but you can do a lot more things in the summer, including things you can also do in the winter.
• The Fourth of July and Pioneer Day. (They're not as good as Christmas, but that means you're not as depressed when they're over, and they're certainly better than New Year's and Valentine's Day. And, unlike Christmas, they occur during the peak of summer, so you have something to distract you from the horrible weather.)
• Wildflowers, including sego lilies and mulesears in June, Richardson's geranium in July, and sunflowers in August.
• Popsicles.
• Campfires and camping.

But wait, there's more:

• Outdoor concerts and movies.
• Pool parties. 
• Barbecues
• Long daylight hours.
• Vacations and road trips.
• Fresh fruit and vegetables. And that also means cherry crisp, apricot meringue pie, and plum-rosemary upside-down cake.
• Awesome afternoon thunderstorms.

So, you see, winter has more bad things, and summer has more good things. Ergo, summer>winter. 

Take that, skiers!