Welcome to Spring. Weather in Houston is a nice, balmy 80 degrees and the relative humidity is 64%. My pool has warmed up an additional 4 point this week alone, and now simmers at a comfortable 77. Considering that the immediate forecast calls for lots of sun and warm temperatures, the time seems ripe for some outdoor steaks, a cold light beer and lots of music.

There's been a lot of discussion on http://www.buffettnews.com/ about whether Parrotheads "winterize" their Jimmy Buffett music or not. Once the question was posed, the forum attendees then turned to the task of defining "winterizing". Like many things in our life, the definition remains fluid, and runs from one end of the spectum to another.

Some BuffettNews.com members had no trouble at all admitting that at the first crack of Autumn, they pack the CDs and other Parrothead paraphernalia and hunker down for a long, Buffett-less winter. Others indicated that they just listen to Jimmy less. Others, still, proudly announced that they'd never "winterize" Jimmy, and described in emotional detail how the spirit of the music helps them maintain their mental summer vacation lifestyle year-round.

Personally, I would never put my Buffett tunes into seasonal hibernation. However, I do admit that there's a certain feeling that leaves me in the Fall and returns again in the Spring. Don't get me wrong... living on the Gulf Coast ensures that I have a reasonable amount of spring-like weather all year, including the winter months, and all it takes is a warm, southerly breeze flying in from the sea to instantly put me back in the mood.

Additionally, some Trop Rock artists have written songs to help inspire feelings of nostalgia for warmer weather and tropical climates in the cool season. Examples include Jimmy's own Boat Drinks and When The Coast Is Clear, and Jake & The Half Conched Band's Current Conditions. Those songs really do help on a cold day. God bless them for that!

But now that Spring is here, we don't have to fake it any more, do we? Concert season is kicking into full swing, warm temperatures are dominating, and the smell of backyard barbeques all combine to help put me into a good mood. And more importantly, I am so glad that I don't have to dig through my master closet to open up and dust off the music that has kept me happy through the dead season.

No sir. I'll never "winterize" Jimmy Buffett.

Labels: Jimmy Buffett