This is the time of the year when drastic temperature fluctuations have us all doing some funny things, and the Jones household is no exception. 

Last week, I hauled the grill onto our front porch after my pregnant wife said she had a hankering for a homemade burger. It took me several attempts to light the thing – a stiff breeze kept blowing out the lighter and before long my hand was shivering from the cold. Wearing her favorite T-shirt and shorts, my wife watched from inside our heated living room.

“This goes straight to the baby, you can’t have any of it,” I hollered through the window, then wondered if my neighbors had heard.

About three weeks ago, I removed all the worn, blown-out screen panels from our front porch in anticipation of spending many hours there this summer. Once they were safely stored in the basement, the task of installing new screens and possibly rebuilding the framing was pushed somewhere in the back of my brain. I have time, after all, before the mosquitoes hatch. 

Apparently, I should be less concerned with the insect population and focus on my wife’s desire to sit outside and read a book without having to worry about our indoor cat getting off the porch. Pricey new screening material, exterior paint and appropriate hardware were put back at the top of the list once she discovered I had a paycheck falling between our monthly bills. 

Partially in retaliation to the expanding “honey-do” list and partly due to my own feverish anticipation of warmer weather, I have been spending a lot of quality time with my motorcycle.

I bought the bike, a 1981 Yamaha, last summer from a lady who had lost control of it more than once. Initially, I thought 650ccs was too heavy for a first bike – as was evident by the dented headlight and torn grips left from the previous owner – but the price was right. Unexpected back surgery kept me from riding or even getting my driving permit before it was too cold to enjoy the open road in 2008.

This year, I plan on putting more miles under it than my Honda Civic, and I have been preparing by upgrading what I can. During the past month I’ve added new chrome rear shocks, lower profile handlebars and better grips, but have absolutely no idea what to do about the mysterious oil drip that appears at random or the fluid leaking from the right front fork seal. That will all have to wait until I can get the bike into the daylight of a mechanic shop.

For now, I must be content sitting on the bike in the back corner of our basement, imagining how cool I will look and estimating how much gas money I will save over the three short months that are summer. 

After all, the basement door is still frozen shut and I’m willing to bet winter isn’t done dumping snow on us just yet.                           – Nate Jones