Moscow-Pullman Daily News Blogs

Yesterday I saw a dozen people in shorts.

My first thought was, “Do these people know it is December?” and my second was, “Maybe they’re from somewhere much colder than here.”

In any case, with the earnest beginning of basketball season, I am always reminded of the dire warnings my mother told me during my years playing basketball.

As kids my sister and I were forbidden from wearing something as scanty as shorts outside unless there was a guaranteed daytime high of 70 or better. Thus, any dreams of wearing shorts we might have had in December were squashed.

When basketball season rolled around, those warnings went into overdrive with my mother promising endless colds, plagues and miseries for those leaving practice without full-length pants on.

Her warnings made an impression, and even now, nearing the age of 27, I still shake my head to see kids headed out of practice or games in just shorts, with my mother’s warnings echoing in my head.

See you on the sidelines!