I remember what early February used to be like back home in Massachusetts. Snow piles everywhere. Scraping windshields in the early morning chill under rose-colored skies. Salt and sand-covered sidewalks and parking lots. The only activity on a golf course would be when me and my old Goodboys pal “Doc” Frechette (may he rest in peace) would go cross-country skiing across fairways and holes virtually unrecognizable covered in white.

The problem with early February back home is that, while you can tell the days are getting longer, the sun isn’t strong enough to do serious melting and the days and nights are still damned cold. I remember those days all too well and am glad that early February here in the Valley of the Sun is far more tolerable. heck, this coming week we’re supposed to be in the low to mid-80s. Nothing wrong with that. In fact, I’m planning on hitting balls several times to soak up some warmth. Tonight was the first time I pushed back our landscaping lights, so spring cannot be far behind.

This normally would be the weekend I’d be in Vegas with my Goodboy friends but this year we decided to push our trip back three weeks to hopefully take advantage of some better weather and warmer temperatures. Not sure how well that strategy will play out, but to all my Goodboys friends I offer up this Jimmy Buffett tune to make you long for warm summer days and a chilled Sam Adams Summer Ale to share over some good Goodboys golf talk.

As it turns out, February, my New England home, and Jimmy Buffett tune all intersect in “Boat Drinks”. This from Wikipedia:

The song was written in February 1979, while Jimmy was homesick in Boston. In the 1992 box set Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads, Buffett writes:

It was February in Boston, and I was cold and wanted to go home. Rum and tonic was the antifreeze, and the newspaper was full of ads for warmer climates. I was in a place owned by Derek Sanderson, who was a very famous player for the Boston Bruins in the ’70s. I came out of the bar and couldn’t find a cab except for the one that was running in front of the nearby hotel. There was no driver in it, and I was too cold to care about the consequences. There is an old Navy expression which says, ‘Beg forgiveness, not permission.’ I hopped in and drove back to my hotel. I did leave the fare on the seat.

So enjoy this tune for what it’s worth. Miss you guys and can’t wait to see you – the winter conditions aside, it won’t be long till we’re all back together again.