For most people, weather has nothing to do with housekeeping whatsoever. If it does, it is because the weather is so bad that they don't want to step foot outside of the house, so they might as well clean the house.

Not for me. My cleaning mood is ruled by the weather. When it is a nice bright sunny warm day, most people would like to be out enjoying their favorite sport or taking a long leisurely walk or playing with the kids in the park. Although, I do enjoy these things, this type of weather is the only time that I feel like cleaning the house.

Why is this so? It may have something to do with memories of helping my Mama with Spring cleaning. I recall, at six or seven years old, realizing that it is no longer long-sleeve and corduroy weather because my older sisters and brothers had changed into shorts and short-sleeve shirts. Donning of shorts was an indication that window cleaning was about to commence.

This was about the time of year my Mama would drag out the ladders and give each of us kids a little saucer of water and cake of window soap. We were given a clean white rag and instructed to rub the rag on the soap cake and then smear it onto the windows in circular motion. As the soaper moved from window to window, one of the other kids would follow along with a clean cloth, wiping off the soap film, leaving behind a spotless, almost invisible, window.

My older siblings hated this ritual, but I loved it. I loved the feel of the thick soap. I loved the feel of it being smoothed onto the grimey window. Mostly, I loved taking that clean white cloth and dragging it across the soap film to reveal a clear mark on the window. It was like artwork.

The shape of my house during winter months can be predicted in the fall by reading the Farmer's Almanac. If the solar patterns indicate the snowiest winter on record, you can bet I will not be hosting any Tupperware parties, Christmas parties, or New Year's parties. If it predicts the "coldest" winter, then I'm pretty sure my house will get a few cleanings since the coldest days are usually brisk, but clear sunny days.

I even moved to South Florida once in attempt to improve my housekeeping habits (among other reasons) which proved to be a huge mistake (cleaning wise). Although my house was in pretty good shape during the winter "seasonal" months, the terrential downpours of the summer left much to be desired as far as dust bunnies and grimey windows go.

What prompted me to write this story? As a new resident of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, I have enjoyed many nice beach-worthy days the last couple of months and a nice clean house to go with them. However, during the last two days the weather has been horrific. The ocean is serving up some 8 to 10 foot waves (far from the normal 2 or 3 foot waves) and strong winds have blown that wet sand right up onto my sliding glass doors. The grime is almost so thick that the view from my windows is just a blur.

As quickly as the muck appeared on my windows, my carpet has sprouted dirty footprints and pieces of stuffing from the dog's chew toys. My dishes have piled up and the coffee maker still has the grounds from the last cup I made two days ago.

No worries though, my vacuum cleaner is standing by for the storm to pass and the moment that sun chases away the fog and hazey sky, I'll be out on the terrace with a roll of paper towels and glass cleaner, but it will never be the same as it was with the white cloth and cake of soap.

If you've ever heard and wondered the meaning of the pun, "What's holding up the window washer?" It's not scaffolding, it's the weather.