Seasonal Verbiage

In the process of getting rid of a telemarketer at the office one day, one of my staffers told them I was away. After she hung up, we discussed how long she should have said I'd be gone; she smiled as she came up with the old expression: "summering" at the Cape.

Ah yes: summering at the Cape; or in the Poconos; or at the Shore. Similar to wintering in Florida, Arizona or the Riviera. Then I got to wondering why those were the only two seasons used in that sense. But as I tried out the others, I realized I was creating some unfortunate turns of phrase:

• Springing in the city (sounds like surprising someone during an urban pogo stick contest)
• Falling in the Caribbean (especially unfortunate if one doesn't swim)

Ah well; best to just tell the telemarketers that I am unavailable.