After an extremely hot and humid July, with more of the same predicted for August, I find myself wanting less of summer and more of winter. . . .
Along about now my garden is feeling the same way I am. Perhaps if I could spend the summer at the beach I'd love summer. I am so grateful for air conditioning, which we did not have until the seventh summer in this house. But I think it has made me less tolerant of the heat. My way of thinking about loving winter more than summer is that you can put on more clothing to get warm, but you can't get cool just by taking off clothing!
Ideally, there would only be two seasons: Spring and Autumn, with a hint of winter--for a month. That would kill the insects, chill the bulbs for Spring blossoming, and give me a chance to use my fireplace.
What about you? Which seasons do you like best? Which could you dispense with? And does anyone know where I can find my idea of what the Seasons should be?
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Take Joy!
Those pictures are perfect to bring thoughts of coolness on a warm day. Actually this morning there was a slight chill to the air as it tried to rain and I could have used a sweater. I think you are spot on about our intolerance from heat partially comes from going in and out of AC. When we lived in Africa we did just fine in cotton dresses and fans. It wasn't as fun when the electricity was off though. It's all what you get used to. At least we are nearing the end of summer and have fall to look forward to, coming soon.
ReplyDeleteIt's been better here, too, the last 2 days at least, but still too humid for my comfort. I suspect we won't see cooler weather here until October.
DeleteMy middle sister is so in love with Fall that she'd marry it if she could. Seriously - she's famous in the family for it. She's said many times how she only like Fall weather and how she could be happy as a clam amid year-round Fall foliage, pumpkins, cozy sweaters and lamplight at supper time. My youngest sister LOATHES the month of March and is on record as saying "If I ruled the world, one of the first things I'd do would be to eliminate March forever..." I should point out that in our part of the world, along the southern shore of Lake Ontario, March IS unbelievably changeable. It's not at all unusual to experience dazzling sunshine & 65 degrees one day, and a mere 12 hours later, you're stopping every so often to "bang" the ice off your windshield wipers because it's sleeting so badly. So I rather agree with her on the whole March deal. But I think I'd still like to see 4 seasons. I tend to look at Winter as somewhat of a "palate cleanser." All of Winter's disagreeableness makes me appreciate the other seasons more. If we had wonderful weather all the time, it would be taken for granted very quickly, and we'd probably moan about even brief periods of rain. And I do like the changes that happen. That first day every Spring when you walk out the front door, wearing your winter coat as usual, and happily realize that you're seriously overdressed. That's a great feeling! Or like now, when we've sweated and sweltered through a couple of weeks of dry, hot, humid, don't-want-to-do-anything weather, and then suddenly a thunderstorm blows through bringing welcome relief. Nature was wise in providing all different types of weather, at least for most of us. I know I've always been grateful to live when the weather is basically temperate and we experience 4 seasons. And no monsoons!! ☔️
ReplyDeleteYour attitude about winter in upper state New York does you credit, Janet. Without people like you there probably wouldn't be anyone north of the Mason Dixon Line! I don't know how many of your winters I could manage. I'm ready for a continuous Spring (no teasers) by the first of April...no surprise snow storms in May as my brother-in-law has in Wyoming! I'm also grateful that I don't have to contend with blizzards, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires or earthquakes on my little mountain! The area has experienced milder forms of all those events which fits my "moderate" personality. Maybe we all end up where we are most likely to thrive, personality-wise. I'm with you on our need to have contrasts in order to fully appreciate the loveliness that nature holds in its many facets. However, this past weekend two people lost their lives in a flash flood in the main street of the little historical town of Ellicott City 40 miles east of us. They got 6 inches of rain in a short period of time--unprecedented for us. Foundations of 1700's buildings have been washed away. They're saying it may be years for the town to recover. The weather has become a "terrorist" it seems for many areas of the country like never before. I think we need to start paying attention, not only for the effect it's having on us, but us on it.
DeleteYes, Cathy - I'm very grateful we don't have to cope with hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes etc here in upstate New York. Basically our bugbear is snow, and we all have to have something, so that's OK. I'll take weeks and weeks of snow any time, if it means no dangerous weather conditions. Although we do experience flooding, or the very odd tornado every once in a blue moon, if conditions are just exactly wrong. What's most scary to me is the frequency of the severe weather conditions we've been having nationally in the past decade or so. And all of it directly related to climate change, in my opinion. The Summers have been hotter and drier, overall at least [we're having a drought in my immediate region right now] and the Winters are colder and snowier. Even the brushfires out West seem bigger and much worse than when we were kids - don't you think? ☔️
DeleteI agree, Janet. The scientists who say climate change is real and due to our way of life should be taken seriously.
DeleteHad to add my "like button" here. I could not agree more. The weather my son is experiencing in Ohio, is not the weather I grew up with. And the weather has changed so much in Texas in just the 23 years since I moved here, it is not the same climate. You know, I am not smart enough to know if it is cyclical, or climate change due to human footprint. But whatever we can do to change the footprint we are leaving on this planet, let's do it! Let's error on the side of caution.
DeleteChris....West Texas
Your Winter pictures are beautiful. I am a lover of the sun but not necessarily of the heat.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lorraine. I love sunny days, too, as long as I can find some shade. England is known for its rainy days so I can see where the sun would be sought out there!
DeleteLiving the majority of my life in Florida makes me appreciate the different seasons even more. Having experienced autumn & winter in the beginning of my childhood still makes me yearn for those seasons. With traveling still being a "love" for me I can just get on a plane and fly up to visit family members during those seasons. I am grateful for that!
ReplyDeleteSandy, that's why you need to come before summer gets too hot. This visit was no escape from the Florida heat and humidity for you!
DeleteIf I were not an outdoors person, weather probably wouldn't matter, but I am not fond of being cooped up in the house. When I left work last evening the car thermometer registered 104, as I drove home it went up to 107. I think the official mark was 103. It drains me of my energy and enthusiasum and I feel as though I am just dragging through life. Then add no rain and it is quite depressing. I laughed at Janet's sister, when I lived in Ohio I could have done without March as well!! But as I swelter in this heat, I would choose winter any day over this! Our garden is finished and mom pulled the last of the tomatoes out of the ground and unto the compost heap. No matter how much water you put on them they can't survive this heat. I think I will just keep my nose in a book, transport myself somewhere else and re-emerge in September.
ReplyDeleteWeather has changed. When I first moved here we would always have a few 100 degree days, but now they go on endlessly and we count them to see if we hit a new record! We have made it to August, September around the corner, Fall cannot be far behind! I keep telling myself that and I wait!
Chris...West Texas
Chris, your summers are as bad as Janet's winters! Yes, our weather has changed--for the worse. I figure it's OK to complain about the weather because then I don't complain about getting older or the other host of things that I COULD complain about. I can even blame my mood on the weather. 😊
DeleteI agree with you Cathy; autumn 🍁 and spring 🌷 are the only seasons I need. It's been a hot, dry summer here in Southern California with no rain. We have some glorious fog this morning. I wish you a fun filled weekend, Pat xx
ReplyDeleteNo rain is distressing. At least I can't complain about that. I think all the rain has settled on this half of the country this year.
DeleteI think this has been a particularly hot, humid summer. I also love the comfort of air conditioning, but feel we are feeling the heat more because of it. When I was growing up we didn't have ac and I don't remember it being that bad. Summer is always a fun time for my family as we love to visit the beach. The change of seasons are important to my rhythm of life. ♥
ReplyDeleteI agree that the change of seasons does give life a rhythm that we wouldn't have otherwise. It's one reason I change the decor in my house each season. It's my way of celebrating each season as it begins--it's just that Summer gets a bit peevish--it's like company that stays too long!
DeleteCathy, My husband would agree with you on the heat, having grown up in ALaska, he shares your sentiment about the ease of getting warmer with layers of clothing opposed to the difficulty of cooling off... naked is as far as you can go, says he. As for myself, I love all seasons equally, and think it ideal that each season lasts only 3 months.
ReplyDeleteJeri, I was thinking of you when I wrote this post since you don't have air conditioning. You must be able to tolerate the heat and humidity pretty well to not mind 3 months of summer in the South. Up our way the worst is usually only 6 weeks, which is about 4 weeks too long for me!
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