Winter Wonderland

[ksmith]

Ok, maybe not quite. But we are experiencing a bout of unseasonable coolness, with temps running 15-20 degrees below mid-August norms. The pups are peppy, I'm shivering, and the lands End Outlet catalog couldn't have come at a better time. Found a squall parka, snow boots, and other assorted gear. A good pair of wind pants is still on the to-buy list.

In a couple of weeks, we'll be into the -ber months. I don't quite believe it.

Comments

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Wow do I envy you. We still have three months of hell weather to go--the worst of the year.

And then of course three months of bitter, dry, smoggy glare.

[technomage.livejournal.com]

Hey, send some down this way! All we get to do is duck on a regular basis (until November) every time there's a Hurricane forming in the Gulf. This week is just rain and moderate winds - both the B & C storms headed for Florida. I suspect Jupiter may have finally decided he hates teal...

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

We're having October in August. Can't complain, I guess. A gradual warm-up to the lo 80s is expected over the next 5 days. Nice lawn-mowing weather. Almost wish it was the long Labor Day weekend ahead, but I'm not eager to wish the days away just yet.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

You really need a summer in the Berkshires or something. Northern Wisconsin. Pines and cold streams...

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Oh that does sound heavenly. I would also love a Christmas that is not 80 degrees and smoggy, and I would love to have it rain so often that I cannot easily recall every single shower of the previous year, and just how very few minutes it lasted.

The idea of sleeping under a blanket rather than a roaring fan sounds so...so alien, yet so charming.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I guess I shouldn't mention that I seriously considering starting a fire in the fireplace last night...

Ditto....

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

We woke to a glorious morning--it was only 77 F. by 10:30 am. They're promising us upper 50s tonight. I am in heaven. August is usually the pits--as soon as I win/earn a fortune, I will go hide during August--preferably in Michigan! (W will vote for Colorado, we may have to rotate...)

Re: Ditto....

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Part of me wants to adjourn to the Pacific Northwest, but I really do need sunshine. I wonder if I settled about 100 or so miles from Seattle whether it would make a diff?

But I like the northern Midwest, too. I might like New England. There are so many nice places. Unfortunately, there's also too little time and not enough money.

Re: Ditto....

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

When W was interviewing at Microsoft, we visited Seattle. We saw two days that were like most of the year--and one day that is the kind of day people in Seattle rave about. However, it's only like that from after July 4th through October, apparently--then the cloud bank settles back in.

I would need full spectrum light bulbs throughout the house, and maybe a special light lamp, to survive the NW full time. I know the rain gets to Ru occasionally, and she's south in the Oregon corridor between the ranges.

I've never been to NE as an adult--I look forward to it someday.

Re: Ditto....

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

A former manager who was from the Seattle area told us that the worst day for suicides in the area is the first sunny day after the long winter. He said that most people are depressed by this point, but when the sun comes out that first time they flood the beaches and parks, and their moods lift. But if someone is still depressed in spite of the weather change, they reason that they're too far gone to ever pull out and do themselves in.

I love the scenery out there, but I need the sun. Even a week of clouds gets to me.

OTOH, I was there in April 2000 for Norwescon, and then in May 2002 for a visit, and both times were lovely--mostly sunny, with very little rain. But I recall being told that the PacNorWest was dealing with a long drought, and that it normally isn't so sunny so early.

Re: Ditto....

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

But if someone is still depressed in spite of the weather change, they reason that they're too far gone to ever pull out and do themselves in.

Terribly sad, and not true--even something as simple as a natural source of lithium from peas can make a tremendous difference for some people going through a depression cycle--if your minerals are off, you can be in trouble.

OTOH, I was there in April 2000 for Norwescon, and then in May 2002 for a visit, and both times were lovely--mostly sunny, with very little rain. But I recall being told that the PacNorWest was dealing with a long drought, and that it normally isn't so sunny so early.

I think the drought in the west is going on five years--and finally shows some signs of easing a bit.