Thursday, January 10, 2008

When a local (of 25 years) says, "I'm tired of this weather," you know it's excessive.  Two other people told me today that they are staying in their pajamas longer.  Myself, I've been pushing to rise earlier and get dressed only to be put off by the dark clouds and downpours and groggy/achey/fighting off a cold feeling, sending me to nap on the couch for another hour.

In the Land Of Rain, the Pacific Northwest, it has seemed even drearier still this winter.  Though it isn't terribly cold, it is wet, wet, wet (at the rate of about 2 inches of rain per day this month) and has been since October.  Add the storms and wind and flu, and, well, get out the sunlamps.  "At least," I keep telling myself, "I don't have to shovel rain." 

Sunlamps aside, there is an answer to Maggie's lament at the Library.  Dropping off some magazines, I saw crocuses cropping up in the pots outside--in JANUARY!   The more I looked, the more I saw:  new twigs on the trees, buds on the bushes, pansies popping.  All of this among last fall's leftovers.  I feel better already. 

The winds are kicking up again tonight, and the rain is blowing sideways.  But I know that out there not so far away is that little bit of hope that the new year brings--no matter where you live.  Seeing is believing.