In western Washington, we are generally blessed by a very mild climate. Our winters are warm, and our summers are cool. It rarely drops much below freezing or above 85 degrees, Fahrenheit. I wear the same light rain-resistant jacket pretty much year-round. Having spent five winters in Detroit, I am often thankful that in Washington, we keep snow on the mountains, where it belongs.
But I must admit that Novembers and Januaries are a little bleak. It is not unusual for the rain to settle in for weeks at a time in those months, and some people (like my beautiful Kathy) get a little depressed because of the gloom. (They actually have a name for it — Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD.) At such times, we spend hours looking at pictures of Turks and Caicos, and trying to remember what the sun looks like. Unless, of course, there is an Indian Spring.
Today we had a respite from our usual January weather — the sun came out, and pretty much everyone and their uncle went out for a walk. It reminds me of the first thaw in Michigan (usually in March) when the temperatures would rise above freezing for the first time. People would be out in shorts and t-shirts, in 35-degree weather, because it felt so warm, compared to 15 degrees.
The trees don’t seem to have any serious buds on them yet, but there is hope of Spring in the air.
It doesn’t often get this warm (or sunny) in January — usually we have to wait until the end of February for such weather. In any case, I am so thankful that we are allowed to live here. We have lived in this lovely house on a peaceful, double-ended cul-de-sac for more than ten years, now. At times like this, I am deeply grateful that God has made our world so beautiful, and that He has taken such good care of our family.
Our actual house. Lots of happiness has been enjoyed under that roof.
Project 365, Day 25
Tim
Makes me chuckle that we still have Christmas lights (and red bow) up! Loved the sunshine today. Thanks for taking me for a drive and a walk and then coffee. Fun!
Tim & Kathy: Can’t help but comment. Although Sunday morning was foggy & gray in and around Fort Lewis, by the time we got home to the Duckabush Valley, the sun was out in all it’s glory and the temperature rose to 57 degrees. Saturday, was even more so, with a high of 61 degrees, and with sun & clear skies. Yes, this is a blessing, for which we too are thankful.
However, it is not as unusual as it may seem. I remember distinctly back in 1970 when I arrived at SeaTac on the 26th of January, that the temperature was 55 and raining. That was 45 years ago. I had flown directly from Boston (you could do that then) and it was 4 degrees in Boston. I was so happy to walk outside and find that condition. I said, “I can live here. You don’t have to ‘shovel’ rain.” One great advantage for me personally, was that I could “breathe.”
Since that time, over the past 45 years (at least when we’ve lived here) there have been at least 3 or 4 Januarys when we have had mild, rainy weather with temperatures in the 50′s but not often with sunny skies. Sunny skies in January usually mean colder days.
But this past late November and early December gave us a taste of a ‘string’ of below freezing temperatures, a bit unusual for us. But in any event, we are thankful for the warmer temperatures. We’ll brace ourselves for a colder February and March, a windy, rainy April and a transitional May with more rain and temperature swings in June until we finally get our Northwest Summer after the 4th of July, and bask in the beauty , preparing for the rainy season to start again in late September and October. So it goes, but we’re thankful. Grandpa
I don’t believe there is anywhere as beautiful as the Pacific NW – even with the rain. LOL BUT I’m glad to be out of the rain. LOL
I love Washington! It felt almost like summer yesterday! Can’t wait for summer!