Get Use to the Heat

I don't generally like to complain about things, especially when I have lived firsthand with worse things, when I have seen firsthand how things can be worse. But it is so hot right now. I am definitely a cold-climate girlie. Living up north where the days are shorter and the snow is deeper. 

Don't get me wrong, I will do what I have to regardless of the temperature and regardless of the weather circumstances, but there are definitely some conditions I prefer over others. The 80-degree temperatures that I will be seeing this week? Not it. The 90 and 100-degree temps that are bound to come this summer? Definitely not it. But here we are and here I will stay. Trying not to melt into a puddle before I finish my assignments. When I do turn into a melted popsicle, I will crawl my way in front of a fan so that I can have my own personal little flurry like Olaf does.

Why is it so hot?

Now I know this is going to be different for everyone as we are all from different regions and different climates but, why is it so hot?

I am from the Northeast United States. Normally this time of year we are still just getting into Spring weather, probably in the mid to high 50s (Fahrenheit), a nice breeze passing through to help blow the pollen around from the new light flowers sprouting up out of the ground. So why did it get into the 90s today?!? Why is tomorrow going to be just the same? The flowers haven't even fully popped out of the ground! There are still barren trees that have yet to show signs of green foliage to fill the spaces between the dull brown branches. So why do I feel the urge to turn on my air conditioner?

I understand and recognize that global warming is a thing. I know that the temperature all around the world is increasing. I know that the water level is rising as we melt the ice caps. But for real! That is a 40-degree difference between the average temperature this time of year and what it actually was. 

If I wanted to live in the heat I would go live out in California or Florida where I could be going to Disney more often!

...

I didn't turn on the AC by the way, it's far too early in the season to be spending that extra money on air conditioning. But the thought occurred to me at least once.

Bracing the Elements

"Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." - The Post Man Creed via NY Postal Service

Do you ever find that how you feel about the weather is not how others feel about them? Do you over-prepare for changing conditions such as excessive cold, or extreme winds, or torrential downpours while others just walk out in whatever they have on and embrace it? 

Do you ever stop to think maybe it really isn't that bad and that you're over-exaggerating just a bit?

Sometimes people have differing opinions on what is appropriate attire for certain conditions. One reason for this may be because they grew up in a different region and experienced weather differently. They may be used to hotter temperatures and thus bundle up more when in a cold climate; or maybe they are used to the cold and the strong winds so when they go to a slightly different, sunnier region, they wear as little clothing as possible. This is a valid reason to have differing opinions on weather. Others feel as though circumstances like messing up their new hairdo is reason to fuss over the conditions. Or maybe they do not want to get their clothes wet. And yes, you are all entitled to your opinions and can feel however you want to feel, so for you, maybe those points are also valid.

But here is the thing people. You can get your hair done again (yes, I know that you probably paid a lot of money for it to be done but that is on you wasting your money that way). Your clothes can and will dry out. You know what isn't going to happen? Any jobs that you are supposed to be completed but aren't because you are letting the weather stop you! 

Countless professions must embrace the elements whether they are prepared for it or not. Mailmen. Police officers. Firefighters. Paramedics. Military personnel. Amazon drivers. Uber eats drivers. You expect these people to be as prepared as you in ever given moment? Weather conditions can change in an instant with the right series of events. So maybe the next time you complain about a sudden downpour, realize it isn't the end of the world and just keep doing what you are because there are more important things in this world.

Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.

An Early Spring ... With More Snow

So for those of you who are not from the Northeast region of the United States, we have this whack-a-doodle thing we do to determine when our spring season is going to start. Now we very much still follow the farmers' almanac and the actual spring solstice and all that good stuff, but we like to have fun with guessing what the weather is going to be like too. 

Pennsylvania specifically has a groundhog that we rip out of his home to determine what the weather is going to be like. No, not 'Gus' the PA lottery groundhog. I am talking about Punxsutawney Phil. For those looking at the word and baffled at how you may pronounce it, punk-saw-ta-knee; that is the easiest way to explain it. I believe it was a native American tribe at one point in time. 

Anyway, every year at the start of February, we pull this poor guy out of his little hidey hole and present him to a crowd of people who are trying to find out if they are going to have to deal with six more weeks of 'brutal' winter cold or if they can start prepping for an early spring. Technically speaking, if Phil sees his shadow and runs back into his dirt house, that is supposed to be a sign that there is more winter to come because he goes back into hibernation. Alternatively, if he does not see his shadow, then there will be an early spring for the season. 

I never understood that logic though. If the sun is out and he sees his shadow wouldn't that imply that the sun is going to be out to warm the world sooner and cause spring to be here sooner? Not to mention it has turned into such a big hoopla lately that there are so many people and cameras with flash on that he almost always sees his shadow anymore... Maybe I am just thinking too far into it. 

Regardless, he did not see his shadow this year, which is suppose to mean an early spring and then we just got like four inches of snow last night! It is mostly melted now though and honestly it was kind of pretty to look at. I guess seasons happen as mother nature sees fit.

Snow Day!

Remember that feeling of waking up and having the snow cover the ground and then sitting and watching the news or listening to the raiding and waiting for the name of your school to pop up saying it was canceled? Those days may be far and few in between for today's generation, partially because of a lack of snow but also partially because now you can do school at home and Zoom call into a classroom. Well, maybe that feeling isn't completely gone for adults. 

Depending on the job you work, maybe the city closes or the mall closes or a specific store closes, and you get to stay home. It's a good feeling when you don't have to worry about going in for your shift. It's an even better feeling when you still get paid for it, some people are lucky enough to have that. I know my mall job was like that, if the mall closed due to bad weather then it wasn't your fault and the company would still pay you your wages for the shift you would've worked. 

That feeling is a fond memory and can remain a little pep in your step even as a full-grown adult.

Now we can take the day and play in the snowball-worthy weather with our friends or kids. Make an igloo and hide from the world. Dance around in the falling snow wearing our favorite cosplays. And overall just have fun with our lives.

Have fun with your extended weekend friends!

Snow is a Fresh Start

Snow is clean.

Snow is pure.

Snow is silence.

Snow is a fresh start.

Small white, crystalized water, falls to the ground.

Coating the grass, the benches, the trees, the light posts.

It continues to fall in layers and starts to weigh down that which it coats.

Under that weight, the Earth is sheltered and protected.

Above that weight, the World is filled with silence and light.

As the snow melts away, everything comes back to life as if renewed.

The birds begin to chirp, and flowers begin to bloom.

The snow has allowed our existence to have a redo.

Snow is clean.

Snow is pure.

Snow is silence.

Snow is a fresh start.

 

Holiday Traditions

 Holidays tend not to be a very happy time for my household.

It's a shame to say but it is unfortunately true.

And especially now that all of the "kids" in the immediate family are young adults, there are no longer those little trifling acts to keep up appearances. We just let everything slip through the cracks. 

I can pinpoint when in my life those things changed, it really isn't hard to do. It's been a steady decline ever since.

Easier still, is remembering how amazing it use to be, when the magic was still alive and there was still joy spread among us and the twinkle in the eyes hadn't diminished.

Spending that first brisk day in December shivering outside even though you're bundled up in a coat that makes you look like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man's cousin. As you help drag all of the bright rope lights and candy cane stakes out to the front yard. As you roll out all the tangled green cords trying to have enough length to reach the 10 foot inflatable snow man. The scrapping of the metal reindeer against the asphalt as you struggle to get it out and in line with the others to help pull Santa's sleigh. Going back inside afterwards and wiggling your feet in front of the fireplace trying to thaw your toesies as you slurp out all the half melted mini marshmallows from your cup of luke warm hot cocoa.

Coming home from school every day for over two weeks straight and there being a different sugary aroma wafting out the door because mom had spent the day baking a different one of her 24 cookies for the tins you need to go hand out to friends and family. Clambering up the stool to the counter so you can try and snag a swipe of raw cookie dough from the bowl before she notices but then scattering the tray of fresh, soft cookies as you try to steal one running out of the kitchen because you were not slick enough with the bowl.

Getting to take an envelope of money with you to school with a list of everyone you had to get a present for and trying to save as much of the money as possible because you want to get yourself something too. Grabbing the cheapest of dolphin necklaces for your mom because what woman doesn't love jewelry. Dad gets the new grill flipper that says world's best dad. Little sister gets those smelly erasers while the boys get the grossest and slimiest of goo.

Trying to steal a glance down the laundry shoot to spy what gifts you may all be getting. Y'know, big sis said that during the month of December, Santa relocates his workshop down in the musty basement because his workshop gets too cluttered and it only makes sense that the toys already be in the house when he arrives to re-arrange the gifts because how else would he deliver them to everyone in one night?!

Getting up at 5 AM to drive down to center city Philadelphia on Christmas Eve. Just so you can get a Geno's cheese steak  for breakfast before you head over to Termini's to wait in line for 5 hours while you get to snack on cupcakes the size of your palm and eat cannoli after cannoli of deliciousness that you got to pipe yourself because your dad grew up with the brothers and this is how he loves to spend his birthday. 

Taking the week off from school for Christmas and New Years where you get to spend day after day slowly opening all of your presents and spending hours upon hours lost to your own devices. Getting to build skyscrapers from legos. Reading fantasy novels about damsels in distress and fire breathing dragons. Watching the latest Barbie movie, the one with the little fashion pixie sprites. Having an all out turf war with your brothers because you got the new pink Nerf gun made just for girls. 

Trying to stay up to midnight to watch the ball drop and falling asleep just before.

...

It's funny how that became working through the holidays and not even bothering to stay up until 9 for an evening snack.

The First Weekend of October

 October. 

A month that gets overlooked by some but is the superior, spoopiest month for others.

For myself, October is not only the start of cooler weather and feeling at home in my own skin, taking in the smells of bonfires, the crunch of the crisp leaves under your feet, and all that other marvelous bug free living. October is also when I get to do the most outside, especially when it comes to decorating the home.

The summer months are too hot and bright for me to be comfortable doing much and while I enjoy the rainy season of the spring, the bright colors and growth; its also a time for a lot of other people to be popping out of the woodwork. And I am by no means a people person, even if my customer service persona tries to tell you otherwise. 

So fall is my domain.

Death and decay are the joy of my life most days and if I could bottle it up to remember for all eternity, I would gladly do so.

This weekend, we start to prepare for the Wicca hour. Pulling out all our various decor and planning our theme for this years yard display.

Who knows, maybe we will manage to get a Haunted House going for the first time!

What are some of your favorite seasonal attributes?

What do you plan on doing for Halloween this year? Is Covid going to hold everyone back for yet another round of tricks and treats or will everyone come to life with more gusto than before?