Our winters are relatively short and mild, yet I wish we had no winter at all. Me and cold are not good friends.
I'm no fan of summer's heat either; it can be scorching and debilitating. It's just that one likes the freedom that this season offers: no thick fabrics, no layers of clothes, no boots; no flu episodes, ease of moving and walking. And of course, Nature is present in all its splendor providing endless delight.
Spring and Autumn, transitional periods, are shorter in length than winter and summer.
Spring, the season of awakening and renewal, is supposed to come in March, but is usually late, and makes its appearance in early April. In my country, it also brings with it what's called 'hamsin' - desert heat waves, a dry and quite unpleasant phenomenon.
Autumn is OK considering the spectacular change of colors that characterizes it, except, that it is autumn that reminds me that each season in my life is linked to the loss of a beloved one, and that fact in itself fills me with sadness. (Autumn is also known as Fall, so probably it is expected that not only leaves fall, but also one's mood does).
I've even written once a few lines on the matter. It goes like this (translation from Hebrew):
"In spring, my Mom got ill and fragile / It sure looked to me a bad sign. In summer, when everything around was bright / Alas! She and my brother, both died.
In autumn, with the sky above, cloudy and grey / My father and nephew passed away. In winter, in the cold, gloomy weather / we had to part from my uncle forever".
*
The weather of each of the four seasons is mentioned quite often in people's blogs; no wonder about that. Climate has a great impact on one's quality of life.
I've noticed , though, that people who plan relocation, place climate at the bottom of their agenda or ignore it completely. Only when they get to their new location they understand the meaning of it, but then it might be too late
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Winters are relatively mild in California as well, even when it gets to 63 degrees, my mom and I are bundling up. I enjoy it though as I love clean crisp mornings when the air feels clean (even though it is not). Summer is not my friend, I dislike being hot and sticky, luckily we only have about 10 days a year when its humid. For the most part in my part of the state the weather is generally the same year round. I know my mom gets so depressed during autumn and winter when everything to her is grey and dreary and her thoughts turn to death of her loved ones, so for the past 3 years I've had my gardener spread winter grass and no matter the time of year, when she looks out side and it's green and I think that lifts her spirits.
ReplyDeleteYes, humidity is the worst part of summertime. The feeling of stickiness is terrible.
DeleteGreat idea with the green grass for your Mom1 I'm sure it lifts up her spirits.
Your seasons are a lot like ours in Phoenix, Arizona. We seem to go from winter to summer with perhaps a day or two of spring and same with summer to winter with a few days of fall in between. Thankfully our humidity is very low so when it is 115 degrees out it is "manageable" as compared to when we were in Washington DC area a few years back at first part of September with 95% humidity and 90 degrees and I could not tolerate it at all. I do think of the climates when we have moved to different ones but you are right, its usually down the line. We've gone from the extreme of Billings Montana with the cold to the extreme of Phoenix with the hot. I have found though I rather be hot than cold. Cold gets into your bones and its hard to feel warm. Hot you can dress accordingly or dip in the pool if one has one. The majority of the losses we have had have been in November and December, the most in December.
ReplyDeletebetty
ן would definitely agree with your line, Betty:"..I rather be hot than cold'.
DeleteIndeed, "cold gets in your bones.."- especially if you are at a certain age.
So far, in winter we get visited by the flu. This year I haven't got it yet,thank God; perhaps because of the mask. Vaccine is said to make the flu lighter, but doesn't prevent you from getting the flu-virus. That's why wearing masks is so important!
sad to remember those lost.
ReplyDeleteSad, indeed, but remember we must.
DeleteThere were times when parents used to name their new born after a deceased family member to honor his memory. Nowadays, that's practically inexistent.
Oh, I used to love winters. Fresh snows in December in Upstate New York that certainly became horrible times to be in bouts of Cabin Fever in the winter months..then when it melted it would flood basements. I have never been a fan of Spring my allergies act up and some how I feel miserable, here in the mid-west where the winters aren't quite as bad, but it gets pretty cold and I am afraid I don't like it like I used too. Fall has to be my favorite time here in Nebraska. Although, I grew up in West Texas and its a dry air there for the part, but these days anything could stir up. Here too, spring brings flood from the river and they are no fun. But I can't think any place I'd rather be.
ReplyDeleteI like what you said about people relocating when they retire. I just don't know if I would want to move. But I have one friend that I realized she's good at making friends where ever she goes, by join this club and what not. I'm not really like that.
But the weather gets personal sometimes, and there are choices to make.
I meant relocation in general, not only in retirement. You know, people looking for better jobs, education opportunities, etc..
DeleteSnow adds a touch of beauty to winters, but we don't have snow here, inland - only (sometimes) on two high places :Jerusalem and Mt.Hermon on the Golan Heights.
Flooding can be dangerous, and allergies can make one feel miserable, so keep away from rivers, and take preventive care in Spring!
I don't live too far from the Missouri River, but I am on "higher" ground. It's amazing how people continue to rebuild on the flood areas here. So much sadness comes with places like that. First the flood. They move into temp. shelter. Scavengers come and take what they can. It's a vicious cycle. We have had more snow. Now the bitter cold is setting in. Feb. might be the coldest month of the year, here.
DeleteI grew up with trauma of flooding.During my childhood, the river of my hometown used to get mad and cause terrible floods. Since then, I live far from rivers and bodies of water.
DeleteSad to read about the loss of loved ones throughout the seasons.
ReplyDeleteThe seasons here are mild. Never too hot or too cold (usually) Summer and autumn are our best seasons. Spring is usually very windy and all over the place and winter often wet and a bit cold
Better than in Holland which is atm too hot in the summer and too wet but not too cold anymore in winter
Mild id the best. Australia and New Zealand are considered climate paradises.
DeleteCold, winds and heavy rains are not 'my cup of tea', even if I happen to be indoors.
Rather partial to all season down here, though I don't like the cold when it's windy, seems to right through you.
ReplyDeleteMany people from Northern Australia come here to live as they are tired of the 'heat', they always ask about our weather.
If feel as we get older we can all say someone has died in all of the season that we knew...take care.
Cold affects my health, so naturally I tend to dislike the season that is mostly associated with it - winter.
DeleteYes, heat can make one 'tired', 'exhausted', but not ill like when one gets the flu.. I know the feeling.
I don't dislike any of our seasons, but I can tell you this. If I have to choose between the cold of winter and oppressive heat in summer, give me winter every time. On the coldest day I have good clothing to stay warm, but excessive heat is impossible to escape, and my time outside is curtailed by it. I have friends in Australia who routinely deal with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees in summer. What can you do in such conditions? Hibernate is about the only thing!
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised by your words. Many people out there prefer winter's cold to summer's heat. Each to his/their own, as the saying goes.
DeleteIn my case, as I've mentioned in a comment above, cold makes me ill (the flu ) whereas the heat makes me usually tired. Small difference, but difference nonetheless.
A lot of people prefer the transitional seasons of spring and autumn (especially poets - it gives them inspiration).
ReplyDeleteWhen we're young we look for the beauty in things and these two seasons have plenty of beauty to offer.
"Spring, the season of awakening and renewal, is supposed to come in March, but is usually late, and makes its appearance in early April."
ReplyDeleteThen it is supposed to come in April. 😉
There is something spiritually profound in your last paragraph.
So be it, as you say, Sandi.
DeleteThank you for the "spiritually profound" remark.
I wish I were spiritually profound, but, so far, I'm unaware of it.
I don't like heat either, but I love Autumn very much. And Winter like we have now in Poland is also very beautiful, today is frosty and there is snow everywhere. Thank you so much for your kind words about my video, means a lot to me! Have a lovely week and stay safe and healthy everyone!
ReplyDeleteYour video, Natalia, is very nicely set up . Although I have no knowledge of polish,I like the sound of it, and of your voice, of course.. The english subtitle is good,and informative.
DeleteEverything is smooth and running as it should.
Our Winter is mild too. Summer heat here is really hot but we don't get hurricanes, tornado's or many earthquakes. So it's really a trade off, it's hot but we don't get the really bad things here.
ReplyDeleteOh, my - hurricanes, tornadoes...I'm even afraid of a regular, standard storm or wind.
DeleteIndeed, the heat is not the worst part of the 'bargain'.
I didn't know that you also have 4 seasons in Israel ! I thought it would be always warm !
ReplyDeleteI am not a friend of cold either but I adore spring and summer. In fall my mood falls too !
Well, compared to Europe and other places, our winter is short and mild (long enough and cold enough, though, to bring me the flu).
DeleteEverybody, everywhere seems to love the transitional seasons: Spring and autumn - for good reasons I presume.
Hi Duta, I have heard that the almond blossom trees blossom around now in Israel. Is that around now?? It must soooo beautiful, I can only imagine and from pictures. have you seen them? Are they everywhere?? As you were writing about seasons, Hope you had a happy Tu B`shevat! Love and blessings♡
ReplyDeleteYes, Shayndel, but who's looking at trees now? Despite the vaccines and lockdown, our numbers of covid casualties are still high. We're expecting improvement by the end of this month - and then, we'll start looking around.
DeleteLove and Blessings to you too!
I would fall into your last sentence. I had no idea. After living in Los Angeles with the best moderate climate ever, I saw the signs that promoted our town here: Land of four seasons. This was something I had missed. Now I'm suffering the summer heat from July through mid-October. And I mean suffer, I really do and it gets worse each year with me getting older and climate change. The rest of the year I love it here.
ReplyDeleteSorry, Inger,of your suffering. Heat can ,indeed, be unbearable.
DeleteWell, no climate is perfect, we are not perfect either. We try to adjust.
Who knows what Climate Change has in store for us.
Hi Duta, I signed up to follow you today. Climate is important to me, and I have lived in a temperate area of California for 45 years. I love being able to be outside most days. Ah, fresh air, a breeze, nature.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Terra! I've immediately reciprocated.
DeleteWe all love the outdoors, and luckily, our weather, as well as California weather enable us to enjoy most days the fresh air and the surrounding nature.
Hi! Thank you very much for yur interesting post! I dont't like cold as well. But I like snow and frozzy becouse it's like Mystic. But I don't like to freeze. Such is the paradox. I prefer summer.
ReplyDeleteWinter has a beauty of its own because of the white cover of snow. However, not everybody likes the cold and its extreme form of frost and freezing. that come with it.
DeleteI'm so sorry for your losses.
ReplyDeleteI love the change in the seasons.
I had a wonderful walk in the wetland snow today, again, with my cat.
Thank you.
DeleteYou seem to enjoy immensely your walks, your critters,your surroundings - regardless of the weather. You're an authentic canadian.
I'm not fan of cold, either, Duta. But at least in Michigan we have four seasons. Winter isn't too long and most times not too cold for too long a period; summer generally not too hot (my favorite) and spring and autumn reasonably temperate. We don't have the hurricanes, floods, brushfires or humidity other spots do and while we might have a tornado now and then, it's nothing like the area called "Tornado Alley," where they are frequent. I think temperature/climate would be the first thing I would put on a list!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like Michigan is blessed with a
Deletefairly good climate. No hurricanes, no floods , no humidity, no wild fires - what else could one want.
Hi, Duta:
ReplyDeleteThank you for the birthday wishes. Autumn is my favorite and my heart's desire is to someday visit New England where the season shows off in vibrancy. My melancholy father grew sad in this season so I am sensitive to others when the trees shed their leaves.
I didn't know that about New-England. I know that this region in north eastern USA, which comprises six states, is referred to as the 'birthplace of America'.
DeleteI really like the cold. The colder the better. That is the only reason I am not coming to Israel. (O and covid-19). The Dutch like to talk about the weather. We have a small country. Just like Israel, bordering to the sea. When my parents lived in the middle of the woods my sister had asthma. They moved to the sea and she was healed.
ReplyDeleteClimate is a great trigger of asthma. Arad town, in southern Israel, attracts asthmatic people from all over the world. It's located in a dry zone, but its proximity to the Dead Sea,probably makes the right balance.
DeleteThere is nothing I like about winter weather. Would rarther be hot than cold. Your poem has so much weight and truth; regardless of the season... Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words about my little poem.At first it was written in my native language, romanian,and then I felt I wish to see it also in Hebrew, and now in English. As you say: there's weight and truth in it.
DeleteI also do not like winter, Duta, but every time the weather get cooler, we relieved, hurricane is about to over :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful poem. I believe this poem has awesome rhyme in Hebrew.
Take care.
I suppose anything is better than a hurricane...
DeleteThank you for your remark on my tiny poem. I like rhyming. I may not be good at it, but I try, as I believe it adds a certain 'elegance' to both the idea and the sentence.
My two favourite seasons are Spring and Autumn.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I think most people will agree with your choice, Jan.
DeleteThe transitional seasons are also the more agreeable ones.