That's a rhetorical question.
ANNOUNCEMENT: I'm not going to have that writing workshop in the spring, and I apologize to Bonnie and Valerie, who were quick to sign up. And I apologize to Heather, who was thinking of bussing herself out here. I'm teaching a block class in the summer at UVU, which pays more money. I could do both, but I can't do both, because I'm not good at doing one hundred things in a row, or even three. I need plenty of stare-into-space-time. It's the way I'm wired.
It is blowing outside and a heavy rain is pouring down--a rain that may become snow. We have been out, ordering symphony tickets for next year, grocery shopping and picked up pills at the pharmacy. We have had our lunch. We have had our millionth relationship talk.
I grow old. I grow old.
Now all of outside is smothered in a cloud. I'm thinking of TWebsterArmstrong out in Kansas and wonder if she's seen any tornados today.
I wonder if Jacqueline had her tonsils out.
I wonder how you all get through the gray. Is it different in Arizona, Hawaii, Southern California? Should I be moving to some summer clime?
My mood is not the same as it would be in Salt Lake at the end of February. I still have a desire to go to Newport Beach, however the sun is healing and going to the park through the month of February is a wonderful thing. I have loved winter in Phoenix.
ReplyDeleteAre you teaching at WIFYR conference? I'm glad you're back. The sun definitely does help.
ReplyDeleteBonnie, I'm not teaching at WIFYR this year.
ReplyDeleteThank you for thinking of me. I did not see any tornadoes this week. Tornado #1 was about 20 miles from us, and tornado #2 (Harveyville - the "bad one") was about 40 miles from us. The winds were tremendous. That is to say, much windier than the usual Kansas stuff.
ReplyDeleteI swim through the gray occasionally. My escape generally involves physical exertion (hiking, cycling), but sometimes the gray calls for a day curled on the sofa, eating bon bons.
Bummersville. I wasn't gonna ride the bus - been there done that. I was gonna ride the train. But I always understand the need to back down. I have a terrible habit of over scheduling my life and then breaking out in hives because I realize too late I have done it again. Kudos to you for recognizing early on (before I ordered non-refundable tickets on a glorious ride on Amtrak) that it shouldn't be done.
ReplyDeleteBesides, I have talked to so many SLC friends to tell them I'm coming, I may take that train ride anyway. I might have to stalk your new fancy grocery store and neighborhood, too.
Sorry about the class. As for winter here in Northern California, normally we have many more gray days, but this year we've been cool and sunny. I love living here I feel like John Steinbeck about this place: That it's spring for six months.
ReplyDeleteI could never go back to a February in Utah. Never.
And, very awfully sorry you're not at WIFYR this year. Sorry for my sake.
I thought I would miss the snow, rain, and clouds when I moved to Los Angeles. I don't. This place has changed me. I even started running! Saved my life.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your blog for a while. This is my first comment.
I do enjoy Hawaii winters. It is hard to avoid feeling that there is lightness and good in the world when you see stunning mountain and water views each time you drive more than 1/2 mile. Those views do brighten my perspective when I feel low. But there are rainy, gray days here and they exist, both literally and mentally, in everyone's life regardless of where we live. I've had Hawaii winters for a long time so my memory of living through cold, gray winters may not be accurate. I think they were harder on me mentally, particularly toward the end. However, in Hawaii I miss the glorious feeling of seeing spring arrive with warmer days, the first shoots of green and then watching the world transform from drab to colorful. when the world I see changes dramatically from season to season, I remember that I can change as well. I don't miss the far extremes of summer and winter in the mainland U.S., but I do miss four distinct seasons. I make it to the mainland for a small dose of winter and summer each year,and a dose is all I need of the extremes. I seldom get there for autumn and spring. I miss they way those seasons fed my soul.
ReplyDeleteI did indeed, Louise! I should feel like a new woman in a couple of weeks. If one more person tells me that their six year old handled it like a champ, they may get smacked. It's an entirely different recovery in an adult and I think the punishment for any adult talking about a kid's recovery should be an adult tonsillectomy. It positively sucks. But, thank you for thinking about me, xxoo
ReplyDeleteHello Louise, you don’t need to apologize for cancelling your class. When I try to imagine you teaching all who would have come to be taught and then the UVU class on top of that I can see that would have been awful for you - about as refreshing as a hemlock smoothie. Thank you for even thinking that you might have had a class for us. I will cherish that and the fact that my name was printed in your blog.
ReplyDeleteThe next time SLC becomes cloudy and grey you should consider a trip to Alberta.
Bonnie and I would take you on a brisk walk (with Fernando) through the snowy forest pathways that are all over here beside the Rocky Mountains. Our sunny blue sky can turn a snow scene into a field of sparkling diamonds – It isn't warm but it is exhilarating! White snow and red cheeks – red and white make me happy too. Valerie
I feel like I learn a little about myself when I read your blog. I need a lot of stare-into-space-time too. And I need to stop feeling so guilty about that.
ReplyDelete