The rainy season

The last few weeks have been so dark and grey that I feel like I’ve been caught in a perpetual twilight of rain and fog. Over the weekend, the wind was relentless. It doesn’t just blow here, it whistles, moans, and hums. I’m grateful that our house is built of block and brick, and that its big windows bring in whatever natural light the day offers. The house walls stand firm against the weather without so much as a creak, but the shutters, garage doors, and wind itself vibrate in an uneasy symphony.

When the rain is streaking the glass and the grey seeps into every corner of the room, I try to think cozy thoughts and tackle the sorts of tasks a dark day calls for. As I wrote earlier, I’ve been putting photos in albums, tackling small art projects, doing some reading, watching movies, and cooking, but with the holidays over and months of grey days stretching out ahead, I’m restless.

In a few short weeks, I’ll turn 45, E will turn 50, and we’ll celebrate our 25^th anniversary. Benchmarks. Happy occasions. Reasons to celebrate--but also a time to reflect.  Life is good but during the dark days of January and February, it’s hard to see just how good it really is.

January 2, 2007 

Comments

[mamatulip]

I'm restless too. The first few months of the year are my least favourite.

[Elisabeth]

Interestingly, the topic of my blog entry today was how I despise this time of year. Congratulations on the birthdays and, especially, on the 25th wedding anniversary.

[Nance]

Oh, V.--wait til you're as old as me! ;-)

Today is the first real day of sun in I-don't-know-how-long. I don't know how I live in NE Ohio, where the grey days outnumber the sunny by at least 50 to 1. And doesn't wind unnerve you? It makes me very uneasy and totally wrecks my sleep.

Another thing we have in common: sensitivity to the weather. But, I think a great deal of women fall victim to that trait, don't you?

[furiousBall]

Best wishes to you two. Always good to hear about a couple making it work in this day and age.

[Annie]

Wish I could send you some of my sunshine. It's cool here, but bright and shiney. I hope you get some lighter days soon.

[Rick]

Sounds a lot like Seattle. I'll turn the big 55 in three weeks, and boy am I lookin' forward to those senior discounts at Hooters!

[Ortizzle]

There's something broody and mysterious and gothic about wet, grey, windy winter weather. (I swear all that alliteration was unintentional.) At least in certain European cities. But it does wear thin after weeks of it. After several winter trips to the U.K., I came to appreciate why the English became so fond of that hot cuppa. Do you get that awful damp cold in Belgium? (By "damp cold" I mean even when it is not raining, of course! :-)

[littlepurplecow]

Your blog emits a bright light. Glad to find it. Best wishes for the new year.

[Lisa]

I know what you mean, V. The wind is my constant companion here too, so much so that I asked my husband was it normal and when it would stop. A heavy fog set in in our area a few days before Christmas and didn't let up until the holiday was over. Visibility was limited to a few meters across our yard and the hills all around us were gone. I thought I would smother to death before it finally left.

One happy point for me through all this was to think of the winter solstice coming and going, and the days - foggy, windy or not - getting gradually longer and brighter, a few minutes at a time. It helps me realize 'the grey' may seem impenetrable when it's upon us but it doesn't last forever.

You have my sincerest congratulations on your upcoming twenty-fifth anniversary. That is really something these days.

[Lux Lisbon]

I know what you mean about that type of wind. We live right next to the Sea and it is relentless. We too live in solidly built house. A fact that felt good until we realized we will need to replace our old pipes soon and they are encased in cement walls. I guess you take the bad with the good.

[Jenny]

Happy early EVERYTHING!

Beautifully written.

[Char]

25 years is something to be very proud of, plus you have two beautiful kids to show for it.

[Neil]

The dark days of winter won't be able to compete with the brightness of your happy milestones. Celebrate.