Portland has had its fifth wettest winter on record and the LATEST on record in getting to 60F. That is really the central problem: as long as we get a few warm spring days it is tolerable... this year there have been few warm intervals.This is my fourth spring here in Bellingham, and it's also the first time that I've had such difficulty with the rain. It could have something to do with my recent travel to Florida (where it was warm and sunny most of the time) and the loss of friends and family as well. Who knows? I took this picture late last March, and I understand that this year the Tulip Festival, which began last Friday, has posted on their website that huge fields of tulips will be on display for "most of April, but not right at the start of the festival." That is right now, with the tulips not beginning to bloom until later this week.
One good thing about sitting around in front of my computer is spending time with my blogging buddies. It's really true that I sometimes feel these friends are like virtual family. I may not have met them, but we know things about each other and learn things about the world that I would otherwise miss. Mel at Luna Secrets put a wonderful post up today about Eric Whitacre with a link to a video on TED telling the story of his virtual choir of 2,000 people. Each person sent him (via YouTube) a single voice to be added to the choir. It makes the most amazing song. It's not finished yet, but if you go to the website (either Mel's or TED's), you can listen to the first few minutes and hear all about it. TED stands for "Technology, Entertainment, Design" and started out as a conference to disseminate information about ideas worth spreading. I discovered it a while back and forgot about it, until Mel sent out this inspiring video.
So, there are good things going on out there, I have to remember. The world is not all tsunamis, government shutdowns, war, and rumors of war. It's not always easy to remember until somebody reminds me of the incredible beauty we humans can create.
:-)
I would listen to the video if my grandson weren't napping not far from my computer.
ReplyDeleteHaving said all that about the weather in Bellingham, why haven't you seriously considered moving to Florida to live with your sister in warm weather???
I hope you are taking Calcium w/ Vitamin D every day. With no sunshine, you need Vitamin D.
Cheers!
I can certainly relate to this post. This has been my hardest season since moving to Oregon 7 years ago. I hadn't thought about it, but I'm sure the low temperatures have added considerable stress to the situation.
ReplyDeleteGo on TED youtube and watch Jill Bolte Taylor's performance related to her book "My Stroke of Insight."
I've managed to be out of the rain so far this year for three separate weeks. It makes it easier. I do better once the days start getting longer, regardless of the weather.
ReplyDeleteStill, coming home from Santa Fe tomorrow, I'm not looking forward to the gloomy skies.
I've managed to be out of the rain so far this year for three separate weeks. It makes it easier. I do better once the days start getting longer, regardless of the weather.
ReplyDeleteStill, coming home from Santa Fe tomorrow, I'm not looking forward to the gloomy skies.
I wonder what it means,, Linda accidentally posting her comment twice: "I'm not looking forward to the gloomy skies." hmmmm. :)
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time with gloomy days, so I understand. The juxtaposition between your home state and Florida would be, uh, glaring. I will check out the video. Thanks for the good news, for a change.
And then I put in two commas.... :)
ReplyDeleteSorry the weather is rainy there. Could you send it our way?
ReplyDeleteGigi's right about the vitamin D. It's tough being sun deprived. And you've had a lot going on as of late...so I'm sending you a big 'ol hug, and hoping for lots of sunshine for you. Rain, rain, go away...come back another day!
The only good thing though...is that April showers brings May flowers....may you be blessed with many dear friend.
Today we actually had SHOWERS instead of steady rain. I guess that's an improvement. 24 out of the 30 days in March had rain this year. Our temps are way below normal. Which is to say that while, yes, it does rain a lot here, this winter/spring is way worse than normal. It's getting all of us down.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet I just watched, on the news, disaster strike in the US southeast, with thunder storms and wind and tornados. Nine people dies. many are homeless. It could be worse.
I'm trying to deal with the gloom by staying busy. I hear there might be sun on Friday. Maybe even for you hike on Thursday. We can hope!
Good point on relationships developed through blogs. We get to see things expressed where people have had to think and then look at their post before it's sent on it's way. There are some very well thought out ideas as well as some beautiful photography.
ReplyDeletePete was an excellent example of somebody who clearly showed his personality and beliefs through his blog. Pete always told an excellent story which caused a response.
Thanks for telling us about the video on TED. I really appreciated it and needed it. The connection that is built in the virtual world really is amazing. I feel very blessed to be a part of your daily life.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get done with the rain soon. In the meantime, I found this link for you:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/oXvJ8UquYoo
I'm getting tired of the rain too but I'm pretty sure your area has had more than we have. The last time I looked at our forecast they are saying snow for Thursday night!
ReplyDeleteLove the tulips, mine are just about ready to bloom. I like the TED videos but I haven't seen this one so I'll be checking it out.
I guess I am a little strange but I love the rain. We have not had as much here in Virginia as you guys out in the northwest but enough to make the spring blooms glorious.
ReplyDeleteI feel have met some lovely, interesting people through blogs.
we have been given the grace that is has rained at night...which makes for great sleeping...but the wind here has been insane...ripped the roof off a house a couple miles away, taking down trees...crazy.
ReplyDeleteNow there's a synchro. Someone sent me that link to the TED choir. Love the photo of the tulip. You might not want to be in FL now. It's muggy, working toward what may be a scalding summer.
ReplyDeleteTrish
www.synchrosecrets.com/synchrosecrets
still trying to figure out the email subscription widget!
I hope you find your way to the tulip festival..I so enjoyed the photos last year. It was a sight to behold!! I hope you dry up soon..my brother has also complained about the rain and no sun:(
ReplyDeleteWe've had a lot of rain over here in Hawaii, too. However, we've had two rather nice sunny days so we're happy. We're expecting a rain storm tonight that is supposed to last for the next 3 days.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet, your photo of the rain on that beautiful flower is absolutely gorgeous so rain does have its benefits.
Weather sure has a way of affecting our moods. Amazing how a little sun can brighten the day. I hope you get some sunshine soon. I remember your gorgeous tulip photos from last year. I look forward to seeing some more this year.
ReplyDeleteI agree! I'm so ready for spring sunshine.
ReplyDeleteMy daughters are also lamenting the rain - Portland is wet, wet, wet. Up at Tahoe we have six foot piles of snow - literally a tunnel to our place. I guess one good thing will be all the reservoirs will be full this spring.
ReplyDeleteWe have a nice day today here in Tennessee and it is forecast nice for tomorrow too. We have had the awful storms, which passed on through two days ago, killing 8 people! We were unscathed, thankfully. I am watching the weather at Heathrow in London ready for my return to England on Friday. So far so good!
ReplyDeleteLovely tulips. Here we have the dogwoods almost blooming and that's not supposed to happen til Easter, but Easter is very late this year and I'm sure the dogwoods will be finished by then.
I'm sitting here bundled in a winter flannel shirt, looking out at gray and rain and knowing the thermometer on the porch is sitting around 40. I've lived in the Pacific Northwest most of my life and never experienced a spring quite like this one. I'm hoping it's a once in a lifetime thing - otherwise I may have to move to Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteDitto for Ontario and the midwest. What a relief to get some sun here and there with just a hint of what is to come.
ReplyDeleteAhhhhhhh......that liquid sunshine, decidedly typical of the Pacific Northwest !
ReplyDeleteWe're starting off nice here, but rain possibly on it's way. All I need is a window to grill some burgers tomorrow when my brother and his family come. That's not too much to ask...lol