"Everyone complains about the weather but no one does anything about it"

[trystinn]

Mark Twain's immortal words, if you were wondering where you've heard that before.

My father is a Weather Channel addict, much to Mum's horror I assure you. I've always made fun of him, but then again he begins every phone conversation with in depth knowledge about your weather and asks how you're coping with it. Now I realize that there's something to be said about getting more concerned about the weather as you age. Our bodies react so differently to the weather as we age from migraines, aches & pains, joints, chillbains, etc. and that's not even counting what it does to your spirit. And it only gets worse each day you're on the planet. I never knew anyone with Seasonal Affective Disorder until I moved to Washington, yet now I'm hanging out with friends under their special lights and not thinking twice about it. Even considered getting one for the living room a time or two.

I've seen all kinds by now; tornadoes in MA, ice storms in VT, blizzards in Brooklyn, Nor'Easters on Long Island, munsoons in Arizona, El Ninos, La Ninas, heatwaves in Germany, the London fog, hurricanes in NYC and droughts just about everywhere. And yet, I've never been more affected by them than I am now. Just driving home from work tonight I passed the Tsunami Route signs and shuddered. Walking across the yard and your shoeprints are immediately back-filled with water, the ground is so saturated. There is no dirt, its all mud. Even the bookstore's roof is leaking and I spent hours moving books away from the leaking wall and cover the wood bookcases with tarps this afternoon. Back at home, took two men working all day today to prop up the fence from both sides and make sure the tarp is lashed down tightly over the center of the rabbit enclosure. With temperatures below freezing expected for a week, I'm already mulling over how we're going to handle it.

As a grandchild of farmers & orchard keepers, I stand in awe at my ancestors and how they managed to keep themselves and their property taken care of.

Comments

[wild-heart.livejournal.com]

Our ancestors were of hardy stock. They had to be, else they'd have died out from just trying to stay alive. Personally, I'm grateful every day of my life for indoor plumbing and mostly available electricity. When I lived in Union Vale, NY, we got a generator because we lost power so often. It was a massive thing powered by propane that could keep the necessities and then some going in a 3k sq ft house for 8 days. I loved it. During the worst times, we kept insulin and cancer meds in our fridge for neighbors.

This is probably a stooopid question, but you've got a weather radio, right?

Jay told me that several years back, they had 17 consecutive weeks of clouds and rain here. Now, that's probably not all that unusual for where you are, but here that's unheard of. He said that people got very, very hostile.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Its hard to imagine a bunch of midwestern Jews were hardy, but I believe you. By the time I met them they were frail, passive agressive, whiny elderly folks. *WEG*

We have a battery powered radio and have been considering a weather radio, as well as those chemical flashlights. The Navy has an international weather station (aka "The Weather Guessers") here that tracks the weather all over the world, so we tend to just call Chief Dixon five doors down to hear what's going on - half the time I can ask him as he walks his dogs past my house each day. Its a small town, what can I say?

In 2006 we had an incredible run of rain, but I don't think we hit anywhere near 26 consecutive weeks. Wowsa...poor Jay. I can just imagine.

somewhat scattered reply but weather reminds me of some of my favorite rants.

[winterlion.livejournal.com]

I know from experience that my parents and grandparents were tough and hardy people - my grandparents continued running their greenhouse farm as long and late as they could, before they were finally bought out (and developed - the house and land are long gone to apartments and a mall)

Weather of late IS getting worse in a lot of places - from reviewing family history. But these days we're also badly setup to handle emergencies. We're a lot more tied to place than once was. My father, for instance, can duplicate most of his tools and shop given an axe and a couple of other portable tools + the metal parts.

We're also more pushed by finances than once was - it used to be a hard winter would just challenge food for the next year and could be weathered.... now there's all kinds of financial hardship in the mix.

I don't know about other stuff but farming, fishing and other "base" professions WERE a lot better in the old days.... and folks were more prepared both physically and mentally. These days however we've got a lot better medicine...

oh - and klompen (Dutch wooden shoes) are GREAT in mucky soil. They don't really stay dirty and your feet stay warm and dry *grin*

Re: somewhat scattered reply but weather reminds me of some of my favorite rants.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Its sad to think that all our technology, all our science and all our know how and our quality of joy is so much lessened today.

I've never worn Klompen, though they have a rubber version available at the Cenex I may give a try. Thanks for the idea.

Re: somewhat scattered reply but weather reminds me of some of my favorite rants.

[winterlion.livejournal.com]

We're more rushed - and people have forgotten how to find joy as it's just not on soma (the telly). I'd say joy's still here if we can but remember where to look. We've just less time than we once had. I'm still looking for solutions to that though...

*grin* I haven't had a set since I was a kid but I remember....

Re: somewhat scattered reply but weather reminds me of some of my favorite rants.

[winterlion.livejournal.com]

Just as a quick toss out- proper Klompen are made to fit your feet. I don't know what store ones are like.

[dana3.livejournal.com]

I've had SAD since before they called it that ... and never lived on the West Coast anywhwere. Am delighted with the special lights, though -- they're a fun addition to the arsenal to combat that condition. SJW is more useful but less conversation-starting, yanno?

Your ancestors knew better than to tromple the gardens when they're that muddy, they'll retain the compression from where you stepped! (Mine gets that way around March during the thaw.) Had to laugh at Winterlion's plug for klompen -- they do shrug off the water, but boy they're hard on the feets!! :)

"Little darling, it's been a long cold soggy winter ...
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been clear!
Here come the Sun {doo da doo doo] Here comes the Sun!
It's alright ..."
Modify the words as needed and chant until spring arrives. -- :D

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Tromple through the gardens? Heck, I was just trying to feed the rabbits! LOL I wouldn't mind trying some new gardening shoes, though, but given my poor arches I'm not sure Klompen would work.

glad to be urban

[kajiracad.livejournal.com]

having grown up 'in the sticks' where cotton and corn and peanut fields were my playground, i am glad to be an urban soul.

and, btw, get yourself some good, OSHA-approved rubber boots. my spousal-unit worked for a radiator shop once and the boots he got there are STILL our favorites (we wear the same size shoes!) for slopping thru our "low-country" yard. they have a felt-like liner and good arch support PLUS, because they were 'workboots' in a 'hazmat' area, they are seriously heavy enough that we just slip our sock-feet inside and go.

Re: glad to be urban

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I will give that a try. Hubby and I's feet size is very similar, his is wider than my own 10 1/2s.