Sunday, May 5, 2013

Springtime in two cities

We are in Anchorage this weekend. We flew up to watch my sister Alyx get pinned as a nurse after two years of rigorous training. That was Friday, with the usual congratulatory ceremony and dinner gathering of 16 proud friends and family at Outback Steakhouse. Saturday we awoke to a four-hour snow event. Lovely, to my way of thinking, though the sandals I brought didn't quite do the trick as footwear when we went outside. This part of Alaska is getting about 17 hours of daylight right now, so we went to bed before dark!  In June, this part of the country will have 22 hours of daylight.

Meanwhile, Seattle is expecting an 80-degree day with bright blue skies and sunshine. Unseasonably warm and wonderful. I see Facebook pictures of our son and his family on their new boat, out on the water to celebrate spring. I look at the forecast for the next week and it is almost all sunshine. I can do this! I think I'll finally be able to stand outside and pressure wash the lower deck.

Until I was about 50 I was unaffected by weather, or hours of darkness and light. I wonder sometimes why I'm sensitive to it now. Whatever the reason, I need to honor that in myself, annoying though it is.

I think I'm back to my normal self after a few weeks in a transition kind of place.  Coming home from Arizona, where it was sunny and I was physically and intellectually and socially active, to Seattle, where April set a record for rain and my life was simpler, was way harder than I'd expected. I'll keep that in mind next year so I'm kinder to myself when I'm in the in-between space.

I've felt quite supported by my home community and my virtual one. Thanks to those of you who suggested I slow down or give it time.








16 comments:

DJan said...

I'm glad you are traveling home in time to share in this abundant sunshine, Linda. I am enjoying it quite a bit myself. :-)

turquoisemoon said...

hahaha...know the feeling. I wear Birkenstocks all the time. I have finally learned to pack socks.

Olga said...

Wow, you do get around. We have had several beautiful days in a row here in VT, but I heard that it is snowing in Arkansas. That seems crazy.

Sally Wessely said...

You have really gone from one extreme to the next in the last few months. You went from sun in winter, to dreary rain in the spring, to snow in the spring. No wonder you have been being affected by the weather!

I'm glad you got to be there for the pinning of your sis. Congrats to her.

And, congrats to you for transitioning through that difficult span of time. I like hour you are honoring yourself and being gentle with yourself as you make plans for dealing with those "in between" spaces. I think we all can learn from this. Hugs.

Meryl Baer said...

Congratulations to Alyx, that is a major achievement. And don't be so hard on yourself. Give yourself time; our bodies are not as flexible and quick to adjust to changes as they used to be.

Rob-bear said...

Oh, my goodness. All that travelling around: Arizona, Alaska, Seattle. I'd still be trying to figure out what day it was. Well done by your sister, btw.

Blessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

Grandmother Mary said...

A big, big congrats to your sister from a retired nurse who loved her work for 36 years! Congrats to you as well for being kind to yourself and learning your life's lessons. Life keeps presenting them until we do!

Arkansas Patti said...

Congrats to your sister. Such a wonderful profession.
You certainly do travel around. It would make it hard to get your body rhythms in sync.

Dee said...

Dear Linda, you seem in such a good place now--both Alaska and within yourself. And I so admire you for listening to your body. It takes many of us a long time to be able to do that. Peace.

MyMaracas said...

Yes, congrats to your sister! You've had quite a set of changes in scenery lately, haven't you. Let us know if you see the northern lights, OK?

Ms Sparrow said...

Enjoy those long sunny days in Alaska!

Tom said...

Congrats. on the pinning ceremony (my daughter got pinned as a veterinarian a few years ago, so I know, it's really special).

But otherwise, I'll take Seattle over Anchorage, anytime!

Perpetua said...

What a great reason for a trip and a family reunion.

Galen Pearl said...

I remember camping on the Kenai Peninsula in the long days of summer. Going to bed with light glowing in the tent was a challenge! And of course it make sneaking outside to pee in the night very difficult!

wheels4me said...

Living in student housing while attending UCSB in the 1980s was the only way I could afford to live in Santa Barbara. I came back to Seattle consoling myself with the belief that global warming was bound to bring Gold Coast weather to Seattle--sooner or later. 25 years later, we are enjoying an unprecedented ten days of 75° weather in early May.

Friko said...

Sunshine makes a huge difference. Being out in daylight does too.
I wonder why so many Scandinavians, who have long daylight hours in summer suffer from depression. it must be the endless darkness of winter.

Slowing down and allowing yourself leisure is an absolute must. Don’t drive yourself into the ground.