Spending two weeks in perfect weather has made me think about how we let the weather dominate our lives on the east coast. Living in an area where the weather is extremely volatile all year long means that everyone feels the need to talk about it. Constantly. I find it more than tedious to hear everyone talking about the weather, all the time, whether they know what they're talking about or not. It will snow. It will rain. It will be cold. It will be hot. Let's move on, and live with it. If a severe storm is going to affect how or if I can get to a destination, then it matters to me that I get an accurate weather report. Other than that all I need to know is how to dress. There must be some other topic we can use for small talk!
Here in the desert you wake up to sunshine every day. Period. In the winter it's a little cooler and there may be some rain (about 5 days out of the year). No need to talk about it, the weather is pretty much always glorious. I have noticed, however, that the summer heat (every day is somewhere around 100 degrees, give or take) is the local residents' version of our winter: they talk about it (a little bit) and take measures to be comfortable and drink enough water. Many stores provide water and many of them provide fresh bowls of water for dogs. Beyond that, it's no big deal.
I do think, though, that the weather has a real effect on one's mood and outlook. Sunshine is relaxing and makes you feel good. It's obvious that our long, dark, cold winters take a toll on us; since we left home two weeks ago it hasn't stopped raining in Boston and even though it's the middle of June, temperatures are still in the 60s. No wonder we're cranky. There's something very energizing and uplifting about having an early morning cup of coffee on the patio all year round.
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