What’s the weather like?
Spring Rain
Your season covers a span of time, but the weather can be different from day to day and it often impacts what you’re able or willing to do. If you practiced reading the day last week, you would have seen this.
Weather is an integral part of our everyday life and very much dependent on place. It refers to the conditions that exist in the air around you at any one time and includes the temperature and pressure in the atmosphere, the amount of moisture the air holds, and the presence or absence of wind and clouds. Weather affects how you live, where you live, and how things grow. It can even change your mood.
“We are used to being slaves to the weather. The weather tells us if we should be indoors or outdoors. The weather tells us how much we are able to enjoy ourselves. The weather orders us home or into shelter. The weather can take all the pleasure from the outdoors.” ~ Rewild Yourself, Simon Barnes
This quote comes from a chapter in Barnes’ book called The Magic Trousers, where he assures the reader that getting waterproof pants will change their life. I agree with Barnes that pushing yourself to get outside in all kinds of weather is a great way to rewild yourself. And all you have to do is dress for it.
Being out in the rain or a blizzard or high winds can be terrifying and exhilarating. My daughter told me that one day when I was away it was snowing with very high winds blowing in circles. She tried to clear the driveway but gave up when the snow kept coming back. By going out in all kinds of weather, you’ll experience your place in a myriad of different ways.
What’s the weather like where you are today?
Practice
For this week, note the weather conditions each day when you get up. How would you describe the weather? What kind of reaction does it bring up in you?
If you’re able, get outside every day. Dress for the weather in appropriate clothing to explore, from rain pants and boots, to a warm hat and scarf, for the cold, or a sun hat for the heat. Feel the wind on your skin and the sun on your face.
Note the temperature.
What is the light doing?
What types of clouds are in the sky?
How are the plants reacting to the weather?
What are the road conditions?
How are the water sources affected?
What animals do you see?
What surprises you about this experience?
Share your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram and add the hashtag #seeingyourplace2022.
Resources
This article describes a book by Andrew Revkin about the history of weather and how it’s changing.
There’s a wonderful expression I learned years ago when I was training for a marathon - when we were expected to train regardless of the weather. The expression is - “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.” These are words I try to live by!