The Annual Seasonal Lament
Well, it is late, but it is definitely here—the brutal part of summer. I will not complain nearly as much as I usually do because we still have lots of water in our ponds and a good bit of collected rainwater in tanks. At least in some parts of the county, there is still green vegetation on the ground.
We are getting outside for sunrise every morning while the temperatures are still in the seventies, then are back working inside until after supper. I can handle the heat better late in the day I suppose because the humidity is lower and the sunlight is not so harsh.
The forecast for the next several days is looking tough, but after that, things are expected to start heading in a better direction. I am looking forward to sunrises in the low seventies again and high temperatures that fail to surpass one hundred. By late this week, we will be entering the last full month of summer, and by the end of next week, the sun will be setting before eight in the evening.
Even though we have had a relatively mild summer up until lately, I am still relieved to be over the hump and headed toward the other three seasons. I have been thinking about this, and I think my problem with summer is as much the number of daylight hours as it is the hot temperatures. In the previous two summers, I was fortunate enough to get to visit some places that are way farther north and as a result have cooler temperatures along with many more daylight hours in the summer. As much as I enjoy the cooler part, I find the daylight part to be exhausting. Something in my brain needs for the sun to go down so it can slow down and rest.
My mental and physical energy is at its lowest during that middle month of summer. My creative energy has been all but absent lately. I have managed to keep a few creative pursuits going—a little knitting, a little sewing, a little organizing of art supplies, but it has been barely a trickle compared to my usual pace.
Once again, I know that I am swimming upstream on this. Most people love the long days of summer. While most people do not enjoy the extreme heat we sometimes have, most people do love warm days and nights and all of outdoor recreation that comes along with summertime. Our culture certainly seems to glorify summer and vilify winter.
Is there anyone else out there who aligns with me on this? Even a little?