Down here in the Caribbean it's summer year-round, which makes it difficult to write about anything summer-specific. Barbecues, poolside piña coladas, outdoor dining with candleholders strung up in the trees, beach time? Any weekend, January or July, is fine. Heaven, right?
Well, yeah. Sort of.
But here's the downside. It's hot. All the time. Want to do some gardening, chores around the house? Within five minutes you're soaked in sweat. Feel like taking a walk? Forget it; there's little vegetation on this rock, much of it shrub-height, so the sun will bake you in the first block. Even the thought of spending an afternoon baking is psychological torture. A/C? Well, turns out electricity is kinda expensive down here. Unless one is prepared to spend USD 1,500 a month on energy, it ain't doable.
The worst part? There's no end to it. No change of seasons, no crisp fall days to look forward to, not even a real rainy season. Here the "rains" come with hurricanes, which--need I really say--aren't all that fun.
So this contribution of mine to Jeremy Bates' Dog Days of Summer blogfest is to tell you that, as much as you enjoy your summer and as much as you dread the arrival of that Labor Day weekend... Please cherish it. Be grateful for your changing seasons, for the dip in temperature, for snow and slush and ice and hail. Because, as much as you hate those, they're what make it possible for you to enjoy your summers with childish glee.
Enjoy these last days of summer! And share your unique summer stories by signing up to the Dog Days of Summer blogfest!
VERY similar where I live, G. I wear shorts pretty much year-round. We'll occasionally get a cool day in January or February, but it doesn't last long. My rose bushes never go dormant. For many, I know that sounds like paradise, but for me, it's all very depressing.
ReplyDeleteMy creativity, and brain really, is at its peak when the weather changes. Like you, I really miss the seasons. I lived in the Midwest US for a time, and thought it was just about perfect. We had roughly 3-4 months of every season. Winters were cold, but ended just when the gray skies began to wear on you. Summers were hot, but not too hot, and ended in September when it's supposed to end.
Summer here doesn't really end until November. (We'll hit 90 degrees F pretty frequently in early-mid October), and what most folks would consider spring (65-80 degree days) is our winter. Summer usually kicks back off in mid-April.
All of that, and we've been in a severe drought the last 2 years, so we haven't really had much rain to speak of. Been kind of like that movie Groundhog's Day for 2 years. :(
The seasons rock, really. And no rain--that's probably the one thing I really really *really* miss from where I grew up in Mexico. During the summer, from like May to September, it rains every night like clockwork. Huge thunderstorms with lightning that cracks the sky open over and over. It's amazing. Here, when there's rain (like three days a year) it's like a shower opening up and closing five minutes later. No relief from the heat at all, just more humidity. Sheesh.
DeleteWell now you see, I grew up in the Virgin Islands, have lots of family there. And I know for a fact :) there are seasons. Certain things only bloom at certain times of the year. It may only get down to 68 or 70 in the winter, but we wore sweaters. One acclimates to the point where in winter the water is too cold to go swimming.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment, Bish! I think the VI are slightly different. Curacao is mostly rock, very little vegetation, and nothing really blooms here--at any time of year, haha. Not without serious human help, anyway. One definitely does acclimate, and from December to March we tend to stay away from the beach because the water's "too cold", haha. And there's nights in those months where we actually turn off the AC--because it's too cold :D
DeleteI love your blog theme and banner!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how we perceive weather. I used to live in Upper Michigan in the USA, which was very cold. I dreamed of summer, moved to Virginia, and summers are getting hotter every year. 100 degree temps, unbearable humidity, violent storms, tornadoes, and the occasional hurricane. Summer used to be my favorite season, not anymore.
Now, I am looking to move again, after 14 years into the Midwest, which is yet another can of worms. Why? For love! :-)
Thanks for stopping by, Alexandra! You're so right--the attributes of weather become positive or negative depending on what you have, I guess. Sort of like the grass is greener, the weather's also better on the other side :)
DeleteFor LOVE! How awesome! I ended up on this arid Caribbean rock for love, too. Got to say, it may not be the rightest of reasons to implement change in one's life, but for me it worked out great. Sure hope it does for you too!
Paradise ain't all it's cracked up to be, huh? I didn't realize the A/C issue, that puts a whole new spin on things.
ReplyDeleteI do love the change in seasons. Per the calendar, the Northeast US gets four, but in reality it's like a relay race. "Fall's making a break for it but Summer's putting up a fight. Fall pulls ahead and...Whoa where the heck did Winter come from? Don't rule out Fall yet, folks, Winter's early sprint can't last long...."
This would make a fun blog post for me! Stay cool.
Hahahahahahaa…. Love that relay race of the seasons! Thanks for the visit, Cindy!
DeleteI know what you mean, when I was living in Karachi it was hot. Always, even when it was supposed to be really cold, it would be hot outside and just uncomfortably cold inside the house because there is no heating inside houses in tropical countries. I would miss Canadian winters so much! The changing seasons are definitely a big blessing.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more! Even though I'd seriously balk at the idea of moving away from here, haha. But the seasons... Yes, the seasons!
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
I wouldn't be able to survive that! I'm not a hot weather person. Our AC broke last month and we just got a new unit. It was a horrid month for me. I enjoy the seasons. Hope you manage to find a cool spot somewhere!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christine! Yes, I just read about your AC--oops! We only use it in the bedroom at night, and then only for an hour or so till the room cools down enough to let us sleep. The rest of the house is completely open--no glass on windows or doors--which lets the wind in and makes it bearable--if you stay very very still, haha.
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
I guess thats final then. I'm moving to the Caribbean. Make up the guest bedroom so long...
ReplyDeletePsycho girl! lol I knew you'd be loving the weather, but we might have to change your name to Tanned Scots Lass.
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DeleteHahahah--guest bedroom's ready to roll :)
DeleteThanks for the visit!
Where I live, we have short summers with only about 3 or 4 weeks of unbearable heat. When winter hits, it's a snow lovers dream! Yes, we really have 10, even 20 sometimes, foot drifts. And don't get stuck on the side of the road or the snow plows will bury your car till spring:)
ReplyDeleteOh wow! That sounds like a LOT of snow. I'll keep that in mind whenever the heat starts bothering me. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI do love having four distinct seasons in Colorado. As soon as I'm getting tired of one, I know the next one is right around the corner.
ReplyDeleteAh, Colorado--I think it's probably the best weather ever. Four very marked seasons, beautiful scenery all four. Yeah, I'm *jealous* :) Thanks for the visit!
DeleteWhere I live in NC, we don't have a very long winter (if you can call it that) and heat for 8 months of the year is no fun. Was worse in Arkansas though. Summer lasted 9 months or more sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that about NC summers, although I've never been. In NJ (lived there for a couple of years) winter was seven months long--at least for a Mexican tropical bird like me. Not sure whether I'd prefer that or the AK option, haha.
DeleteThanks for the visit!
There is something refreshing about a change of season, even when the change is only slight.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Tracy. Even a small change reminds us that there's something new, somehow. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI spent a week n the Caribbean and sweated the whole time. Only relief was jumping in the ocean. Can't imagine that year round. But, Summers in Dallas can be brutal and no ocean to escape to.
ReplyDeleteHaha--yes, the Caribbean can be pretty harsh, especially if you're not used to hot weather. You're right, though. Having an ocean close by to jump into does make a difference. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteWowza, $1,500 on an electric bill?! Man alive. Well, if you had any wind it seems to me that one could build a windmill and generate power.
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in Florida for a spell, I cherished the A/C, as it was eleventy-seven every day and so humid you'd wring your shirt out inside of 10-15 minutes.
Yeah, paradise "ain't" all that sometimes. I have become acclimated to the weather here in Manila, despite it being hot and muggy.
Jeremy, thanks for stopping by!
DeleteYes, there's quite a bit of wind (these aren't the Windward Islands for nothing), which is the only reason humankind hasn't become extinct here, haha. And there's several windmills for power generation, but they're all owned by the electricity company. It's a mafia, as is to be expected in this part of the world, and they'll fine you for using alternate sources of energy, like generators (gas-based) or solar. Not just stupid and contradictory, but also unhealthy for the environment.
One good thing? It's not as humid as Florida :) And Manila! That must definitely come close if not "worse". My grandfather used to say that humans will get used to anything except lack of food, haha, so I agree--one does acclimatize. To the point where a twenty-seven-degree evening in January (centigrade) is cold enough to merit a sweater, haha.
Thanks for organizing this blogfest--it's been a lot of fun!
Excellent post, and I love your perspective. Without the cold winter, I'd never appreciate summer days the way I do. And I really do! May you have many more Dog Days and no hurricane days.
ReplyDeleteA2Z Mommy and What’s In Between
Thank you, Tracy! Glad you enjoyed the post :) Thanks for the visit and the good wishes--much appreciated!
DeleteHaving lived in Phoenix, AZ for 13 years, I am now grateful for the change in seasons here in CO. Yes, AC can be very pricey. I bet you use lots of fans.
ReplyDeleteWhoa--AZ to CO, I can imagine that's an extreme change. As I was telling Jenny above, CO is probably my personal ideal for weather. So glad (and jealous, yes) you're there! Fans--yes, LOTS, haha!
DeleteGreat post. I love living in a city with seasons. Sometimes we holiday up north, where it's always hot, either wet and hot or dry and hot. It's lovely for a winter break but wouldn't enjoy it if it never changed.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hariklia! I so enjoyed your blog. You're right--seasons are the best, especially because of the reminder to enjoy. When nothing changes it's real easy to start taking it for granted.
DeleteGlad you stopped by!
You're absolutely right. I've never lived in the tropics but I spent most of my life in places where summer is hot, muggy and unpleasant for long stretches of time. In Vermont, summer's wonderful. The brutal winters are certainly a trade off but they make you appreciate the warmer months all the more.
ReplyDeleteWow, Vermont--closest I've been is Connecticut, I think. We did live in NJ for a couple years, and I remember those winters being harsh, but I understand VT has it even worse, right? You're right, though--it's a trade-off if it means summers get to be beautiful.
DeleteThanks for the visit!
You are so right, I would hate for it to be summer all year round especially with out shade or a pleasant breeze, winter might not always be that fun but it has it's plus points too, like snuggling up in front of a warm fire with a good book and hot choc, thank you for reminding me that winter is good too :)
ReplyDeleteGlad I could help! Come winter, I'll be very jealous of your warm fire and hot chocolate :)
DeleteThanks for the visit!
We use other people's free AC. We go to the mall or do an all day movie marathon. Its supposed to cool off this week to normal temps. Stay cool!
ReplyDeleteI cherish my 4 seasons. Each one is unique and breaks up the year. I'm not a hot weather person and want to vacation in Alaska. Stay cool down there and let's cross our fingers for a slow hurricane season.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you need some solar panels ;)
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be able to live without the rain, though hot and sunny is nice for a change :)
Thank you for the reminder. Yes, we all idealize the tropics, but they do have a down side. Just like life. You need the lows to appreciate the highs.
ReplyDeletethanks for the reminder. =)
ReplyDeleteI never thought of the flip side to living in the Caribbean. Wow! Sending cooling thoughts your way....
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog hop post!
Amanda