Andrea here . . . Today I’m musing about the weather. What with all the recent climate catastrophes around the globe, it’s made me focus on how much I take for granted that whatever the day brings—rain, shine, cold or heat—it’s usually merely a minor nuisance or one of those welcome small pleasure, not something that has a profound impact on my life. Modern life, with its astounding array of ways to avoid the inconvenience of bad weather, makes it easy to forget what an awesome force it can be when roused to showing its teeth.
Here at the Wenches, we’re particularly aware of the power of weather. The horrific fires in Australia, where Anne lives, and recent the “bomb” storm, which created dangerous flooding and winds in Nicola’s part of England, are chilling reminders of how, despite our hubris in thinking we can bend Nature to our will, the cosmic forces are far beyond our control.
However, I will not launch into a rant on how we had better wake up and pay attention to the warnings science is giving us on what lies ahead if we don’t change our own behavior . . . there are enough other places on the internet where that sort of discussion is taking place. (Plus I don’t want my blood pressure to shoot through the roof!) Instead, the thought of weather also got me to musing about it in a writerly way— and here are a few (admittedly) random thoughts—sticking mostly to British historical novels.
I don’t tend to use weather as a “character” in my stories (though I do use descriptive touches, like swirls of mist or the sound of rain, to add color to a scene.) However, there are some basic literary tropes that take their essence from the weather. A fierce storm and a shipwreck—from Shakespeare’s The Tempest to Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe and Sir Walter Scott’s The Pirate, it’s proved a popular plot device.
And there’s the storm that strands a group of people at a country house or remote inn . . . Both romance and mystery writers have a heyday with that premise. In the mystery genre, the characters usually face an unexpected adversity, and often a “ticking clock”—whether it be a murderer in their midst or the pressing need to be somewhere at a certain time—will add urgency to improvising a solution. In romance, the trope can present a more beguiling challenge. The delay can spark unexpected chemistry, rekindle old flames or give time for the enemies-to-lovers trope to develop.
Weather can also be present on the page in a more subtle way, used by the author to create the aura of a threat or a metaphor for adversity. It was a very strong motif in Milton’s Paradise Lost. As for novels, Wuthering Heights immediately comes to mind. The description of the windswept moors is a metaphor for untamed Nature in both the landscape and Heathcliff and Catherine. Charles Dickens and many of his contemporaries used weather—the cold, the damp, the noxious air in London—to emphasize the struggles of working class to survive in the city.
Victorian mystery and detective novelists like Sir Artur Conan Doyle and Wilkie Collins loved using fog and rain, those two quintessentially British weather phenomenons—to send chills up a reader’s spine. And the pages often give us wing rustling through the rookeries, or the oaks on a moonlit moor to add atmosphere.
A last random thought—we tend to laugh at Jane Austen’s Regency comedy-of manners books with incessant chatter about the weather. But we tend to forget that weather had a huge influence on so much of their world—beginning with farming. A drought or flooding could mean terrible harvests, which brought with them the threat of starvation. Travel, whether by ship or carriage, was also a potentially life-threatening undertaking if the weather turned filthy. I have a feeling that we may all be coming full circle to Austen’s characters in Emma, for whom weather was a very serious topic.
What about you? Are you thinking more about the weather theses days? Do you live in a place where you’ve noticed real shifts in weather patterns? And lastly, any favorite books where weather is a key character?
So very true, Andrea! I grew up on a farm and perhaps is makes me a little more aware of weather effect than people who grew up in more protected environs. In an agricultural society, bad weather an mean lean eating in the next winter.
As a writer, of course, I love the number of characters we’ve stranded in snowstorms. *G* I’m thinking about one of those now, in fact. It’s a great literary device because it’s rooted in reality. Though I think that getting snowbound in a cozy inn with crackling fires beats being stranded in an airport lounge!
So very true, Andrea! I grew up on a farm and perhaps is makes me a little more aware of weather effect than people who grew up in more protected environs. In an agricultural society, bad weather an mean lean eating in the next winter.
As a writer, of course, I love the number of characters we’ve stranded in snowstorms. *G* I’m thinking about one of those now, in fact. It’s a great literary device because it’s rooted in reality. Though I think that getting snowbound in a cozy inn with crackling fires beats being stranded in an airport lounge!
So very true, Andrea! I grew up on a farm and perhaps is makes me a little more aware of weather effect than people who grew up in more protected environs. In an agricultural society, bad weather an mean lean eating in the next winter.
As a writer, of course, I love the number of characters we’ve stranded in snowstorms. *G* I’m thinking about one of those now, in fact. It’s a great literary device because it’s rooted in reality. Though I think that getting snowbound in a cozy inn with crackling fires beats being stranded in an airport lounge!
So very true, Andrea! I grew up on a farm and perhaps is makes me a little more aware of weather effect than people who grew up in more protected environs. In an agricultural society, bad weather an mean lean eating in the next winter.
As a writer, of course, I love the number of characters we’ve stranded in snowstorms. *G* I’m thinking about one of those now, in fact. It’s a great literary device because it’s rooted in reality. Though I think that getting snowbound in a cozy inn with crackling fires beats being stranded in an airport lounge!
So very true, Andrea! I grew up on a farm and perhaps is makes me a little more aware of weather effect than people who grew up in more protected environs. In an agricultural society, bad weather an mean lean eating in the next winter.
As a writer, of course, I love the number of characters we’ve stranded in snowstorms. *G* I’m thinking about one of those now, in fact. It’s a great literary device because it’s rooted in reality. Though I think that getting snowbound in a cozy inn with crackling fires beats being stranded in an airport lounge!
Ha, ha! Yes, today’s “strandings” are not nearly as atmospheric as those in days of yore. Hmmm, I wonder if there are any contemporary romance about airport delays. There could be some very fun stories to play with.
On a more serious note, I’m sure your growing up on a farm attuned you to the nuances—and the gravity—of weather patterns. Urban dwellers tend to forget that sun and rain can mean life and death to so many people.
Ha, ha! Yes, today’s “strandings” are not nearly as atmospheric as those in days of yore. Hmmm, I wonder if there are any contemporary romance about airport delays. There could be some very fun stories to play with.
On a more serious note, I’m sure your growing up on a farm attuned you to the nuances—and the gravity—of weather patterns. Urban dwellers tend to forget that sun and rain can mean life and death to so many people.
Ha, ha! Yes, today’s “strandings” are not nearly as atmospheric as those in days of yore. Hmmm, I wonder if there are any contemporary romance about airport delays. There could be some very fun stories to play with.
On a more serious note, I’m sure your growing up on a farm attuned you to the nuances—and the gravity—of weather patterns. Urban dwellers tend to forget that sun and rain can mean life and death to so many people.
Ha, ha! Yes, today’s “strandings” are not nearly as atmospheric as those in days of yore. Hmmm, I wonder if there are any contemporary romance about airport delays. There could be some very fun stories to play with.
On a more serious note, I’m sure your growing up on a farm attuned you to the nuances—and the gravity—of weather patterns. Urban dwellers tend to forget that sun and rain can mean life and death to so many people.
Ha, ha! Yes, today’s “strandings” are not nearly as atmospheric as those in days of yore. Hmmm, I wonder if there are any contemporary romance about airport delays. There could be some very fun stories to play with.
On a more serious note, I’m sure your growing up on a farm attuned you to the nuances—and the gravity—of weather patterns. Urban dwellers tend to forget that sun and rain can mean life and death to so many people.
When I started writing a historical novel set in SE Pennsylvania, the action taking place in and around the events leading up to the Battle of Brandywine, I discovered a history that had a day-by-day description of the weather in the summer of 1777. Know that the of the time was as hot and sticky and changeable as the weather is in the summer today helped me write immensely. Details such as the hero’s physical intolerance to the oppressive heat and humidity to the heroine’s daughter’s terrors during thunderstorms helps create drama I need to move the story along and help set the mood of my scenes.
When I started writing a historical novel set in SE Pennsylvania, the action taking place in and around the events leading up to the Battle of Brandywine, I discovered a history that had a day-by-day description of the weather in the summer of 1777. Know that the of the time was as hot and sticky and changeable as the weather is in the summer today helped me write immensely. Details such as the hero’s physical intolerance to the oppressive heat and humidity to the heroine’s daughter’s terrors during thunderstorms helps create drama I need to move the story along and help set the mood of my scenes.
When I started writing a historical novel set in SE Pennsylvania, the action taking place in and around the events leading up to the Battle of Brandywine, I discovered a history that had a day-by-day description of the weather in the summer of 1777. Know that the of the time was as hot and sticky and changeable as the weather is in the summer today helped me write immensely. Details such as the hero’s physical intolerance to the oppressive heat and humidity to the heroine’s daughter’s terrors during thunderstorms helps create drama I need to move the story along and help set the mood of my scenes.
When I started writing a historical novel set in SE Pennsylvania, the action taking place in and around the events leading up to the Battle of Brandywine, I discovered a history that had a day-by-day description of the weather in the summer of 1777. Know that the of the time was as hot and sticky and changeable as the weather is in the summer today helped me write immensely. Details such as the hero’s physical intolerance to the oppressive heat and humidity to the heroine’s daughter’s terrors during thunderstorms helps create drama I need to move the story along and help set the mood of my scenes.
When I started writing a historical novel set in SE Pennsylvania, the action taking place in and around the events leading up to the Battle of Brandywine, I discovered a history that had a day-by-day description of the weather in the summer of 1777. Know that the of the time was as hot and sticky and changeable as the weather is in the summer today helped me write immensely. Details such as the hero’s physical intolerance to the oppressive heat and humidity to the heroine’s daughter’s terrors during thunderstorms helps create drama I need to move the story along and help set the mood of my scenes.
I grew up in a city; we had regular farm reports on the morning and noontime radio news. And my parents both had relatives engaged in farming (or formerly so engaged); so, from my earliest age, I have been aware of the relationship between the weather and what’s ob my table.
Once, while I was working in Manhattan, a co-working said, “They’re always complaining about spring rain in Iowa; why should we care about Iowa?” I replied, “Because your meat costs will go up this fall?” The co-worker shrugged and walked away. But in the fall, meat costs rose and she returned to me. “How did you know? Were you raised on a farm?” So I explained about planting, grain as feed, cost of feed affecting cost of meat, and so on. And said that my information was largely radio/television based. My co-worker was impressed, but I’m not sure she ever tapped into the farm news.
As far as I know, the metropolitan New York area still fails to report on weather in relation to the areas’ tables..
I grew up in a city; we had regular farm reports on the morning and noontime radio news. And my parents both had relatives engaged in farming (or formerly so engaged); so, from my earliest age, I have been aware of the relationship between the weather and what’s ob my table.
Once, while I was working in Manhattan, a co-working said, “They’re always complaining about spring rain in Iowa; why should we care about Iowa?” I replied, “Because your meat costs will go up this fall?” The co-worker shrugged and walked away. But in the fall, meat costs rose and she returned to me. “How did you know? Were you raised on a farm?” So I explained about planting, grain as feed, cost of feed affecting cost of meat, and so on. And said that my information was largely radio/television based. My co-worker was impressed, but I’m not sure she ever tapped into the farm news.
As far as I know, the metropolitan New York area still fails to report on weather in relation to the areas’ tables..
I grew up in a city; we had regular farm reports on the morning and noontime radio news. And my parents both had relatives engaged in farming (or formerly so engaged); so, from my earliest age, I have been aware of the relationship between the weather and what’s ob my table.
Once, while I was working in Manhattan, a co-working said, “They’re always complaining about spring rain in Iowa; why should we care about Iowa?” I replied, “Because your meat costs will go up this fall?” The co-worker shrugged and walked away. But in the fall, meat costs rose and she returned to me. “How did you know? Were you raised on a farm?” So I explained about planting, grain as feed, cost of feed affecting cost of meat, and so on. And said that my information was largely radio/television based. My co-worker was impressed, but I’m not sure she ever tapped into the farm news.
As far as I know, the metropolitan New York area still fails to report on weather in relation to the areas’ tables..
I grew up in a city; we had regular farm reports on the morning and noontime radio news. And my parents both had relatives engaged in farming (or formerly so engaged); so, from my earliest age, I have been aware of the relationship between the weather and what’s ob my table.
Once, while I was working in Manhattan, a co-working said, “They’re always complaining about spring rain in Iowa; why should we care about Iowa?” I replied, “Because your meat costs will go up this fall?” The co-worker shrugged and walked away. But in the fall, meat costs rose and she returned to me. “How did you know? Were you raised on a farm?” So I explained about planting, grain as feed, cost of feed affecting cost of meat, and so on. And said that my information was largely radio/television based. My co-worker was impressed, but I’m not sure she ever tapped into the farm news.
As far as I know, the metropolitan New York area still fails to report on weather in relation to the areas’ tables..
I grew up in a city; we had regular farm reports on the morning and noontime radio news. And my parents both had relatives engaged in farming (or formerly so engaged); so, from my earliest age, I have been aware of the relationship between the weather and what’s ob my table.
Once, while I was working in Manhattan, a co-working said, “They’re always complaining about spring rain in Iowa; why should we care about Iowa?” I replied, “Because your meat costs will go up this fall?” The co-worker shrugged and walked away. But in the fall, meat costs rose and she returned to me. “How did you know? Were you raised on a farm?” So I explained about planting, grain as feed, cost of feed affecting cost of meat, and so on. And said that my information was largely radio/television based. My co-worker was impressed, but I’m not sure she ever tapped into the farm news.
As far as I know, the metropolitan New York area still fails to report on weather in relation to the areas’ tables..
I know I’ve read a romance that features an airport delay; if only I could remember the title! One I haven’t read but about which I’ve heard good things is The Layover by Roe Horvat.
I know I’ve read a romance that features an airport delay; if only I could remember the title! One I haven’t read but about which I’ve heard good things is The Layover by Roe Horvat.
I know I’ve read a romance that features an airport delay; if only I could remember the title! One I haven’t read but about which I’ve heard good things is The Layover by Roe Horvat.
I know I’ve read a romance that features an airport delay; if only I could remember the title! One I haven’t read but about which I’ve heard good things is The Layover by Roe Horvat.
I know I’ve read a romance that features an airport delay; if only I could remember the title! One I haven’t read but about which I’ve heard good things is The Layover by Roe Horvat.
Thanks, Kareni. I figured it was probably done. It’s a fun modern twist on the snowed-in inn trope, and has a lot of fun possibilities.
Thanks, Kareni. I figured it was probably done. It’s a fun modern twist on the snowed-in inn trope, and has a lot of fun possibilities.
Thanks, Kareni. I figured it was probably done. It’s a fun modern twist on the snowed-in inn trope, and has a lot of fun possibilities.
Thanks, Kareni. I figured it was probably done. It’s a fun modern twist on the snowed-in inn trope, and has a lot of fun possibilities.
Thanks, Kareni. I figured it was probably done. It’s a fun modern twist on the snowed-in inn trope, and has a lot of fun possibilities.
The daily weather descriptions sound fascinating, Pamela. The hardships of extreme weather and how they affect characters in a story is definitely very dramatic and can really help bring out facets of their personality. Even more so because it’s something we all can relate to.
The daily weather descriptions sound fascinating, Pamela. The hardships of extreme weather and how they affect characters in a story is definitely very dramatic and can really help bring out facets of their personality. Even more so because it’s something we all can relate to.
The daily weather descriptions sound fascinating, Pamela. The hardships of extreme weather and how they affect characters in a story is definitely very dramatic and can really help bring out facets of their personality. Even more so because it’s something we all can relate to.
The daily weather descriptions sound fascinating, Pamela. The hardships of extreme weather and how they affect characters in a story is definitely very dramatic and can really help bring out facets of their personality. Even more so because it’s something we all can relate to.
The daily weather descriptions sound fascinating, Pamela. The hardships of extreme weather and how they affect characters in a story is definitely very dramatic and can really help bring out facets of their personality. Even more so because it’s something we all can relate to.
Sue, we all should be more attuned farm reports. (What a hard and stressful occupation farming is. I really admire who have the fortitude and resilience to do it.) We all really do tend to take for granted that our supermarkets magically overflow with both staples and delicacies. That may change going forward, as water issues grow more severe, and climates change.
Sue, we all should be more attuned farm reports. (What a hard and stressful occupation farming is. I really admire who have the fortitude and resilience to do it.) We all really do tend to take for granted that our supermarkets magically overflow with both staples and delicacies. That may change going forward, as water issues grow more severe, and climates change.
Sue, we all should be more attuned farm reports. (What a hard and stressful occupation farming is. I really admire who have the fortitude and resilience to do it.) We all really do tend to take for granted that our supermarkets magically overflow with both staples and delicacies. That may change going forward, as water issues grow more severe, and climates change.
Sue, we all should be more attuned farm reports. (What a hard and stressful occupation farming is. I really admire who have the fortitude and resilience to do it.) We all really do tend to take for granted that our supermarkets magically overflow with both staples and delicacies. That may change going forward, as water issues grow more severe, and climates change.
Sue, we all should be more attuned farm reports. (What a hard and stressful occupation farming is. I really admire who have the fortitude and resilience to do it.) We all really do tend to take for granted that our supermarkets magically overflow with both staples and delicacies. That may change going forward, as water issues grow more severe, and climates change.
“A dark and stormy night” will always suck me right into a story. Or a hansom cab with the horse clip-clopping through the fog. Or the rain blowing against the windows as you sit by the fire, warm and dry. Or the oppressive heat and humidity as you sit on the verandah, waiting, waiting…
I love weather as part of the narrative, wrapping the reader in the sensuous experience. It’s an essential part of world building.
“A dark and stormy night” will always suck me right into a story. Or a hansom cab with the horse clip-clopping through the fog. Or the rain blowing against the windows as you sit by the fire, warm and dry. Or the oppressive heat and humidity as you sit on the verandah, waiting, waiting…
I love weather as part of the narrative, wrapping the reader in the sensuous experience. It’s an essential part of world building.
“A dark and stormy night” will always suck me right into a story. Or a hansom cab with the horse clip-clopping through the fog. Or the rain blowing against the windows as you sit by the fire, warm and dry. Or the oppressive heat and humidity as you sit on the verandah, waiting, waiting…
I love weather as part of the narrative, wrapping the reader in the sensuous experience. It’s an essential part of world building.
“A dark and stormy night” will always suck me right into a story. Or a hansom cab with the horse clip-clopping through the fog. Or the rain blowing against the windows as you sit by the fire, warm and dry. Or the oppressive heat and humidity as you sit on the verandah, waiting, waiting…
I love weather as part of the narrative, wrapping the reader in the sensuous experience. It’s an essential part of world building.
“A dark and stormy night” will always suck me right into a story. Or a hansom cab with the horse clip-clopping through the fog. Or the rain blowing against the windows as you sit by the fire, warm and dry. Or the oppressive heat and humidity as you sit on the verandah, waiting, waiting…
I love weather as part of the narrative, wrapping the reader in the sensuous experience. It’s an essential part of world building.
Mary Balogh’s “The Notorious Rake” begins with a sexual encounter in a thunderstorm. It was a highly unusual trad Regency in that the actual love story begins after that explosive encounter. Watching the characters personalities and histories be slowly revealed and love form, in a sense, backward, was quite the revelation when I read the book years ago. It remains one of my favorite Balogh’s, and one of my favorite romances, and it’s one of those books I actually reread periodically.
Mary Balogh’s “The Notorious Rake” begins with a sexual encounter in a thunderstorm. It was a highly unusual trad Regency in that the actual love story begins after that explosive encounter. Watching the characters personalities and histories be slowly revealed and love form, in a sense, backward, was quite the revelation when I read the book years ago. It remains one of my favorite Balogh’s, and one of my favorite romances, and it’s one of those books I actually reread periodically.
Mary Balogh’s “The Notorious Rake” begins with a sexual encounter in a thunderstorm. It was a highly unusual trad Regency in that the actual love story begins after that explosive encounter. Watching the characters personalities and histories be slowly revealed and love form, in a sense, backward, was quite the revelation when I read the book years ago. It remains one of my favorite Balogh’s, and one of my favorite romances, and it’s one of those books I actually reread periodically.
Mary Balogh’s “The Notorious Rake” begins with a sexual encounter in a thunderstorm. It was a highly unusual trad Regency in that the actual love story begins after that explosive encounter. Watching the characters personalities and histories be slowly revealed and love form, in a sense, backward, was quite the revelation when I read the book years ago. It remains one of my favorite Balogh’s, and one of my favorite romances, and it’s one of those books I actually reread periodically.
Mary Balogh’s “The Notorious Rake” begins with a sexual encounter in a thunderstorm. It was a highly unusual trad Regency in that the actual love story begins after that explosive encounter. Watching the characters personalities and histories be slowly revealed and love form, in a sense, backward, was quite the revelation when I read the book years ago. It remains one of my favorite Balogh’s, and one of my favorite romances, and it’s one of those books I actually reread periodically.
I didn’t grow up on a farm or have farmers in my family except way back. However….we had no AC while growing up. As well, I’ve had a number of vehicles that either had no AC or it died and then I went 5 years with no AC. In the deep, humid, sunny south…
As well, I garden, hike, and have taught outdoors. All of those reasons have caused me to be highly aware of the weather. I LOVE having a weather app on my phone so I can watch and see how fast I need to hurry up and get done before the storm blows in. I also frequently zoom out to see what is happening nationwide.
Another way I keep up with the weather in other parts of the country (world) is through relatives on FB, Wench reports, and by following an Apple Farm up in Pennsylvania. Even GA has weather extremes from one part of the state to the other. My husband goes skiing in Colorado and gets daily snow reports.
Ummm, so yes, I’m somewhat weather obsessed as I’m aware of how not enough cold weather chilling hours impacts fruit development. Hail ruins the fruit/veggies. Too cold, too wet, too dry all impact how much is eventually produced. The tension of sweating out those late cold spells on blooms or just fruited out fruit trees. The devastation that cold spells cause in Florida in the citrus fruit orchards and the winter vegetable crops. On and on….
Right now we are at 11 inches of rain in Georgia for the month when we usually average 5 inches in February. Everything is flooded and soggy. I’m very careful how much water I send into my septic system right now.
The biggest weather shift I’ve noticed is that the last frost comes 10 days earlier and the first frost in the fall 10 days later than it did 15 years ago. As well…mosquitoes hatch out earlier and last longer so there are fewer mosquito free days. BLEAH……
I didn’t grow up on a farm or have farmers in my family except way back. However….we had no AC while growing up. As well, I’ve had a number of vehicles that either had no AC or it died and then I went 5 years with no AC. In the deep, humid, sunny south…
As well, I garden, hike, and have taught outdoors. All of those reasons have caused me to be highly aware of the weather. I LOVE having a weather app on my phone so I can watch and see how fast I need to hurry up and get done before the storm blows in. I also frequently zoom out to see what is happening nationwide.
Another way I keep up with the weather in other parts of the country (world) is through relatives on FB, Wench reports, and by following an Apple Farm up in Pennsylvania. Even GA has weather extremes from one part of the state to the other. My husband goes skiing in Colorado and gets daily snow reports.
Ummm, so yes, I’m somewhat weather obsessed as I’m aware of how not enough cold weather chilling hours impacts fruit development. Hail ruins the fruit/veggies. Too cold, too wet, too dry all impact how much is eventually produced. The tension of sweating out those late cold spells on blooms or just fruited out fruit trees. The devastation that cold spells cause in Florida in the citrus fruit orchards and the winter vegetable crops. On and on….
Right now we are at 11 inches of rain in Georgia for the month when we usually average 5 inches in February. Everything is flooded and soggy. I’m very careful how much water I send into my septic system right now.
The biggest weather shift I’ve noticed is that the last frost comes 10 days earlier and the first frost in the fall 10 days later than it did 15 years ago. As well…mosquitoes hatch out earlier and last longer so there are fewer mosquito free days. BLEAH……
I didn’t grow up on a farm or have farmers in my family except way back. However….we had no AC while growing up. As well, I’ve had a number of vehicles that either had no AC or it died and then I went 5 years with no AC. In the deep, humid, sunny south…
As well, I garden, hike, and have taught outdoors. All of those reasons have caused me to be highly aware of the weather. I LOVE having a weather app on my phone so I can watch and see how fast I need to hurry up and get done before the storm blows in. I also frequently zoom out to see what is happening nationwide.
Another way I keep up with the weather in other parts of the country (world) is through relatives on FB, Wench reports, and by following an Apple Farm up in Pennsylvania. Even GA has weather extremes from one part of the state to the other. My husband goes skiing in Colorado and gets daily snow reports.
Ummm, so yes, I’m somewhat weather obsessed as I’m aware of how not enough cold weather chilling hours impacts fruit development. Hail ruins the fruit/veggies. Too cold, too wet, too dry all impact how much is eventually produced. The tension of sweating out those late cold spells on blooms or just fruited out fruit trees. The devastation that cold spells cause in Florida in the citrus fruit orchards and the winter vegetable crops. On and on….
Right now we are at 11 inches of rain in Georgia for the month when we usually average 5 inches in February. Everything is flooded and soggy. I’m very careful how much water I send into my septic system right now.
The biggest weather shift I’ve noticed is that the last frost comes 10 days earlier and the first frost in the fall 10 days later than it did 15 years ago. As well…mosquitoes hatch out earlier and last longer so there are fewer mosquito free days. BLEAH……
I didn’t grow up on a farm or have farmers in my family except way back. However….we had no AC while growing up. As well, I’ve had a number of vehicles that either had no AC or it died and then I went 5 years with no AC. In the deep, humid, sunny south…
As well, I garden, hike, and have taught outdoors. All of those reasons have caused me to be highly aware of the weather. I LOVE having a weather app on my phone so I can watch and see how fast I need to hurry up and get done before the storm blows in. I also frequently zoom out to see what is happening nationwide.
Another way I keep up with the weather in other parts of the country (world) is through relatives on FB, Wench reports, and by following an Apple Farm up in Pennsylvania. Even GA has weather extremes from one part of the state to the other. My husband goes skiing in Colorado and gets daily snow reports.
Ummm, so yes, I’m somewhat weather obsessed as I’m aware of how not enough cold weather chilling hours impacts fruit development. Hail ruins the fruit/veggies. Too cold, too wet, too dry all impact how much is eventually produced. The tension of sweating out those late cold spells on blooms or just fruited out fruit trees. The devastation that cold spells cause in Florida in the citrus fruit orchards and the winter vegetable crops. On and on….
Right now we are at 11 inches of rain in Georgia for the month when we usually average 5 inches in February. Everything is flooded and soggy. I’m very careful how much water I send into my septic system right now.
The biggest weather shift I’ve noticed is that the last frost comes 10 days earlier and the first frost in the fall 10 days later than it did 15 years ago. As well…mosquitoes hatch out earlier and last longer so there are fewer mosquito free days. BLEAH……
I didn’t grow up on a farm or have farmers in my family except way back. However….we had no AC while growing up. As well, I’ve had a number of vehicles that either had no AC or it died and then I went 5 years with no AC. In the deep, humid, sunny south…
As well, I garden, hike, and have taught outdoors. All of those reasons have caused me to be highly aware of the weather. I LOVE having a weather app on my phone so I can watch and see how fast I need to hurry up and get done before the storm blows in. I also frequently zoom out to see what is happening nationwide.
Another way I keep up with the weather in other parts of the country (world) is through relatives on FB, Wench reports, and by following an Apple Farm up in Pennsylvania. Even GA has weather extremes from one part of the state to the other. My husband goes skiing in Colorado and gets daily snow reports.
Ummm, so yes, I’m somewhat weather obsessed as I’m aware of how not enough cold weather chilling hours impacts fruit development. Hail ruins the fruit/veggies. Too cold, too wet, too dry all impact how much is eventually produced. The tension of sweating out those late cold spells on blooms or just fruited out fruit trees. The devastation that cold spells cause in Florida in the citrus fruit orchards and the winter vegetable crops. On and on….
Right now we are at 11 inches of rain in Georgia for the month when we usually average 5 inches in February. Everything is flooded and soggy. I’m very careful how much water I send into my septic system right now.
The biggest weather shift I’ve noticed is that the last frost comes 10 days earlier and the first frost in the fall 10 days later than it did 15 years ago. As well…mosquitoes hatch out earlier and last longer so there are fewer mosquito free days. BLEAH……
So: weather is a highly interesting topic. Thank you all, especially Vicki L for making it so alive. I’ve gotten complacent, living where it’s an unusual day when there are more than puffy white clouds accenting the blue of the sky. I think I’ll be more vigilant from now on!
So: weather is a highly interesting topic. Thank you all, especially Vicki L for making it so alive. I’ve gotten complacent, living where it’s an unusual day when there are more than puffy white clouds accenting the blue of the sky. I think I’ll be more vigilant from now on!
So: weather is a highly interesting topic. Thank you all, especially Vicki L for making it so alive. I’ve gotten complacent, living where it’s an unusual day when there are more than puffy white clouds accenting the blue of the sky. I think I’ll be more vigilant from now on!
So: weather is a highly interesting topic. Thank you all, especially Vicki L for making it so alive. I’ve gotten complacent, living where it’s an unusual day when there are more than puffy white clouds accenting the blue of the sky. I think I’ll be more vigilant from now on!
So: weather is a highly interesting topic. Thank you all, especially Vicki L for making it so alive. I’ve gotten complacent, living where it’s an unusual day when there are more than puffy white clouds accenting the blue of the sky. I think I’ll be more vigilant from now on!
I have always loved to watch the weather patterns. I lived in the countryside in my early years. In 9th grade science we had a segment on weather and I loved that. If women could have gone into meteorology when I graduated I would have done so. I moved to NYC and most did not care or watch the weather changes, rather they would complain. When I lived in Wash DC we had some huge snowfall events and humid summers. (My husband enjoyed telling others that the British government paid their consulate staff more to serve in DC due to the depressive humid heat of summer there.)
Now I am back in the country surrounded by farmers fields and can observe their challenges by the changing of the climate.
I have always been aware of how the economy is affected by the weather.
I love to read books that tell about the weather as it gives a mood to the story line. I still keep a record each year of bird arrival and departure, flowers in bloom, the amount of precipitation and weather each day, and other interesting observations. It is interesting to look back over the years in my calendars, to see the changes.
I have always loved to watch the weather patterns. I lived in the countryside in my early years. In 9th grade science we had a segment on weather and I loved that. If women could have gone into meteorology when I graduated I would have done so. I moved to NYC and most did not care or watch the weather changes, rather they would complain. When I lived in Wash DC we had some huge snowfall events and humid summers. (My husband enjoyed telling others that the British government paid their consulate staff more to serve in DC due to the depressive humid heat of summer there.)
Now I am back in the country surrounded by farmers fields and can observe their challenges by the changing of the climate.
I have always been aware of how the economy is affected by the weather.
I love to read books that tell about the weather as it gives a mood to the story line. I still keep a record each year of bird arrival and departure, flowers in bloom, the amount of precipitation and weather each day, and other interesting observations. It is interesting to look back over the years in my calendars, to see the changes.
I have always loved to watch the weather patterns. I lived in the countryside in my early years. In 9th grade science we had a segment on weather and I loved that. If women could have gone into meteorology when I graduated I would have done so. I moved to NYC and most did not care or watch the weather changes, rather they would complain. When I lived in Wash DC we had some huge snowfall events and humid summers. (My husband enjoyed telling others that the British government paid their consulate staff more to serve in DC due to the depressive humid heat of summer there.)
Now I am back in the country surrounded by farmers fields and can observe their challenges by the changing of the climate.
I have always been aware of how the economy is affected by the weather.
I love to read books that tell about the weather as it gives a mood to the story line. I still keep a record each year of bird arrival and departure, flowers in bloom, the amount of precipitation and weather each day, and other interesting observations. It is interesting to look back over the years in my calendars, to see the changes.
I have always loved to watch the weather patterns. I lived in the countryside in my early years. In 9th grade science we had a segment on weather and I loved that. If women could have gone into meteorology when I graduated I would have done so. I moved to NYC and most did not care or watch the weather changes, rather they would complain. When I lived in Wash DC we had some huge snowfall events and humid summers. (My husband enjoyed telling others that the British government paid their consulate staff more to serve in DC due to the depressive humid heat of summer there.)
Now I am back in the country surrounded by farmers fields and can observe their challenges by the changing of the climate.
I have always been aware of how the economy is affected by the weather.
I love to read books that tell about the weather as it gives a mood to the story line. I still keep a record each year of bird arrival and departure, flowers in bloom, the amount of precipitation and weather each day, and other interesting observations. It is interesting to look back over the years in my calendars, to see the changes.
I have always loved to watch the weather patterns. I lived in the countryside in my early years. In 9th grade science we had a segment on weather and I loved that. If women could have gone into meteorology when I graduated I would have done so. I moved to NYC and most did not care or watch the weather changes, rather they would complain. When I lived in Wash DC we had some huge snowfall events and humid summers. (My husband enjoyed telling others that the British government paid their consulate staff more to serve in DC due to the depressive humid heat of summer there.)
Now I am back in the country surrounded by farmers fields and can observe their challenges by the changing of the climate.
I have always been aware of how the economy is affected by the weather.
I love to read books that tell about the weather as it gives a mood to the story line. I still keep a record each year of bird arrival and departure, flowers in bloom, the amount of precipitation and weather each day, and other interesting observations. It is interesting to look back over the years in my calendars, to see the changes.
I live in Texas and one of the changes here is that last year we had more days of 100+ degrees. It appears that the weather people predict we will continue to have more warmer days in both summer and winter.
And yes, in central Texas there have been recent floods which were extremely damaging.
I live in Texas and one of the changes here is that last year we had more days of 100+ degrees. It appears that the weather people predict we will continue to have more warmer days in both summer and winter.
And yes, in central Texas there have been recent floods which were extremely damaging.
I live in Texas and one of the changes here is that last year we had more days of 100+ degrees. It appears that the weather people predict we will continue to have more warmer days in both summer and winter.
And yes, in central Texas there have been recent floods which were extremely damaging.
I live in Texas and one of the changes here is that last year we had more days of 100+ degrees. It appears that the weather people predict we will continue to have more warmer days in both summer and winter.
And yes, in central Texas there have been recent floods which were extremely damaging.
I live in Texas and one of the changes here is that last year we had more days of 100+ degrees. It appears that the weather people predict we will continue to have more warmer days in both summer and winter.
And yes, in central Texas there have been recent floods which were extremely damaging.
Susan, I haven’t read that Balogh, but I’ve just placed it atop the TBR pile. Love the idea of the opening, and can’t wait to read it Yes, weather is a powerful symbol.
Susan, I haven’t read that Balogh, but I’ve just placed it atop the TBR pile. Love the idea of the opening, and can’t wait to read it Yes, weather is a powerful symbol.
Susan, I haven’t read that Balogh, but I’ve just placed it atop the TBR pile. Love the idea of the opening, and can’t wait to read it Yes, weather is a powerful symbol.
Susan, I haven’t read that Balogh, but I’ve just placed it atop the TBR pile. Love the idea of the opening, and can’t wait to read it Yes, weather is a powerful symbol.
Susan, I haven’t read that Balogh, but I’ve just placed it atop the TBR pile. Love the idea of the opening, and can’t wait to read it Yes, weather is a powerful symbol.
Vicki. I’m VERY impressed by aware you are of what is going on in the natural, both close to home and afar. I’ve noticed a change up in New England, where I’ve lived most of my life. As a kid, I was used to snow on the ground from December to March, and it was COLD! This year, we’ve had maybe two inches of snow total, and the temperature has rarely dropped below freezing. It was 60 degree and sunny for my walk yesterday. And that’s been the pattern for the last number years. We’re definitely getting warmer, and winter, when it appears at all, comes later.
Ugh on the mosquitos!
Vicki. I’m VERY impressed by aware you are of what is going on in the natural, both close to home and afar. I’ve noticed a change up in New England, where I’ve lived most of my life. As a kid, I was used to snow on the ground from December to March, and it was COLD! This year, we’ve had maybe two inches of snow total, and the temperature has rarely dropped below freezing. It was 60 degree and sunny for my walk yesterday. And that’s been the pattern for the last number years. We’re definitely getting warmer, and winter, when it appears at all, comes later.
Ugh on the mosquitos!
Vicki. I’m VERY impressed by aware you are of what is going on in the natural, both close to home and afar. I’ve noticed a change up in New England, where I’ve lived most of my life. As a kid, I was used to snow on the ground from December to March, and it was COLD! This year, we’ve had maybe two inches of snow total, and the temperature has rarely dropped below freezing. It was 60 degree and sunny for my walk yesterday. And that’s been the pattern for the last number years. We’re definitely getting warmer, and winter, when it appears at all, comes later.
Ugh on the mosquitos!
Vicki. I’m VERY impressed by aware you are of what is going on in the natural, both close to home and afar. I’ve noticed a change up in New England, where I’ve lived most of my life. As a kid, I was used to snow on the ground from December to March, and it was COLD! This year, we’ve had maybe two inches of snow total, and the temperature has rarely dropped below freezing. It was 60 degree and sunny for my walk yesterday. And that’s been the pattern for the last number years. We’re definitely getting warmer, and winter, when it appears at all, comes later.
Ugh on the mosquitos!
Vicki. I’m VERY impressed by aware you are of what is going on in the natural, both close to home and afar. I’ve noticed a change up in New England, where I’ve lived most of my life. As a kid, I was used to snow on the ground from December to March, and it was COLD! This year, we’ve had maybe two inches of snow total, and the temperature has rarely dropped below freezing. It was 60 degree and sunny for my walk yesterday. And that’s been the pattern for the last number years. We’re definitely getting warmer, and winter, when it appears at all, comes later.
Ugh on the mosquitos!
Consider yourself lucky, Mary! Boring is good these days!
Consider yourself lucky, Mary! Boring is good these days!
Consider yourself lucky, Mary! Boring is good these days!
Consider yourself lucky, Mary! Boring is good these days!
Consider yourself lucky, Mary! Boring is good these days!
Margot, it sounds like you would have been a wonderful meteorologist! I love that you keep journals of the birds and blooms, and weather patters around you. It reminds me of the early 19th century scientists, who were so curious about the world and how it worked. Empirical observation really makes you think about those sorts of things.
When I take my daily walk, I’m always watching the changing light, and observing the birds and the wind, etc. I think it’s sad that so many people have lost their connection to Nature.
Margot, it sounds like you would have been a wonderful meteorologist! I love that you keep journals of the birds and blooms, and weather patters around you. It reminds me of the early 19th century scientists, who were so curious about the world and how it worked. Empirical observation really makes you think about those sorts of things.
When I take my daily walk, I’m always watching the changing light, and observing the birds and the wind, etc. I think it’s sad that so many people have lost their connection to Nature.
Margot, it sounds like you would have been a wonderful meteorologist! I love that you keep journals of the birds and blooms, and weather patters around you. It reminds me of the early 19th century scientists, who were so curious about the world and how it worked. Empirical observation really makes you think about those sorts of things.
When I take my daily walk, I’m always watching the changing light, and observing the birds and the wind, etc. I think it’s sad that so many people have lost their connection to Nature.
Margot, it sounds like you would have been a wonderful meteorologist! I love that you keep journals of the birds and blooms, and weather patters around you. It reminds me of the early 19th century scientists, who were so curious about the world and how it worked. Empirical observation really makes you think about those sorts of things.
When I take my daily walk, I’m always watching the changing light, and observing the birds and the wind, etc. I think it’s sad that so many people have lost their connection to Nature.
Margot, it sounds like you would have been a wonderful meteorologist! I love that you keep journals of the birds and blooms, and weather patters around you. It reminds me of the early 19th century scientists, who were so curious about the world and how it worked. Empirical observation really makes you think about those sorts of things.
When I take my daily walk, I’m always watching the changing light, and observing the birds and the wind, etc. I think it’s sad that so many people have lost their connection to Nature.
Annette, a lot of places seem to be turner so warm that it will soon be a real problem simply trying to live there. There will be hard choices ahead.
Annette, a lot of places seem to be turner so warm that it will soon be a real problem simply trying to live there. There will be hard choices ahead.
Annette, a lot of places seem to be turner so warm that it will soon be a real problem simply trying to live there. There will be hard choices ahead.
Annette, a lot of places seem to be turner so warm that it will soon be a real problem simply trying to live there. There will be hard choices ahead.
Annette, a lot of places seem to be turner so warm that it will soon be a real problem simply trying to live there. There will be hard choices ahead.