Blog draft feb 13 26

Weather Moods

When I was a lad, I lived in southern California. The weather was good, very good. Mostly sunny and mild. We had clouds from time to time, but rarely fully blocked sun all day long.

Even in those days my mood swung with the cloudiness of the day. Gloomy when gray, cheerful if sunny. During the day my mood changed with the weather. Early signs of SAD? Season affective disorder is a real thing and one I have experienced most of my life.

Uprooted at 11 years of age and moved to New England, I suddenly confronted four distinct seasons annually. That first winter was very long for a native southern Californian. Oh sure, the first skiffs of snow were a delight, but by winter’s end, I thought the snow would never melt away. It did, late April, I think. Long winter. Very looong.

The four seasons taught me a lot about weather variety. Along with those moods became more complicated and variable, too. Storms kicked up quickly, doused us with rain and heavy winds, then blue skies and sun ended the day. Or a sunny day soon downgraded to a cloudy mess with snow drifts by nightfall.

On to central New York State by my late teens, I suddenly met with snow that stacked sometimes higher than the roof’s eave. Shoveling the white stuff became nearly a daily rigor. Today, Syracuse, New York ranks as the snowiest city in the nation at 129 inches on average each season. Moods? I can tell you a lot about moods crafted by weather conditions!! No wonder my parents thought there was something wrong with me. SAD was full force and fury in those days.

Then I moved to Illinois for college. Yes, four full seasons, but flat land topography allowed endless westerly winds to drive both weather and precipitation through the region quickly and sometimes constantly.  Weather patterns could settle in for longer periods than New England. I think that was due to the combination of hills and east coast ocean effects.

After college I remained in Illinois. Sixty-one years now, midwestern weather moods are well established in my life. SAD is a clear and present issue in my life.  I bet it is in yours as well even if you don’t notice it.

Soon spring will occur and the mood will swing to pleasanter themes. I’m looking forward to that. Yes, I realize the moods will wobble along throughout the warmer months as they are threatened by cooler winds and sudden storms. At least, the white stuff will be months away.

February 13, 2026

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