Weather isn't always perfect, but it comes close.

Weather is something we all know, so it's unsurprising to find it mentioned in stories all the time. What I find interesting is how the focus tends to be on the moody aspects. For instance, "It was a hot and sultry day," or "Cold rain cut through my clothes, soaking me to the skin." It's a happy occasion to find good things about the weather, like my favorite scene from "The Hobbit" book, where Bilbo climbs past the forest treetop and pokes his head into the sun-drenched paradise above the horrible forest of Mirkwood. I adore that scene, because it stands in such stark contrast to the dreadfulness below. Also, it's the first story scene I ever read where I could absolutely see it completely--just like it was playing out in front of my eyes (a magical experience for a third grader).

Typically, people complain about the weather, or totally ignore it. Like so many things, we love to complain but are slow to enjoy. I'm not sure why we human beings do this. Why can't we roll in the grass when the sun is shining? Why not skip through the puddles after a rain? Why don't we grin into the wind and laugh at the moon? Yes, we can enjoy the weather when it's good. We don't always have to complain. Which brings me to one of the few jokes I know: What do you get when you put a bunch of farmers in the basement? --- A whine cellar. <You see, farmers pout about everything, because nothing is ever perfect ... yeah? funny huh?>

Despite all this, we still love to talk about the weather. In fact, it's such a cliché that we joke about how often we speak about it. Yet, it's frequently the very first thing we talk about with someone. So, it's no surprise to find weather in our stories. It's a background feature generally, but when it's the focus there's nothing holding it back. I suppose the best thing about weather in stories is that it absolutely obeys the author, setting the scene and ambience for whatever they have in mind. Plus, it's easy to strand characters by using weather--also, most suspense stories wouldn't exist without some kind of horrible weather.

- M

Hot and cold

People tend to talk about the weather wherever you go. Be it simple small talk, or actually a main topic, the weather affects us all. There's an old joke about farmers that goes: "What do you call a bunch of farmers hanging out in the basement? Answer: A whine cellar." (for those who don't understand, the weather is never good enough for farmers ... it's too dry ... it's too wet ... there's too little rain ... there's too much ... and on and on).

It goes to show how we will complain about anything and everything. How crazy to comment about things we have no control over and directly benefit from? I challenge everyone to find something good to say about the weather for the next week straight. Can you do it? Of course. And, I'll bet you find much positive to say about a lot of other things as well. You see, optimism is contagious. Spread it far and wide. Want to change the world? Well, start with being happy about the world you live in (but, not crazy and overboard, that's just weird).

So, while it's been cold and warm here, I am happy to say I've survived. I expect to finish out the day and look forward to another adventure tomorrow! Maybe I'll fight a dragon, or ride a rocket, or enjoy a wonderful beach ... or, I'll just sit at work and type for a while ... eh, it all works just fine. But, I'd prefer a dragon if you know any.

- M

Change in the weather, change of season, change of mind

With the beginning of Fall, I'm reminded by how much I enjoy watching the seasons change. I love the colder weather, especially when it snows, and enjoy the leaves changing colors. People are oddly sensitive to changes in nature--the old howling at the Moon aspect comes to mind--and may become very moody for various reasons. To me, nature's many changes is like a listening to a wonderful symphony. Sure, there's lots of different things going on, but it all works together and forms a masterwork every time.

Seasons all have their own special beauties (though I can make a case for Summer being mostly awful). I have a lifetime of special memories in every season, any kind of weather, and with all kinds of temperaments. We have a saying, which goes, "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes." I suspect this saying is true nearly anywhere in the world to a certain extent. Take a little bit of time and enjoy the wonder of it all.

Do you have a favorite season, or weather? My wife adores the sounds of rainstorms and thunderstorms (so I've found a neat app which does those sounds by random and therefore never repeats itself). It's very relaxing and gentle, in the same way that sea surf rolling onto a beach eases the soul. Crickets, frogs, and all sorts of animals also make noise people enjoy, but I doubt I'll ever join that crowd. Perhaps I'll change my mind later.. or the weather will vary to make me happy.

- M

Snow and Ice

I've often spoken about my love of snow. It's powdery, fluffy, sparkling, enchanting and magical stuff. However, like so many other things, there's an evil side of it ... ice. Yeesh, ice is only good on banquet tables when it's carved into a swan, or floating in your favorite beverage in little cubes. Ice is heavy, so it knocks down power poles, and ice is tough to scratch off your vehicle windows--so fools only scrape a small window to see through as they drive. Worst of all, ice is slippery. I've fallen on ice, slid on ice (while walking or driving), and gotten hurt on ice (again, while walking or driving). Ice is a nasty bit of work.


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These two items do fit very nicely among the many things that it's pleasant to see but not interact with. Look out your window and see your shrubbery frozen by ice and you may smile quite a lot. However, look out another window and see your car covered with ice and you won't smile at all. I can only imagine the consternation a city manager must deal with when reports of massive ice storms ruins their day (though I live in a typically warm state, so maybe I'm overthinking this issue). Somehow, I can't imagine anyone clapping upon hearing that an ice storm is imminent.

Weather is a topic of discussion wherever you live, and since it constantly changes we many times point to it for examples of certain people. Lightning quick. Stormy personality. Sunny disposition. Gloomy. Overcast. There are a thousand descriptions tied specifically to the weather. Why? Easy, because we all understand general weather. Using weather to describe things is a powerful method to capture the imagination, and draw out emotion.

So, have you heard anyone say they love ice? Can't say I have, but it sure is pretty cut into a swan...

- M