Spring is in the air!

Yesterday’s weather was gorgeous!

It was in the 60s and sunny. The wind was minimal. Everyone had a smile on their face. Cyclists were out. Runners were everywhere. People were walking their dogs without jackets on. I even got to wear short shorts and sit in the sun to soak up those good vibes.

Many people can relate to this, I know, but winters in Wyoming are long. (I imagine anyone reading this in Alaska or Canada will be like you have no idea!) We sit just over 6,000’ in the air, so the atmosphere is a little thinner up here. That means when the sun is gone, the temps drop like crazy, and they swing like crazy, too.

The coldest I’ve experience here has been in the -20s. By contrast, if it got into the 10s in Southern Illinois, pipes were freezing. It was also hot and muggy from March to October there, with too many mosquitoes and ticks.

So there are barely any bugs here. That’s definitely a plus. But I just can’t help it: I don’t like the cold.

There. I said it. It’s gross to have to put on 50 layers just to walk to the mailbox or drive to work without freezing. Brushing off your car and scraping ice — I’d love to find someone who enjoys that. Especially when you open your door and a bunch of snow falls right on your car seat.

Oh, and then there’s the painful feeling of your cold toes and feet and nose, sometimes within minutes depending on how frigid it is outside. Then there’s dry itchy skin, everywhere, all the time, and dry sinuses, and viruses freaking everywhere, and terrifying slippery snow-covered roads, and UGG boots, and parched blow-dried hair, and … jeez I really could go on forever.

I get seasonal depression, often called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Some people say this is because of a lack of Vitamin D, but I’ve been taking the pills for years and I haven’t been able to shake it, so they either don’t work or that’s a lie. I think people like me just really enjoy the summer. All of it, the sunshine, the social gatherings, the happiness, the freedom of being able to just go and not having to worry about bundling up.

When the weather is gross, I definitely get pissy. I’ve heard all of the excuses: People blame if on my period, that I’m just a bitch, that something is wrong with me, that I’m tired and must not have slept well, whatever. But no one ever seems to understand how horrible it feels to me when the sun hasn’t been out in like a week or I have to commute to work in terrifying conditions.

That takes a lot out of me.

So when I finally do break down and move away from here, it’s going to be because I just can’t take it anymore. I am a summer child, and I need to be out there rather than cooped up in the same places for months and months.

I was so happy to get out and ride yesterday. A cold refreshing brew afterward sealed the deal. We went to two parties. I got to sit in the sunshine in short shorts and feel the warmth and the happiness engulf my skin. This is what it’s all about.

I am so ready for you, summer! I just have to make it through this roller coaster of a spring, first. Please don’t let me down!