Gray Gray Go Away

So it’s the end of March 2014. Gray skies have dominated the month. Rain as well; days of rain. Also snow, cold, strong winds. Average temps in the 20’s rather than 40’s or low 50’s. The vernal equinox has become the infernal equinox.

Once March seemed hopeful of spring, but then it dribbled dark clouds, gloomy mists and too cold air. Winter continued on with a weather weary populace yearning for warmth and green lawns.

The latter will come with seasonal thunderstorms. Nitrogen greens the grass, don’t you know? And warming sun of longer daytime hours will pop the leaf buds on the bushes and trees.

Birdsong abounds so we know the buds will pop soon. Birds know whereof spring comes!

So patience, my friends. Patience. Winter’s grip is loosening. Spring’s tug is yet to come. Soon summer will arrive.

We are anxious for it with special focus. Our new apartment faces due west into the setting sun. We are curious as to what to expect for summer temperatures and the air conditioning load. Will it be heavy or moderate?

Our apartment has transom windows over the larger windows, I think they call these transom lights. Window coverings apply only to the lower windows so sun and moon shine brightly through the transom lights.  Will this cause heat problems for summer? Will we need to wear sun glasses indoors on bright days?

Time will tell. Meanwhile we have noted bright daytime even during gloomy days. Plenty of sky light bathes the interior of our home. And if in doubt, a huge skylight adorns the kitchen ceiling and more light is shed in what would otherwise be a dark interior room.

For now we wonder at the pitter-pat of rain on the skylight and appreciate the daytime light in our home. And the warmth as well. It seems warmer with all the natural light.

We installed oak shelves in the new kitchen, a transfer from the old one. They look perfect in the new location and match the cabinets even better than the old! Now some of our art pieces grace the kitchen and connect the sight lines to the dining and living rooms where more art rests in place.  Over all a very pleasing look! And the ever present day light streaming in lights up the art in unexpected and wonderful ways!

We have mirrors. Lots of them. They were used in the old place to brighten up dark corners and blank walls. In the apartment we don’t have dark corners but we have small spaces and the mirrors now expand that space. And, too, the mirrors reflect art and color in unexpected ways.

Again, we are experimenting with the new home and it continues to delight and surprise us.

It ‘s a good thing. At the same time we resume our usual routines and travel the same roads to our well established relationships with people, institutions and organizations. Life has changed in a personal way; but in the important dimensions life is the same, just better!

March 31, 2014