How's the Weather Out There?

There is no season such delight can bring
As summer, autumn, winter and the spring.
~William Browne

It's almost the middle of October. If you live in Idaho, you know what that means. Overnight temperatures will likely be near freezing or below, and daytime temperatures could range from cold to almost warm.

Today it is supposed to hit 72 degrees. It's sunny and so beautiful out. Definitely shorts weather. I love it!

However, it makes me feel a bit discombobulated. This time of year I try to keep the heat turned way down, especially when I sleep. Part of it is for energy conservation and lower heating bills. But a lot of it is that I simply don't want to give in to the end of summer or mild fall days, so I'm trying to put it off as long as possible. Yes, I know it never works, but there's something so final about turning on the heat after months of trying to stay cool.

At bedtime I sleep with flannel sheets and a big comforter and do just fine. When I wake up in the morning there's a chill in the house. If I don't turn up the furnace it stays just a bit cool all day, enough that I want to wear a sweater.

I find myself hanging out a little longer in the shower, with the water as hot as I can stand, just to take the chill off. I know it sort of defeats the purpose of keeping the furnace temperature down, but I just can't help myself.

I open my blinds and curtains to let the sunlight in. When I step outside, the sun warms me up. Try as I might, I can never get enough of that warmth inside the house to be comfortable. That is, until early evening when it finally warms up. Then it's almost time to snuggle in my warm covers all over again.

I'm not complaining though. I know that soon it will be really cold outside, and stay that way for months. That's when I pull my snow skis out and start planning a few ski trips. And as the weather changes I will slowly acclimate, break down and use my furnace, and won't feel the need to double my shower time.

I love living in Idaho, even with the oftentimes crazy weather. It's so nice to have seasons. I appreciate each one, and by the time they draw to an end, look forward to the next. 

Of course, if you catch me in the middle of winter I might be whining about the everlasting cold, the snow that won't melt, and the springtime that is taking its sweet old time getting here. Hawaii always sounds pretty good by the end of January.

But for now, I think I'll head outside and warm up. It's a little chilly in my house.