Thank you so much, Julie. It's the first place I've lived where sunshine is such a rare commodity, and it's definitely made us appreciate it all the more 🌞
I hope the new year is off to a wonderful start for you so far!
In the UK, as with you in Belgium, I look to embrace the grey and to celebrate the sun. Happy New Year, Candace, to you and your family. Enjoy your time in Uruguay ☺️
"Embrace the gray" -- that's another perfect mantra to live by in places where the sun is more of an elusive presence in our days 🌞 Love that, Sandra, and I hope you've had a wonderful start to the new year so far!
Didn’t know that about Belgium! After living in the UK for a few years, so much of our decision about where to be had to do with the sunshine and soaking up the few rays we could find (in winter - in summer, we had more daytime than we knew what to do with!). Glad you’re getting some time in the sun 🤩
Yes! Living in places like the UK and Belgium will definitely turn you into a seeker of the sun, won't it? Hope this winter holds plenty of sunshine for you as well! 🌞
WOW! I love this piece, this homage to the sun for its rarity. Curtains swept back and windows opened. Errand and naps forgotten. Drop everything and soak it in while it's here.
This is so opposite our lives in the western US (outside of Oregon and Washington). Windows on the sunward sides are small and shaded with awnings, overhangs, or trees. Curtains are drawn. We dress in long sleeves (if we're smart) and wear wide-brimmed hats. Lots of sunscreen, even on the little ones. Animals seek out the shadows in midday or come out at night. And yet, the winter sun, because we get 300+ days of sunshine here, is warm and bright. Sitting in the garden in winter is a delight because the sun's touch is gentler then and much needed against the long, dark nights.
What joy you bring in your relationship with the sun. Enjoy your sojourn in the sun. It reminds me on that little children's book, "Frederick the Mouse."
Sue, I loved your comment so much -- thanks so much for taking the time to share it with us. It feels like a perfect companion piece to my own essay, telling such a different story about a totally different relationship with the sun. It's so visual as well (from your wide-brimmed hats and long sleeves to the image of animals seeking out the shadows), that I especially love being able to picture it all.
PS -- I somehow hadn't come across "Frederick the Mouse" before, but now can't wait to check it out soon for Elena and Eva 🤍
I lived in Seattle for 14 years, and completely feel the same way about the sun - all the days of clouds and grey made the sun’s appearance even more magical and glorious.
Yes! You totally get it (and even more than I do! 14 years is a long time to live waiting for the sun to make its rare and glorious appearance in your days 🌞)
Yes! "Here comes the sun" could have totally been the name of this essay 🌞 Thanks so much for your lovely comment, Susan, and all my best new year's wishes to you as well.
Living in San Diego, I was reminded how much I take our sun for granted, grumbling when we have a spate of cloudy days, or the fog that creeps in at night lingers too long. Instead, today, another cloudy one, I will enjoy doubly since I know it will make the sun, when it does come out, even more precious.
Gorgeous! I love that you appreciate the sun all the more for its elusiveness. ☀️☀️
Thank you so much, Julie. It's the first place I've lived where sunshine is such a rare commodity, and it's definitely made us appreciate it all the more 🌞
I hope the new year is off to a wonderful start for you so far!
In the UK, as with you in Belgium, I look to embrace the grey and to celebrate the sun. Happy New Year, Candace, to you and your family. Enjoy your time in Uruguay ☺️
"Embrace the gray" -- that's another perfect mantra to live by in places where the sun is more of an elusive presence in our days 🌞 Love that, Sandra, and I hope you've had a wonderful start to the new year so far!
I love living in Ecuador.... plenty of sun!
That sounds wonderful! How long have you lived in Ecuador for, Su? 🌞
Since 12 earthquakes ago ;-)
Didn’t know that about Belgium! After living in the UK for a few years, so much of our decision about where to be had to do with the sunshine and soaking up the few rays we could find (in winter - in summer, we had more daytime than we knew what to do with!). Glad you’re getting some time in the sun 🤩
Yes! Living in places like the UK and Belgium will definitely turn you into a seeker of the sun, won't it? Hope this winter holds plenty of sunshine for you as well! 🌞
And to think, I used to complain about the 340 days per year of sunny blue skies in Zimbabwe. Sometimes I just needed some weather!
Ha! What a perfect example of the grass always being greener elsewhere -- and perhaps in this case, the skies always being bluer 🌞
WOW! I love this piece, this homage to the sun for its rarity. Curtains swept back and windows opened. Errand and naps forgotten. Drop everything and soak it in while it's here.
This is so opposite our lives in the western US (outside of Oregon and Washington). Windows on the sunward sides are small and shaded with awnings, overhangs, or trees. Curtains are drawn. We dress in long sleeves (if we're smart) and wear wide-brimmed hats. Lots of sunscreen, even on the little ones. Animals seek out the shadows in midday or come out at night. And yet, the winter sun, because we get 300+ days of sunshine here, is warm and bright. Sitting in the garden in winter is a delight because the sun's touch is gentler then and much needed against the long, dark nights.
What joy you bring in your relationship with the sun. Enjoy your sojourn in the sun. It reminds me on that little children's book, "Frederick the Mouse."
Sue, I loved your comment so much -- thanks so much for taking the time to share it with us. It feels like a perfect companion piece to my own essay, telling such a different story about a totally different relationship with the sun. It's so visual as well (from your wide-brimmed hats and long sleeves to the image of animals seeking out the shadows), that I especially love being able to picture it all.
PS -- I somehow hadn't come across "Frederick the Mouse" before, but now can't wait to check it out soon for Elena and Eva 🤍
I lived in Seattle for 14 years, and completely feel the same way about the sun - all the days of clouds and grey made the sun’s appearance even more magical and glorious.
Yes! You totally get it (and even more than I do! 14 years is a long time to live waiting for the sun to make its rare and glorious appearance in your days 🌞)
For the record, after the 14 years I moved someplace sunnier ☀️
I can definitely imagine so 😍
“Here comes the Sun…” as the old Beatles tune goes. Happy New Year Candace in southern hemisphere. Much aloha to you and your family. 🌺
Yes! "Here comes the sun" could have totally been the name of this essay 🌞 Thanks so much for your lovely comment, Susan, and all my best new year's wishes to you as well.
Living in San Diego, I was reminded how much I take our sun for granted, grumbling when we have a spate of cloudy days, or the fog that creeps in at night lingers too long. Instead, today, another cloudy one, I will enjoy doubly since I know it will make the sun, when it does come out, even more precious.
Thanks so much for your lovely comment, Louisa -- I hope 2025 will be filled with plenty of sunshine and blue skies for you 🌞
I grew up in a hot, sunny desert and had a very similar response whenever a very rare rainy day came along. 🙃