Dan Antion

I Have Reached That Point – #1LinerWeds

We were trying to squeeze a walk in between thunderstorms.

Twice a year, I make the false promise that I won’t complain about the weather six months in the future.

That’s my one-liner. As the title suggests, I’ve reached that point. Right now, if the temperature dropped below freezing and it started snowing, I – would – not – complain.

Each year in January, when I’m bundling up and putting Maddie’s vest on in order to take her for a walk, I always say I won’t complain about the heat in July. Of course when July rolls around, and I’m walking Maddie at 6:30 am because we’re on our way to a “heat index” of 105°f (41°c), I forget all of that. I forget about the opposite “feels like” weather phenomenon – wind chill, that causes single-digit Fahrenheit temperatures to feel like below-zero.

Today, this week, almost every day for the past four weeks, I forget the bitter cold. I forget that I can’t work in my workshop because I can’t stand to pick up a steel tool or lean on a cast iron table. Today, when I get in my car and wish the AC would work faster, I forget about having to get out and scrape the windshield before leaving (while waiting for the heat to make a difference between the interior and exterior temperature). Still, today, I’d trade for those conditions.

This post is part of Linda G. Hill’s fun weekly series One-Liner Wednesday. If you have a one-liner, I’d encourage you to join in on the fun. You can follow this link to participate and to see the one-liners from the other participants.

One of my favorite subjects.
When we got to the park, it looked like a nice day.
It’s not yet 7:00 am. A little too early for kids to be playing.
Sunny at the playground.
We were trying to squeeze a walk in between thunderstorms.
Maddie needs to check out the ball.
When we arrived at the park, Jinx was on his high perch.
“Maddie, we need to get home.”
This does not look good.
The clouds are moving in.
Heading home as the clouds eliminate the blue skies.
This was all blue sky when we arrived.
Jinx isn’t hanging around.
“What do you think, Maddie, can we make it?”
Smokey is on the move.
When Maddie and I got home, we saw this guy waiting for us outside the door. (Sorry about the glare).
This little guy is not bothered by the fact that “weeds” are the only thing growing. He likes eating those plants.

Perhaps my favorite song about the weather.

97 comments

  2. We have had 3 lovely days of beautiful weather . . . . They are calling for another heat wave starting tomorrow. Sigh. If this is any indication of what Hell will be like, I had better behave!

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    • Pam, I’m sure there’s an air-conditioned corner room overlooking a cool lake waiting for you. We have a slight break – 80s instead of 90s – and then we get hot and muggy again.

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  3. Thanks for including that last bunny shot, you know I need my fix. As for weather I’m with you. We’ve had high heat and humidity and I’m dying. The older I get the more I hate it.

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    • When people used to ask if we were going to move south when I retired, I joked that, given my wife’s feelings about heat, we were more likely to move to Maine. What happened to Maine?

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      • Climate change. We never had temps over 80 and there was no air conditioning. Now? July and August often see 90 and up. Granted it only lasts a few days at a time, but for us it’s a nightmare. Example- today and tomorrow will be great… 74 and dry. Fri Sat Sun Mon will see oppressive humidity and highs of 90. I hate it.

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  4. We had that heat last week, it finally broke yesterday with a day of rain and thunderstorms. I was feeling like you, wanting a tad bit cooler weather but was reminded that I’m not ready for winter yet. The reprieve to more pleasant summer temps is on the way across the states to yours soon! You’re welcome :-). As if I have anything to do with the weather. LOL! PS – I forgot to say YAY on your SoCS post – I’m so glad to see that you got to hang out with Faith, I hope you had a great visit!

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  5. Couldn’t help but notice your reference to Jinx!
    Sorry to hear you’re having the sort of weather I’m usually complaining about. I step out of my front and the heat blasts me in the face!

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    • One of my least favorite memories of FL was when I stepped out of my hotel room and got blasted with that heat. Then, I saw one of your cute little lizards, but when I raised my camera, I found that the lens was totally covered in condensation.

      These past few weeks have been gross up here. Not that bad, but not good.

      I hope you’re having a good week, GP.

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  6. I do the 6-month ritual of complaining about the current weather and ignoring what will be coming. Having said that, I would still choose summer over winter! Wouldn’t it be nice if Mother Nature combined the best weather from all four seasons and gave it to us all year ’round!

    Love the sprinkler shots and of course Maddie checking out the ball. Maybe Galloping Grandma dropped it!

    And you got a two-fer….photo of the adorable bunny eliminating those nasty weeds!
    🐾Ginger 🐾

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    • Maddie was funny (exasperating) with that ball. The clouds had moved in, there was thunder and all I wanted to do was get home. Then she’s all, “oh, this is new, I haven’t sniffed this.”

      I wish we could just stop the change when we get to October. I could live with October weather all year long. I lean toward summer, only because I can’t get into my shop in the winter. If all goes well, I might be able to work that out, at least on some of the milder days this winter. Then it might be a toss up.

      The bunnies are welcome to eat all the weeds they want. I think they like our yard because we don’t kill the “weeds”.

      Enjoy the cool spell we have for a few days, Ginger. I think the heat is coming back.

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  7. When we lived in the Midwest, it was hot and fairly humid, and I didn’t garden except for foundation areas. Move to NH and have wonderful gardening temps. Fast forward eighteen years later, it’s hot and humid for days at a time, and I have gardens everywhere that need to be tended. Add in the age thing, and I do my fair of weather complaining too. :-)

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    • We don’t have a lot of garden areas to tend to, Judy, and I’m grateful for that every year at this time. Sometimes, we think about adding plants here and there. Maybe in the fall, but maybe not.

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  8. I think Shelley said what needed to be said about the weather here. It’s raining today, highs in the 70’s, and I will encourage it to move hastily in your direction. I do hate that kind of heat because it means living in air conditioning, which I dislike – the noise of a room A/C, the dryness, trying to get the right temperature, the effect it has on my allergies. After four weeks of that kind of heat, I’d be wishing for cold weather too. I hope you catch a break, Dan.

    Happy Wednesday, make it a good one…inside! :-)

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    • The A/C has been running and running and running since we first turned it on. I can’t remember the last day we decided to open the windows for some fresh air. We’ll be in the low-mid 80s today and thankful for that. It’s crazy. We used to get one two-week stretch of this in late July/early August. This has been hanging around since mid-June. I’ll take your 70-degree rain, give it a map, pack it a lunch and send it over here.

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  9. The photograph with the squirrel and the glare is really unusual, Dan. The squirrel looks see through, like a ghost. I never complain about heat but I always complain about cold. It is 11 degrees Celsius here and I feel like I’m living in the Arctic. Where is my lovely sun?

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  10. I know exactly what you mean! We have a few good days before the next heat wave slams us. No AC, but we have a pool, and the porch is delightful in the evenings. Hubby got two new power tools, a hedge trimmer and a chain saw, both with a looong handle so we can do major yard work ourselves. Today and tomorrow are outdoor work days before the real heat arrives. Looking forward to using the new tools. Six months from now I’ll be snowplowing, so I’m counting my blessings before it hits 90 degrees.

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  13. We’ve had a bit of a break from it for the past three nights, so we’ve been for walks in the morning. Regardless of the temperature, if the humidity is above 24C in the morning, Alex can’t walk and breathe. The next four days at least are going to be walk-free for us.
    It really is a lovely way to start the day, though, isn’t it? Not so much in the winter. ;)

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    • Walking is a great way to start the day. We’ve been heading out earlier and earlier. The other day, we were home by 7:00am. I know you guys are walking early, too. In the winter, we walk, but I have to bundle up, bundle the dog, and watch for patches of ice. I guess this is better, but I’m not convinced.

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  14. It has been very hot. It would be nice if the weather spent more time in spring and fall, but I’d probably complain about that as well. I do love to walk in the first snows at the end of the year.

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    • I’m with you, Frank. Spring and fall, let’s have more of that. I do like those first snows. I don’t mind the snow until the number of neighbors who never clear their sidewalks makes it impossible to walk. I guess it’s our nature to complain, but this year seems to be going out of its way to be cruel.

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  16. It’s been hot here too, but no humidity thankfully! In the afternoon the western wind blows in and brings some relief. I’ve been walking in the morning and the evening when it’s cooler.

    Last night someone had their sprinklers on which were sprinkling the sidewalk too I walked right through it. It felt so good and kept me cooler for a little bit of the walk. Did you make past that one? You would have been soaked going through that one me thinks. 😀

    Those clouds do look like a storm is coming. A couple of weeks back while hiking in the high country the clouds began rolling in and got dark. It was time to turn around and make a fast track down. I didn’t want to get caught in a thunder storm in the mountains.

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  17. It’s hard not to complain when the weather is constantly going to extremes, or changing a lot. Love your pics and I have never heard that Natalie Merchant song, even though I’m a big fan! My choice would be I’m Only Happy When It Rains, by Garbage.

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  18. What a sweat-fest it’s been!! The past couple of days have been in the mere 80s and have felt ‘cool’ in comparison. I cannot imagine how people without AC have been coping. We are certainly a study in extremes from winter to summer!!

    The picture of your bunny reminded me of my highlight of last week. While I was watering my plants in the front yard, 3 tiny, tiny bunnies popped out. There were small enough that one would have fit in the palm of my hand. I did a quick check to confirm Theo wasn’t anywhere near, and then urged them to go back into a safe place 🙂 It was cuteness overload!

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  19. Unless one lives in a place with year round perfection, Dan, it’s only human to have those complaints. I’m glad to know Jinx is watching over you and Maddie for your walk. The cloud shots are beautiful.
    I loved 10,000 Maniacs, but hadn’t thought of them in ages. Thanks for the video. A great song to start my day. Hugs on the wing.

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    • Jinx was calling all his buddies, then a clap of thunder put him on the move. I looked at Maddie and said “Jinx is leaving, we should, too!”

      10,000 Maniacs Unplugged is one of the best albums. Our daughter gave it to me. I introduced her to Fleetwood Mac and she introduced me to 10,000 Maniacs – pretty good deal.

      Hugs!

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  20. The heat in NJ and the heat in FL do not compare. It is awful down here. And that is my excuse for not walking in the morning. Too darn hot! Jinx was smart to call the ballgame, but those photos of the clouds sure are good ones, Dan. Your little furry ‘neighbors’ are so cute. Maddie, of course, is a beautiful redhead all the time. I hope that ball passed her inspection.

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    • I haven’t been in your part of FL since 1973, when I got the worst sunburn I’ve ever had. I’ll be avoiding that and NJ for the foreseeable future ;-)

      It’s not just the heat, the air is heavy and feels unhealthy to walk in. I think Maddie wanted me to kick the ball home for her.

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  21. It seems to be an ebbing day in a lot of places. As to thinking about the opposite extreme well there is nothing so much like a hot summer day to make that cold adult beverage taste so good.. It is almost noon somewhere… cheers !

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  24. This is why I LOVE fall and spring. Also love Natalie Merchant’s voice. Your comments on the playground photos and apparent lack of yellow tape suggest your playgrounds are open. Ours have been closed with yellow tape for months. :(

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  25. This made me chuckle. We all get to that point where it’s so hot/cold that we say we won’t complain next winter/summer and yet most of us (myself included) do exactly that 6 months later.
    We had a bit of a reprieve from the humidity the past few days but it’s coming back starting tomorrow :-(
    I swear if it wasn’t for the AC I’d be in pretty rough shape right about now. Anything outside I get done early and otherwise I stay indoors through the worst of it during the day.
    10,000 Maniacs! Now there’s a band I haven’t thought of in ages – good call :-)

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    • Working outside early is the key, Norm. We’ve had a few nice days this week, but the heat is forecast to return on Saturday. Without AC – I don’t want to think about that. I’m glad you like 10,000 Maniacs.

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  28. So far, so good here, weather-wise. We don’t usually get the big heat until August and September. Our heat, when we do get it, used to be dry so it wasn’t as bad but, lately, we’ve had more humidity. We are even talking about installing AC (which was unheard of living so close to the ocean when I was growing up). I do love a summer thunder storm, though.

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  30. Hi Dan – I’d rather have summer … but not too hot (granted!). Did it bucket down … we’re waiting for ours … it’s mainly inland. I’m enjoying your choice of weather music … stay cool … Hilary

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  31. I like the age old question (at least to me, it is), what would you prefer, a hot mid July day or cold mid January. I prefer the former because the latter requires too much time to dress for the conditions. The former, just a wide brim hat. I’m out of the house in a flash. Of course, with pants and shirt then a flash.

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  32. Your pics definitely say “summer”. I’m with you on the extreme heat…we hit low 100’s week before last….ugh!! This past week we have been blessed with 80’s….feels like a totally different world!! Hope all is well with you!

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  34. I know, I know. When I lived in Minnesota, every fall I’d tell myself that not hating winter was a question of attitude, of mind over matter, of [fill in the blank, because the bullshit changed over time]. Then winter would come and I’d remember than cold causes physical pain and that was why I hated it.

    Next fall? Same story.

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  35. You know I seldom complain about the cold. It has to be crazy cold for me to complain in winter. I would, some things excepted, take winter over summer any day. However, I love sunflowers, stone fruit, the fair, fireflies… you get it. And this year has provided a relatively mild summer for which I am grateful. Apparently New England is hot as Hades and no one’s diggin it. May your fall be long and splendid and your winter be mild :)

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