Weather You Like It Or Not

There's potential for another snowstorm this weekend.  Weather forecasts have gone from 18 inches to maybe just rain.  Such is life in Kentucky...

We just dug out from several inches and have endured bone-chilling temps most of January.  But the last weekend of the month smiled down on us with expected sunshine.  60 degrees this time of year is to be celebrated!


With hubby and I both off work Friday, we made the most of it and went backroading.  I wondered as we drove around strip pits and narrow gravel lanes with our sunroof open if people in other states enjoy this pastime.

Exploring is something we've always found joy in doing together. Even if it is familiar paths we've known our whole forever, there is bound to be new things to see.




And though I may be biased, there's nothing prettier than Kentucky landscapes, no matter the season.

Tim is used to me yelling out, "Stop!" as I spy something beautiful to capture.  He will slow down, back up, turn around or drive slowly until just the right spot.  He's such a patient man.  At least where I'm concerned.

He's been off work since the last snow due to hurting his back.  Sitting still is not an activity he enjoys but when your body says stop, you must listen.  Or pay the consequences.  He is learning this, slowly.

Anyway, the sunshine was a nice change to get him outdoors, which is his happy place.  And should the snow return, we'll venture out at least once to capture breathtaking views like these.

Weather, much like life, is unpredictable and nothing you do will stop or change it.

To remain joyful, you just have to learn to find the beauty in whatever comes.

Day 14: Joyful View

There's a lot of windshield time in my job.

Actually most of my life, I've had a commute, so driving is something I'm quite used to for work.  The difference is that now my drive time is in short bursts throughout the day and, for the most part, confined to my home county.

From years upon years of driving on a boring parkway or interstate, this is a joyous change!  Kentucky is a beautiful state but I'm kinda partial to this neck of the woods.  Rolling hills, fields and farmlands, river banks and quaint towns just adds to the beauty here.

Most days I consider myself quite lucky to be out and about.

Of course the downfall of being outdoors every day is that you must drive, no matter the weather.  This position has certainly taught me to be more comfortable on snowy roads.  And particularly this summer, it has given me more skill in driving in the rain.  I've learned which paths are prone to flooding and how to avoid certain potholes.

However, unless it is a tsunami or dangerous weather, I find enjoyment in experiencing the various seasons from my car.  Along with taking in amazing scenery, I can spend time in reflection, prayer, and worship.  And I treasure that alone time with God.  This is what I remind myself in especially trying atmospheres.

In every day you have a choice to see the storm or the beauty.

Today I was caught in a downpour.  My reaction had the power to control the mood for the rest of my day.  I could focus on the rain.  Or, I could find the silver lining in the clouds.

The minor discomfort I was exposed to was nothing in comparison to the breathtaking view on the next curve.

Which is a lot like life.  

Every day we face difficulties.  

Storms we didn't see coming.  Fronts that move in without warning.  Disasters that attack and threaten.  How we choose to view them determines so much about the outcome.

Hold on.  A beautiful display beyond your imagination is around the bend.

Spring Fever

The birds have been singing my favorite song this weekend.  You know the one?  Where sunshine dances around and all is happy in the world?

It actually started Thursday or Friday.  I noticed they weren't just chirping but singing.  And in my neck of the woods, that always means spring is near!

I was actually able to open my windows on Saturday morning.  Even the dogs were thrilled, as they lounged on the deck.  Ross kept scooting and flopping to wherever the sun shone brightest, ensuring he was tanning on all sides I guess.

I'm sure the rest of the day was lovely but I spent the majority of it indoors, at a baby shower for my niece.  Thunder awoke us this morning and though it poured for a few hours the rest of the day turned out nice.

The weather has me itching now for spring.  I'm so ready for sunshine, warm but not too hot.  Blue skies, best seen while cruising down country roads.  Bright new flowers, popping through the earth.  Crickets and frogs joining the bird chorus.  Picnics.  Grilling.  Flip Flops.  Oh, my!

Ahhhh, I can hardly wait.

Earlier this morning, after reading our devotions, Tim and I both end up on our weather app.  (like minds, long marriage)  We were eager to see what was in store and joyful to find elevated temps on the forecast.

It was enough to entice me to put away my snowmen.  But somehow that motivation notice didn't get sent to hubby, who never went to the shed to bring down the totes.  Or the news channels, which just put the S-word in my newsfeed.

Sigh.

Oh, well.  If we do get another dusting, I'll live.  Spring will come.  It always does.
And like they say, when life gives you snow...make snowcream!

Whether you have rain, snow, or sun this week - I hope you also have lots and lots of JOY.  

surprise sunshine

Isn't it amazing what a little sunshine can do for your day?  Today has been absolutely beautiful and even though I've been indoors most of it just knowing nice weather existed beyond my wall was enough to keep me smiling.

My joyful moment is actually being brought to you live today, as I'm writing my post from our deck.  Music fills the air, a combination of our outside stereo, several wind chimes and the occasional happy bird to pass by.  The sky is a brilliant mix of blue and golden hues, with floating cotton candy clouds.  As the sun begins to set, it casts an amber glow on the houses and fields surrounding our neighborhood.  Even the gentle wind, though a bit chilly, is not a nuisance as it's providing that melodic tune from my chimes as they gleefully sway.  How could anyone not find joy in an afternoon like this?

Today would be a lovely day on its own but when you consider the snow and icy weather we've suffered through the past couple of months, it makes it even more special.  Added to it is the fact that these temperatures are not characteristic of February.  Kentucky weather is always a little unpredictable but the past few years have been even more so. 

I think the weather changing like it does, sometimes with every day, is a reminder to us to be thankful in every moment.  In life, just as in weather, we have little control of what's given to us each day.  Sometimes we have rain and somedays we are blessed with surprise sunshine.  In those times, we must pause and truly enjoy the moment for what it is.  In fact, I think I'll keep today's post short and sweet so that I can fully appreciate the amazing sunset that God's given me today.  It's like he's written The End in angelic script in the sky, much like the close of a great movie. 

Today was a gift and I for one am grateful for it.

Kentucky Weather

There's a saying in Kentucky that goes something like....if you don't enjoy the weather here, just hang around, it'll change.  For most, I'd say that Kentucky weather is an annoyance.  I would agree that I was not a fan of the Ice Storm of 09' and would mark it down as about the worst weather experience of my life.  It's also not great for my closet that I have to keep a sampling of clothes to fit every season all year long, because you just never know what the temperature is going to be.  I'm not thrilled when summers like the past are so hot you could fry and egg, every hour of every day...sometimes even indoors.  And, if you suffer from allergies of any kind, Kentucky weather is very unforgiving.  Just ask my sinuses.

However, what I love about the weather here is that we do get to experience each and every season.  Sure, sometimes we experience each of the four seasons within a season but at least we have variety.  I couldn't imagine celebrating Christmas in a tropical holiday, nor could I imagine the 4th of July in the snow.  While it's nice to vacation at locations such as those, I wouldn't want to live there.  I enjoy watching the seasons change here, even if they don't always come according to our schedule.

My body has had a hard time adjusting to the recent time change.  Even before we moved our clocks back and hour, my body was telling me it was bedtime way before 7 p.m.  When it's cold and dark outside, I can certainly relate to the hibernating animals who take advantage of this time of year.   In fact, it's just what we did last night.  It wasn't even 8:00, and yet Tim and I agreed without even talking that it was time to go to bed.  Noah thought we'd lost our minds but we were able to coax him with the confusion of the time change, the darkness outside, and the fact that we always try to go to bed early on Sunday night.  I just feel it's a better start to the week when you've had a solid eight hours of sleep.

 Sometimes I wonder if God didn't plan for us to slow down a bit, as we transition from fall to winter.  It's easy to get overwhelmed with the calendar and the busyness of the season.  Between the two major holidays, most people's schedules are filled with a combination of the normal chaos between work, home and school, added with a juggling of parties, shopping, cooking, and all the demands that seem to pull you in every direction.  It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle that we truly lose the 'reason for the season'.

I appreciate that the weather this time of year usually sets the mood for staying in, snuggling up, and being home with the ones you love.  It's a reminder to me to never forget what's important in life and keeping a busy social calendar and mile long to-do list are not among them.  I'm looking forward to chilly afternoons cooped up in the house, sipping hot chocolate, and playing board games. 

My mind was already settled and ready for cold weather.  This past weekend, I'd finished up the job of pulling out the winter coats, hats and gloves.  I'd stored away most of the tank tops and swim trunks.  Tim readied the boat for the season and we covered it until spring.  And then we got today.  As I turned on the news for the week's weather, I was surprised to find out it would be unusually warm.  78 degrees doesn't seem quite right for November and I found myself wondering what to wear. 

While it put my fall-like mood on hold, I was thankful for the sunshine.  We get the blessing of a break, a gift of a few days of warmth.  I'm storing up the sun's rays for those long frosty days of winter that are just around the bend.  I'll hold onto to the joyful weather this week and remember it in the coming days.  I know our family will need all the comfort and joy we can store in just a few short weeks.  As November comes to a close, it will be a sad reminder of a life lost to us, during a time of celebration for most.

In fact, the weather this week reminds me again how little control we have and that all things happen in God's timing.  The timing of this lesson couldn't be more perfect, as I prepare myself and our family for the second anniversary of Austin's angel date.  Life, much like Kentucky weather, is unpredictable.  We must hold on to each day and soak up everything it has to offer...whether is a gloomy day filled with rain or an unexpected burst of sunshine.  Each day is precious and full of purpose.

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." - Ecclesiastes 3:1