In Your Neighborhood: South Sound Bad Weather

Showing posts with label South Sound Bad Weather. Show all posts

Showing posts with label South Sound Bad Weather. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Happy Lite and Other Weather Survival Strategies

I used to get so irritated when movies or television shows that are set in Washington State depict their scenes with abnormally heavy rain and constant fog or ominous cloud cover. Then there are the folks who DON'T live here that ask about the rain. All the time. Sigh.

I always used to think this: Hey, it's not like THAT all the time!

Yet, lately it IS here, in Grit City.

The rain has come down hard and constant like being in a cold shower. The grayness is extra thick and impermeable. Everything is damp, muddy, moldy, and rusty. Especially the people who live here! I remarked yesterday on my Facebook status that it was 8:00 AM PST and all the blinds were drawn open so the light could pour in. My nightlights in the house STAYED ON. A good chunk of the day for that matter.

I am full blown weather weary. It's June for goodness sake. Everyone is complaining here, not just me. We are tired, lackluster, and mild cranky. So, I took steps to mitigate the effects of the weather.

I bought these (and wore this color in my outfit!):

I got this for strength:

Now when this didn't work, I added this in:

Then it was the final straw (and after a couple glasses of wine), I broke out the big guns and I bought the Happy Lite. It's a lighting system that is supposed to help people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and simulate sunshine, lightness, and brightness in your home.

I suspect it's merely an overpriced lamp.

What are your tricks for getting through stretches of wretched weather?

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Our regulars

Stephanie Frieze

Stephanie Frieze
…has always liked to write. Her experience includes three years at the University Washington School of Communications studying journalism. She had a stint at the Chinook Observer in Long Beach. Raised in Bellevue, she’s lived in Gig Harbor for nearly 18 years. She and her husband have a home in Ilwaco, where they spend as much time as possible. This mother of four loves books, spending time with family and the color purple. Contact her at dbandstefery@comcast.net.

Lorraine Hart
…was born a nomadic mutt. She spent her life observing, writing and making music. She’s an unabashed carrier of the titles “hippie,” “feminist” and “liberal.” She’s resided in the South Sound since 1996 and is currently living above Joe’s Bay in Home. She juggles her time between being a caregiver, a writer, an artist, a musician, a minister, a wife, a mother, an advocate, a friend and a pilgrim – not necessarily in that order. Contact her at matlox@cablespeed.com.

Jaynie Jones
…is a Tacoma resident with diverse career tracks in broadcasting, journalism, teaching, health care, desktop publishing, floral design, special event planning and photography. She’s best known as long-time KOMO radio personality Jaynie Dillon and was once a familiar voice on Tacoma stations KTAC, KBRD-FM, KTNT and KNBQ-FM. Formerly a resident of Tacoma’s East Side, she’s volunteered in the Eastside Substation and with Safe Streets. Contact her at jaynie.jones@gmail.com .

Tracy Lebenzon
...is a blog contributor from Greenwater. Greenwater is the last stop before Crystal Mountain, Mount Rainier and the surrounding wilderness areas. When not exploring the next mountain peak or forest trail, Tracy also contributes to the Greenwater Community Council and the Explore-Greenwater.com web site. He writes about topics ranging from favorite foot, bike, and snow trails to community events, local merchants and politics. Contact him at dmountains@explore-greenwater.com.

Joseph McGowan
…is a chaplain who supports patients, families, friends, nurses and doctors at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Being 67, he’s learned this about living: Meet people on their own ground and you will discover that this Earth is our special place to meet and support each other. His motto: Live now. Share yourself now. Every living thing you experience is a pure gift. Love all life unconditionally. Contact him at mcg9940@yahoo.com.

Mizu Sugimura
…is a third-generation Japanese American living in Federal Way. She’s married and a parent of one adult child. A lifelong resident of the Puget Sound area, she graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Washington School of Communications. and served on Federal Way’s Diversity and Art Commissions. Her interests are politics, art, the history of minorities in Washington and family history. She’s written a self-published family history about her paternal grandfather. Contact her at mizusugi@yahoo.com.

Kim Thompson
…is a Grit City native who was born and raised in Tacoma’s Old Town neighborhood by the gulch. She boasts that she’s a former Lowell Leopard, Mason Mustang and Wilson Ram, a short-time PLU Lute and a longtime UW Husky. This former corporate businesswoman is a wife, a mom, a school volunteer, a substitute teaching assistant, a writer and a born-again distance runner. She has convinced friends from Bellevue that Tacoma is worth the drive. Contact her at kimricksy@comcast.net. ugi@yahoo.com.