quote for monday

i've been thinking for quite some time now and finally concluded that we have three kinds of weather here in Ireland. 

1) oh gorgeous, lovely weather! - glorious sunshine, warm and exciting and promising. there could be a soft cool breeze, or none even which is the best. skies would be clear blue, scattered puffy clouds here and there. it meant wearing flipflops, sandals and pretty flats. it meant wearing skirts and tank tops, and definitely a lounging day in the garden with a cool drink in hand or for visiting parks and having picnics or for hitting the beach and baking in the sun (except myself, as i'm brown enough, thank you). a light cardigan would be nice in the early afternoon though. i can expect this weather anytime between june to september. people are happiest and in their best humour at these times...just don't ask me how often we get this weather.

2) Hmmm, not bad... weather - the so, so weather. it's perfect for going shopping, running errands, or for just getting anything done outside the house. could be cloudy but without strong wind. could be sunny, but a little windy. could be spitting rain, but without the gale. could be chilly but without the wind to make it worse. could be windy but at least it's dry. i survive with a light jacket, an umbrella and a scarf to warm my neck. this is the in-between weather too, as it could happen at any time during the year except on winter. people are still happy at this time, they smile a lot and talk a lot about the not-bad-weather, and how it could be worse. kj and i like to cycle around this time too, depending on the weather combo of the day - if there's no strong wind on the menu, then i'm game. if it's windy, i'll come up with 999 excuses why i couldn't go. ask kj, he can recite them by heart.

3) oh dreadful! weather - i shiver by its name alone. it's a combination of the elements above and more, minus the sunshine part. for the visual people out there, it's any or all of these: rain, gale, hail/sleet, snow, frost, freezing temperature, dark clouds. mix and match, and you have the recipe for this weather. starts in november and ends around the early part of march. time to bring out the antique hot water bottle as well as our electric footwarmer which looks like a giant Uggs boot for when we're watching tv, and not to forget our dearly loved electric blankets. if anything, we like to be VERY comfortable in the house. the gas bill shoots up too as we crank up the central heating and the electric bill as well  for the regular use of the dryer, and all our heating apparatus. days are very short and woollen socks and blankets and fleece pjs dominate the couch. sweaters and thick coats and boots are being retrieved from the closet, add to that hats and scarves and gloves to complete the bundle. people still smile and are happiest at this time too, because hot cups of coffee or tea flow continually and family sits down to talk and shiver together, and there are celebrations for christmas of course and new year and further on, the coming of spring. 

and that's how i know ireland to be. and that's why i love it here and call it home as well.