Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Wet

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Even today, a glorious, blue-sky morning bursting with sunshine and windswept clouds tinged pink and gold, the first morning in over a month possessing the faintest hint of fall, even today the air is thick and heavy and wet.

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It is yet another in a long string of days laden with the bane of my existence, one hundred percent humidity. As I walk to school each morning, I feel the oppressive weight of it as I breathe in and out. It clings to my skin and clothes and every other available surface. I won’t even mention what a snarling tangle it makes of my hair.

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There should be frost on the berries, but instead they’re just wet, wet, wet. Everything is wet and dripping and has been for weeks. September usually brings our first substantial snowfall. Sometimes it melts away, but more often it remains, white powder piled up on fresh sheaths of ice skinning the surfaces of ponds and lakes and eventually the river...just the way I like it.

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I know this isn’t much to complain about while Southern regions are still scorching (and plenty humid as well), but…this just isn’t right. It’s not the Arctic autumn that I know and love.

Students have been asking, “Man, when’s it ever gonna get cold?”

I shrug sympathetically and admit that I’m wondering the same thing. I remind them that break-up came late this year, that the river ice didn’t go out until the middle of June and most of the summer was cloudy and cold. August brought lots of rain ensuring muddy boots and juicy berries. The seasons seem to have shifted a bit, abandoning the predictable timing of things that some of us so obviously crave.

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September’s chill usually brings dryness. Humidity, trapped as frost or snow, crunches underfoot and leaves the air so fresh and crisp that it seems to snap. It’s something I look forward to—a lot. This year is just different. For now, first frost is still an elusive prospect as we wade through day after day of thick humid air...

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...and more wet.

8 comments:

Toklat said...

Stunning photos! That is some of the prettiest humidity I have ever seen. You certainly have a knack for capturing the subtle beauty all around you and describing it with words that make me feel as if I am there experiencing it. I really enjoy this open window to your world.

Jackie said...

Beautiful...words and photos.

Allmycke said...

Love your photos! Here it's drizzling - constantly - so I don't even dare bring out the camera... and Loki is bored out of his skull!

R.Powers said...

Great post! The words and the photos blend so well.
Here's hoping things cool off soon!

Dog Hair in my Coffee said...

You're back. I've missed you so. And with a great post and beautiful pictures, and new information about that wonderful Arctic land. I'm so glad for all of that. Please stay!

Kimberlee said...

Toklat...
Thank you so much for the very kind comments. I hope you'll come back and visit often. :)


Jackie...
Thank you very much. With your schedule, I'm happily surprise that you find time to check my blog!


Allmycke...
Great to hear from you! Poor Lokie and poor YOU stuck inside all the time. I can't wait for snow. I'll bet you feel the same.


FC...
Thanks! Me too!


Laurie...
Thank you so much! I'm really glad to be back in touch again. It's been two whole months since I've been able to visit my favorite blogs...like yours. :)

Littie said...

I love it. Makes me wanna be there with you!

Kimberlee said...

Littie...
That sounds like a great idea! :) Get'n enough heat and humidity, are you? LOL!