One of the main reasons Amy and I moved to Seattle was for the climate of the Pacific Northwest. I had never known a life without four seasons before relocating, and I am constantly amazed at the difference a more temperate environment makes in overall quality of life. Not everyone can handle the rain and overcast skies throughout the winter, but to me, as long as I never have to feel the liquid on my eyeballs freeze in the winter or walk around the summer drenched in sweat and searching for air conditioning, I’ll never leave.
Yesterday, I was reminded of this after a chance encounter with some former colleagues of mine.
I ran into Linda and Cindy while I was grabbing some lunch. They told me that another former co-worker of mine (hi John!) had finally made a long-anticipated move to Iowa City where he was currently suffering through the aftermath of one of that area’s famous ice storms. I recall those ice storms and the inches of beautiful but deadly ice covering every surface pretty vividly from the time I lived there.
After bidding farewell to the ladies, I headed back to my office. On the way, I spotted Gretchen, another co-worker of mine, standing on the path looking up at one of the buildings. She saw me as I approached and beckoned me over to her where she spoke in a low whisper.
“This is a hummingbird battleground. Keep your eyes open for hummingbirds.”
I turned to where she had been looking. I saw a field of blooming camellias against the south wall of the library. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw something move by very fast. Then another, then another. I soon became aware of several hummingbirds darting in and out of the camellia bushes and then aggressively lunging at each other trying to keep all the sweet pollen to themselves.
December ice storms in the Midwest; flowers and hummingbirds in Seattle. I love it here.
Ask me again, however, after the earthquake hits.
