Saturday, February 5, 2011

Hello, February!

Whenever I leave Seattle and tell people where I live, they without fail make a comment about Seattle's reputation for being grey and rainy. They ask how bad it really is. They ask how I handle it. They ask why I didn't just stay in Chile, or chose someplace in California as my west coast relocation destination.

Most of these people don't understand that I grew up in Binghamton, NY, which I am convinced is the greyest place on earth. According to the Farmer's Almanac, Binghamton is the 6th worst weather city in the US. Seattle doesn't even make the list, although cities relatively close by are mentioned. Point being, pretty much any weather outside of Binghamton is a step up in my book.

But, this is not the point that I wanted to make. What I wanted to say is that February is Seattle's best kept secret. Yes, February!

When I lived on the east coast, February was the low point of the year. It was the time when hearing the words "wintery mix" nearly brought me to tears, to tantrums, to quitting it all and running off to a beach as close to the equator as I could calculate where I would lay wearing a black pants suit until my bones were sufficiently warmed. In February, you know that March is just around the corner, and that with March technically comes the first day of spring. I however, have seen too many March snow storms to believe, in February, that there is an end in sight. I've seen too many grey, crusty snow banks in April to see February as anything but a yearly torture that must be endured. February can be a sad, dreary place of which it seems like there is no foreseeable escape.

Not in Seattle, my friends. Look what I saw in my courtyard on February 1st!!


In Seattle, February marks the start of SPRING!

I know!!!

Can you imagine anything more fabulous?? I certainly can't. My first February in Seattle secured this city a special place in my heart. Just another reason to love the city that took me in and became my home, the wonderful beyond words Seattle, Washington.

Bob and I took a little wander through Discovery Park on Friday.





We had a few sunny days during the week, but weren't so lucky on Friday....



But... swamp flowers!



And highs in the 50s!

I certainly can't complain about the weather.


Besitos,
Allie

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