Summer

[Hans Deventer]

Today, for the first time this year, I'm actually sitting outside, in the garden, while posting on NazNet. Also had a very nice walk with Hannie in a forest, in shorts and shirt (since this is the Queen's Day, the Dutch have a day off).

All nice, but the thing is I am noticing that more and more, as I'm getting older, I really start to hate darkness and cold, and just love light and warmth. I'm not sure where it comes from but I simply feel better when the weather is good. It's strange, this never used to bother me much but in recent years, I've become very sensitve to light and warmth.

Could this be an age thing? Anyone recognize this? Have an explanation? Myself, I have no clue.

[Jim Franklin]

Congratulations, Hans, such an observation is a sign that your maturation is continuing. Wait until you get to be my age and try to remember how you feel on Queen's Day this year. Blessings on all the Dutch folk.

[Susan Unger]

Do you have your orange on, Hans?

[Jon Bemis]

Today, for the first time this year, I'm actually sitting outside, in the garden, while posting on NazNet. Also had a very nice walk with Hannie in a forest, in shorts and shirt (since this is the Queen's Day, the Dutch have a day off).

All nice, but the thing is I am noticing that more and more, as I'm getting older, I really start to hate darkness and cold, and just love light and warmth. I'm not sure where it comes from but I simply feel better when the weather is good. It's strange, this never used to bother me much but in recent years, I've become very sensitve to light and warmth.

Could this be an age thing? Anyone recognize this? Have an explanation? Myself, I have no clue.

I recognize this. Anything less than 70 degrees F is too cold for me. We've had really warm weather here now for the past 6 weeks or so and I love it. My Concord grape vines already have grapes on them and its only April so we may be in for a really hot summer.

[Diane Likens]

Today, for the first time this year, I'm actually sitting outside, in the garden, while posting on NazNet. Also had a very nice walk with Hannie in a forest, in shorts and shirt (since this is the Queen's Day, the Dutch have a day off).

All nice, but the thing is I am noticing that more and more, as I'm getting older, I really start to hate darkness and cold, and just love light and warmth. I'm not sure where it comes from but I simply feel better when the weather is good. It's strange, this never used to bother me much but in recent years, I've become very sensitve to light and warmth.

Could this be an age thing? Anyone recognize this? Have an explanation? Myself, I have no clue.

It may well be "an age thing". I think as we get older we realize how quickly the past decades have gone (they just blew right on by) and we know that the number of decades we have left are fewer than what we've already spent. Cold, dreary, dark days get in the way of our enjoying the time we have left. They can get to be quite a bother.

[Hans Deventer]

Do you have your orange on, Hans?

To be honest, no. On such a day, everyone goes to celebrations, so we figured it was the perfect day to go to the forest. And indeed, we've seen few people there. Hannie did go to the freemarket earlier, but only for like 15 minutes. Crowds don't do her good.

[Karen Troxler]

I'm right there with you Hans! I feel like a new person when it is warm and sunny and I can be outside. The older I get, the more I enjoy nature, so I'm not sure if it's the warmth or nature that make me feel better, but they definitely go hand in hand. When I'm outside, my mind is immediately drawn to God, I can pray better, think more clearly, etc. I have a yard swing, which I refer to as my "outdoor office." If there is anything that I can work on in the outdoors, I do. Laptops, kindles, cell phones and other devices make that a lot easier. Today, it is cloudy and rainy here. We need the rain, but I am hoping I can put up my "outdoor office" in the next few weeks.

[Ryan Scott]

I've had real problems with circulation in my hands and feet lately. I'm not that old yet, but the doctor said that when young people spend too much time in the cold without proper protection (like all those times I walked around in New England winters without gloves on) that it can damage circulation over time and make you more sensitive to cold later in life.

Perhaps it is just the body no longer being as resilient as it once was?

[Hans Deventer]

Perhaps it is just the body no longer being as resilient as it once was?

Could be, though it is also related to the light.

[Ryan Scott]

Could be, though it is also related to the light.

I've always had strong physical reactions to sunlight so I can't help you there.

[Bill Morrison]

There is a recognized medical condition called SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) which is often treated by exposure to light. It is known that production of the brain chemical melatonin is light-regulated. The philosopher Descartes (the "Cogito ergo sum": "I think, therefore I am" guy) thought the pineal body of the brain (where melatonin is made) was the location of the soul. Many issues for science and medicine to resolve on this, let alone the religion guys helping us to understand what and where the soul is located! Without question though, as Hans and others have posted, we seem to know that light and weather in general can have a huge effect on our moods.

BILL

[Susan Unger]

I've had real problems with circulation in my hands and feet lately. I'm not that old yet, but the doctor said that when young people spend too much time in the cold without proper protection (like all those times I walked around in New England winters without gloves on) that it can damage circulation over time and make you more sensitive to cold later in life.

Perhaps it is just the body no longer being as resilient as it once was?

As one who's done that countless times, I did not know that. oops!