by Diana McCollum
I love where I live. Northern CA is a place that has actual seasons.
We live at an altitude of 2,200 ft. We have the hottest weather middle of June through the middle/end of September. Leaves change around the middle/end of October and the weather gets considerably cooler, with even the chance of frost.
The two years we've lived here we've had snow by December. It doesn't always last but a few days. This
year it was 2 1/2 ft deep and lasted 2 weeks! And once in a while it snows again in January and/or February. Spring rains start in March through May. Although we have had rain in the winter months too. In fact we had a lot of rain this year throughout the winter and spring months. Oroville Dam is at 100 % for the first time in many years.
If I could change any of the seasons, I guess it would have to be the hottest months. 85 to 104 is too hot at this altitude. So during the hottest part of the day I tend to stay in doors. I go out after dinner to water the vegetable gardens and floweres. I might even pull a weed or two.
Now my husband thrives on those hot days. He spends most of his time outside, weeding, sitting and watching the plants grow, or building something. Today he worked on a fence behind the Oleanders, so he could tie the branches up. The poor branches took a beating this winter with 2 1/2 ft of snow on top of the plants for two weeks or so, and now while not broken, they're bent and don't want to stand up!
I love our gardens and flowers, and of course, without the hot weather the veggies wouldn't grow. Therefore, I guess I do like all the seasons. I don't want to change a thing!!!
I like the cool part of the year, as I can spend more time outside. Plus there is something to be said for wearing extra layers of clothes and turning the fireplace on in the mornings to have coffee and warm up.
I like the summer because the heat grows the plants. The cool summer evenings sitting outside with ice tea and listening to the frogs in the pond is very relaxing.
Do you like the weather where you live?
