A quick report from the blustery top level of the parking garage in Northampton, where heady views of the backside of Main St. allow for pause and introspection...
Up there, one can contemplate the sun's angles, the ventures of a populace and the trudging of time.
Over at 'in the valley' headquarters we've booked a brief getaway for February and are restlessly counting down the weeks days and hours before our trip south: down there, Florida way. They just got over a major orange-wrecking cold snap and it's probably a shade ugly in the sunshine state right now, but still...
Can't wait.
Not that the New England winter has lost any of it's charm. But all the bitter, bitter cold this year has been duly noted by this working stiff's numbed fingers and toes. Just knowing there's some kind of relief on the horizon makes it all just a little more bearable...
I've been locked in a cyclical fantasy the past few years: where right about November as the last stubborn leaves are blown off the oaks, I begin dreaming about calling it quits and moving away from these pointless, darkened, arctic blasts of winter that annually rob us of half our years. Maybe a move down to the mid-atlantic or southern states...
Not so south where the summers get jungle-like with humidity and hurricanes, but just south enough where the sun happily pumps smiling people full of Vitamin D and UV, throughout the shining winter months....
Or way out west- maybe like California, would be nice too. But that'd be way too expensive. Then there's the old country, Portugal, with it's dry Mediterranean climes; but the work situation there might not be so good...
These thoughts of relocation stir and bump and nudge around in the brain for a good part of the cursed winter...until around mid March, when the slightest wisp of light and life begin to drift back into the air... and the promise of another beautiful spring here in the valley shakes me out of any thoughts of flight.
I'll end up staying put for another year, like always...
...and by May, glad to do it.
7 comments:
great pictures, the blue sky & clouds are awesome..
I too dream of the warm southern sun this time of year.. but do enjoy the crispness of winter too.
It's difficult to find a happy medium for the experience of the seasons - winters that aren't too long, summers that aren't too humid. I miss New England winter, although we've gotten a brief taste of the temperatures here in Kentucky lately.
I've always loved Noho's skyline - it's got such character. Great job of capturing it with your camera.
I've found the Cape to be a happy medium... the winters aren't quite as brutal and the summers not quite as sticky as in the Valley.
There's still a ton I miss about living there, though.
The only thing I want "Crispy" are my Onion Rings! The doors are open today (Again) and it's close to 70 Life is good, very good. Taxes are cheap & so are groceries. I don't miss Ma at all. Did you ever hear anyone say "When I Retire, I'm going to move to Massachusetts where it's cheaper to live"? Taxes are lower, and Weather is nicer?
Not to be over looked, your Photography is getting "Spectacular". Time to enter some contests! L.
Fantastic pics. Are these special-effect iPhone photos? Brian and I always talk about moving too. You're lucky you have a connection to Portugal! I read that it has become easier than it used to be for people who don't have EU passports to work in Europe if they can find a job there.
Any time I find myself on the top of that parking deck, I find it to be a peaceful view of the town. There is another tranquil view of part of the valley by the dog park just past the former state hospital grounds. A short drive and a quick walk up the hill will expand a view of the mt range and the valley in between. It may make for some good images, but either way the view and moments shared are worth it.
Thanks you guys, and glad I'm not the only one with winter doubts...
Manny, I like the occasional bracing wind too; if only the winter weather was 2 months long instead of 5... Cecil, Kentucky climate must be pretty close to that happy medium... Mary those were taken with my 'regular' camera and a little brightness/contrast adjustment; the special effects were provided by nature!... Sandy, the Cape is always nice, no debate there... Jeffrey that other viewing spot sounds good, I know the area you're talking about, we'll look for it... and Larry, I know you've definitely found a happy relocation in the Southwest! (get that blog started so you can show us!)
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