For those of you who don’t live in St. Louis, let me explain something to you. We have the most insane weather on the planet. Last month, there were huge thunderstorms for about a week, with tornado warnings everyday. The next week, we had a heat wave, like the kind of heat wave where people die and the rest of us sweat just by standing outside. The NEXT week, it was seriously about 50 degrees. And getting to wear hoodies in July? Priceless.
Ever now and then, however, it is absolutely beautiful, and that makes living here worth it. Lately we’ve been having that kind of weather. It’s the kind of weather that puts everyone in a great mood. Everyone is social and happy, and anyone stuck at work gets cabin fever, which always makes work silly and a lot more fun.
Thurdsay was when it started… I wanted to sit and party on my back porch, and so I invited a bunch of people over to take advantage of the weather with me. I love sitting on my porch with friends, especially new ones and people I haven’t talked to in a while. Everyone’s secrets seem to come out back there. I’ve had people come out of the closet on that porch. That didn’t happen on Thursday, but I learned a lot about my friends anyway.
Friday was even better because I went out and bought clay… I’ve been meaning to start sculpting again for a while now, and I think it was the weather that finally motivated me to do it. I sat outside in the shade and played with clay and got messy as hell, and I think that’s the happiest I’ve been in a long time. I also started reading Pastoralia, by George Saunders, which is brilliant and absolutely hilarious. I highly recommend it. That night, Jen and Ron had tons of people over, and I could tell that the weather was having the same effect on everyone else, too. It was another love fest. I love those guys – especially Conor!!! It was so good to see you, Conor!!
Every day since then has been just as beautiful, and every night has been some sort of love fest with one group of friends or another. And I heard it’s going to get cold this week too, so break out your hoodies, St. Lunatics! If the weather is nice wherever you are, and you’ve had a bad week, call in sick to work. Buy some clay, make a present for someone, and then read some Pastoralia. Or at least have some friends over after work to enjoy the weather with you. Trust me. It’ll be good for you. People don’t take advantage of pretty weather as much as they should… even if it’s just by cracking a window or propping open a door.
It’s amazing how much tiny little things can change your day.
Secretly Stephie 