Primrose & Polyanthus

This is my 5th January in Oregon.
I don't find the weather to be as difficult as I anticipated.
Before the move I had heard tales of the dreary, gloomy, gray skies of Oregon.
Some even shared stories of deep depressing weather for months on end with no glimmer of sunshine.

After hearing the tales and watching the weather reports from a distance,
I had strong reservations about moving to the Pacific Northwest.
I am one who struggles with seasonal feelings of depression, yet in spite of the stories, reports, and concerns,
I am liking this place.

Some people might say it took me too long to adapt and adjust to our new surroundings, but
I have come around, finally.
For me, it just takes time.

I can say today
(even after a week of dreary, rainy, cloudy, overcast skies)

I prefer the weather here in the Willamette Valley to that of the plains in Nebraska.

What I appreciate most about living here is the continual blossom of colors. 
This is a perfect time of year for primroses.
So yesterday while making a stop for groceries I decided to treat myself to some flowers. 
I don't recall seeing a primrose before moving here.
I certainly wouldn't see large amounts of flowers on the sidewalk outside the store enticing me to buy them.  Finding primroses or polyanthus this time of year is a common occurrence here.

The past week has been rainy, and more rain is expected through the early part of next week.
However the temperature remains fairly mild and I have new flowers I can plant.

I think what used to bring me down in the winter months in the plains was the bitter cold.
The kind of cold that keeps you inside, cooped up, and huddled up by a warm fire.
On an occasional snowy night I do miss that.
But when you are going on your 63rd day (or more) of temps below freezing and no one wants to tromp through the 12 inches of snow to bring more firewood in the house, it gets old.
I think I used to deal more with 'cabin fever' than seasonal depression.

We get enough peeks at the sun to make me look forward to spring and summer.

And it is easier to feel cheery when you are trying to select the color of primrose you want to plant this January.

 I think of my loved ones back home who are taking turns shoveling snow, fetching firewood,

and heating more hot cocoa trying to stay warm.

I wish I could join them for a cozy night or two by the fire where we have nothing more to do other than catch up on life, share stories, and plan the camping trips we will take when summer comes.

Yes, I think just a few nights would be perfect ...
before it would be my turn to gather more firewood.



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