Today's forecast

The weather is something typically discussed as the go-to subject in a desperate attempt to continue conversation or merely break awkward silence. Even the best of us fall subject to this. I catch myself mentioning the weather frequently, sometimes for this purpose, but more often because it's something I notice and either appreciate or abhor. Either way, I marvel at it. The frigid winds and abundance of snow of winter in western Michigan, the fresh scents and playfulness or torrentially depressing rains of spring, the scorching sun and suffocating stickiness of summer alongside the lake, or the crisp chilliness of autumn with an enhanced sound of rustling leaves in the winds due to their decay. On occasion, the world turns into a snow globe, a giant shower or sauna, or a desert. Perfect weather cannot be ascribed to specific conditions, but is subjectively based upon the individual--their preferences, circumstances, plans, and desires. For me, the weather was indeed perfect today.

It is supposedly 66* currently. I think it's warmer. Another thing about weather is it cannot be judged by the temperature. Factors such as humidity and the breeze alter the stated temperature considerably. I prefer to describe the weather by how it feels. Today, it's sunny with low humidity. It's warm enough to wear shorts and a t-shirt, but not hot enough to sweat profusely. A cool, light breeze ruffles the trees but isn't very evident when sitting still. That's the inexplicable wonder of the wind lately: when I move, it moves. When I'm still, it's still.

Thus far, I have loved today. I've spent a considerable portion of it outside, soaking up the much-needed vitamin D that is so lacking during the long winter months. Lately, I've been caught in quite the annoying situation. I have a substantial summer "to do" list that I'm excited to cross items off of, and I've been filled with ambition to accomplish some of this. Conversely, it's summer. I have little motivation to do anything. Usually, this results in me attempting productivity but achieving nothing, thereby crushing my aspirations while gaining little rest. Little else but frustration follows. Today, I decided to abandon productivity and just pursue relaxation and enjoyment.

The experience was delightful. I spent a few hours outside, first reading Psalms and Romans, then beginning to reread Life of Pi. I forgot how amazing that book is…more on that later. I wasn't quite as focused as I would've liked, though, due to the movement of the sun combined with the many trees in my backyard. If I want to stay in the sun, it forces me to migrate every few minutes as the shadows shift. I start first on the deck, then eventually move to the ground near the deck, then to the edge of the yard. It's a huge inconvenience. Once, I was driven inside by a shockingly large bee that took a particular liking to my face. Later, I took Winston for a walk, during which he stubbornly and persistently insisted upon thoroughly sniffing and showering every single tree we passed, as if some other dog has just marked it as his territory and it was Winston's noble duty to investigate and reclaim it.

My day concluded with a game of Scrabble at Starbucks, a Skype video chat with Jessie and friends, a terrible game of basketball with my dad and brother, a little more Life of Pi, some writing, and quite possibly a movie now. Overall, I'd say it was highly satisfying. I like it.