Day 4 - 170 -- Gusty Day

Summer weather visited with a vengeance today. The temperature was 20C (68F) this morning, but with the heavy humidity it felt like 28C (82F). By mid-afternoon, it reached 28C but felt like 36C (95F). A mix of sun and cloud helped the sun to be hidden at times, so the oppressive heat of the sun wasn't fully in play when outside. I walked into the office today, thinking that I'd walk out to a meeting for 3 PM. Luckily a friend offered me a ride to the building so I didn't have to do the 30-40 minute walk uphill in the heat. The downhill walk home took about 20 minutes. Thankfully, there was a major wind blowing that helped keep the sweat from just sitting on the skin. Evaporation helps with cooling of the body. As I walked east, the wind was in my face. As I walked south, the wind was in my face. Even walking west it was in my face. While it was recorded as a southerly wind, it seemed to be an all direction wind. Inside the house this evening, it is still hot and humid -- I've retrieved the electric wind machine from storage to make things a bit more comfortable to sleep.

Wind is often a metaphor for difficult things that impede forward movement. The actual wind today was strong enough for that, yet without it, the air would have been entirely oppressive. So, wind can be a positive thing. I understand wind having lived most of my life on the prairies and the last almost 19 years on the Atlantic coast. I am familiar with destructive winds -- tornadoes, wedge, straight line, hurricanes. I've encountered them all over the years. So, I can see where the negative connotation comes from. Most would agree that a gentle breeze can be positive, but for me, today the major head wind, regardless of direction, was helpful. Perhaps this means that when we expect negative things, we may miss the positives that are present, too. Hmmm.

A folk song by a Canadian singer-songwriter came to mind today. The harmonies are lovely with the two young voices performing in the version shared here. The lyrics do speak to changing fortunes, both positive and negative and mentions the wind I encountered in my sojourns today. Enjoy!

Four Strong Winds -- Ian and Sylvia