Love Note to Shoulder Season

appreciation for the rain

We’ve made it to the other side of the winter solstice and have begun our patient march toward spring. Each day has a smidge more daylight and the darkness doesn’t feel quite as eternal. So as we wait for snow to actually blanket the mountains in this El Niño winter, let me share this belated love note to shoulder season.

Shoulder season in the PNW, the time between the hype of summer and winter, is often gray and damp. And yet, these are some of my favorite weeks! The weather outside encourages you to hunker down and get cozy (which is why November is my favorite month for reading) and when you do venture outside, you may find that you often have it to yourself.

The gray days are some of my favorite to hike and trail run because of the quiet, peaceful trails with the only sounds being a squelchy step through mud or the drip, drip, drip of raindrops heavy from tree branches. And all the fog and misty rain make everything beautiful in such a quintessential PNW way.

Next time chilly rain and fog are in the forecast (ahem, tomorrow), I hope you’ll find joy in the encouraged rest or peaceful outdoor spaces you spend time in.

A Love Note to Shoulder Season

Originally posted July 2020

weighted blanket of fog,

ease our anxiety.

tide,

move the waves in…

and out…

to remind us to breathe.

rain,

wash away yesterday.

his mercies are new every day.