I entered my studio this morning to a very welcome sight. The sun is shining through my new windows! What a glorious beginning to the day.
If you don't live in Michigan, it is impossible to describe the feeling of waking up on March 1st and seeing the sun shine through your bedroom window. A loyal Michigander is always quick to defend our climate to outsiders by saying, "We LOVE the change of the seasons! We wouldn't have it any other way!" But let's be honest. Right around now, the end of February, the beginning of March that change of season cannot come fast enough! It isn't necessarily the cold, and though this year enough is enough, it isn't necessarily the snow. For me, born and raised in this great but deeply troubled State, it is the lack of SUN! We face five sometimes six months each year of gray, cloudy days. Oh there is the occasional brilliantly blinding sunny day that turns the now tiresome snow into sparkling diamonds but they are few and far between.
The worst part of working full time for me was driving to work in the dark and returning home in the dark. Despite the best efforts of daylight savings time, the sun sets early in the north and we spend our days in darkness. If you are lucky enough to have windows in your place of work, you look out at gray cloudy skies then drive home in the dark. There is a marked difference in the way people behave in Michigan when the sun is shining. Endorphins are flying, people are smiling, manners return, and police officers enjoy days of ticketing ebullient drivers excited to have dry pavement and bright skies for a few hours.
I am looking forward to a very productive day with the sun as my inspiration.....................
