Storming? Let the Sunshine In!

 

I’m not telling you anything new that you probably already knew. But having recently moved from New York to Central Florida, I never really appreciated the daily thunderstorms that pop up almost every mid-afternoon or early evening, until now.

 It is amazing how quickly the temperature drops from 95* to 83* in mere minutes. It becomes cooler, even though it isn’t. Not really. In New York, we complained about how hot 83* was every day. Trust me, after living here for just over two weeks, 95* doesn’t bother me in the least.

 It is amazing how quickly I became used to the differences in the heat index. I actually have to walk out of my constant 72* air-conditioned home to feel comfortable. It is all relative, I know. The heat, the cool, the change, and even the humidity. Even what used to be oppressive heat with an 88* temperature and 70% humidity on Long Island is just another day of summer in Central Florida.

 I have been asked by my New York and Long Island friends how I like being here. I can honestly say I don’t like it here. Nope. Not Like it. Instead, I LOVE it here. It was a change of life, a better change for living. A long time coming.

Long ago, in 1986, I took my family to Florida in October, while scheduling several job interviews, thinking that the weather would be warm but not oppressive. But as luck would have it, we spent ten of the hottest October days with temperatures in the 90s that late in the year. And of course, we didn’t move.

 And the biggest benefit? I don’t have to be concerned with the wind chill factor or the 7* “real feel” in January and February. I am looking forward to early Springs, late Falls, and one day of Winter. With months of Summer.

So. Let those thunderstorms come every day. For fifteen minutes. And let the sunshine in all the rest of the time.

 I look forward to them.