I don’t know what it’s like in your little corner of the world but, when all else fails in Northern Ireland, we talk about the weather. We talk about the weather A LOT. I say talk but it’s more complain. It’s either (mostly) too wet but then we moan when it’s too dry as it’s not good for the garden. It’s too hot or too cold, we are a nation of whingers obsessed over a phenomenon we have no control over and which, invariably, disappoints us.
If it wasn’t for the weather a lot of folk on this fair aisle would barely open their mouths. When I make my nightly phone call to my mother, it takes up a good third of the conversation. It is our go to play when all other avenues and topics have dried up. It can fill the most awkward of silences and rises like a verdant oasis in a desert of silence. ‘So….terrible weather these days, isn’t it?’
It’s the base level, the common denominator, the gungy goo at the bottom of the chat barrel which we scrape at so gratefully when all else fails. The media are just as obsessed, as we are bombarded with updates and predictions. There are weather shows, weather channels, dancing weather men, singing weather woman. The weather is often the only reason we watch the news. Never mind Brexit or war with Iran. Is it going to rain tomorrow?
As a runner, I have an acute interest in the weather. It determines what I wear, my route and all sorts of other variants. Take yesterday for example. The ever so smug forecasters predicted thunder, lightning and heavy rain from lunchtime onwards. I had a meeting at noon and then planned a 5K. It was a race against time (literally) to fit it all in before the heavens opened.
I set out, with one eye nervously scanning the skies for ominous clouds. 27 minutes and 41 seconds later I was home and hosed. Well, not hosed, as I was dry as a bone. We waited and waited throughout the afternoon but the anticipated deluge never turned up. Surprise. The meteorologists had got it wrong. Again. We were treated to that rarest of sights. Blue skies over Belfast.
Want to know what the weather is doing? I suggest you just look out of the window. For we have no control over the heavens above, despite all the fancy gadgets and ever so expensive computer programs. We can never tell what’s around the corner so best be prepared for all eventualities. Umbrella, sun tan lotion, scarf & gloves. Best bring it all. This is Northern Ireland after all.
A bit like life. We can be sauntering along without a care in the world when, out of nowhere…..BANG….the storm strikes. We are left battered and bruised, having been completely unprepared and left utterly exposed to the earthly elements. Try as we might, we cannot predict what lies around the corner. That’s just the way it is. Suck it up, move on, get over yourself. Etc. Etc. Etc. Ad nauseum.
Like the weather, we have no control over what we seek to control most. We are leaves in the wind, to be lifted and thrown about like….well….leaves in the wind. I don’t know what lies ahead in the coming weeks. Anxiety and worry reign supreme. All I can do is my best and hope everything falls into place. Look out of the window and survey my mental landscape. Can I chance it? Will it rain on my parade today?
Black Thoughts 
I regularly find a sentence or phrase that you have uniquely crafted into a memorable thought. Today, I found ‘the gungy goo at the bottom of the chat barrel which we scrape at so gratefully when all else fails’ to be the chocolate morsel in the pleasant cookie of your post. Keep it up Mr. Black. Always an enjoyable read.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you very much Denny 🙂
LikeLike
It’s the same here in Buffalo. Actually we don’t so much talk about the weather as complain about it. & gush about that rare perfect day. “I’ll take it!” As if anyone had any choice in the matter. LOL
LikeLike
Sounds sooooo like Northern Ireland 😂
LikeLike
In Canada we are weather whiners too! No matter how beautiful it is out, we always complain about how bad the winter was or is going to be. We miss the blessings of right now!
I almost missed that in my run today. I was thinking through a lunch I’m hosting in a month. I was thinking about my daughter’s cell phone and what changes need to be made. I was thinking about my next blog post. When I rounded the corner I heard an audible Voice say, ‘look up!’
I had been staring three feet in front of me looking for potholes (left by winter snow). I was missing the stunning sunshine glistening off the dew. I was missing out on the miracle of morning. (And certainly not training hard – is was a mental health run, not a training run – for sure)
This post was sitting in my inbox when I returned home. How great a reminder! Let go of it and run whatever mile (km) God has for me today! Off to wake up the teenagers who would gladly miss the miracle morning every day. Thanks, guys, keep posting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome. Your run sounded great. And, yes, we have teenagers equally reluctant to embrace the morning 😂
LikeLike
How funny! Even in Italy the weather seems to be the main topic. We’re expecting a scorchful hot summer by the way.
LikeLike
I hope you get it. Thank you Eleanor 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a great post. This is exactly my life and the way I see it. I guess our worlds are not so far apart.
LikeLike
Definitely not. Thank you very much 🙂
LikeLike
1- You described Calgary, AB Canadian weather. That is exactly what happens here.
2- You ‘are’ an amazing….writer. I so enjoyed reading this while having my first coffee this morning.
LikeLike
Thank you Kat. I really hope you enjoyed your coffee 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
For my best friend and also neighbours who are my age and older we talk about our aches and pains. We laugh and say that is what we all have in common. Weather is second place…lol
LikeLike
Plenty of conversation round your table then 😂
LikeLike
The weather and the last or next doctors visit!! Great conversation pieces world round. (Retirees talk a lot about doctor visits. ) 😆
Mother Nature can turn in a moments notice making the smartest weather predictor look silly 😜.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true. Yes, our aches & pains. Another great conversation piece 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I live in Florida, so half the conversations I have are about how too hot it is. Plus I have a mother whose personal temperature swings back and forth, so it’s always too hot or too cold. And changing the thermostat to compensate. It’s crazy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha Ha. We holidayed in Florida once and found the Hear brutal. Thank goodness for air conditioning 🙂
LikeLike
In the South, the problem is the humidity. 😂 If at some point the humidity ever falls, then you suddenly are freezing! However, until then, you debate if you can just drive your car into Walmart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Expect the unexpected. What needs to remain constant and what we can control is peace. Don’t allow the storms to break your focus on the Prince of Peace. Remember like Jesus did in the boat, quiet the storms with His words. Although, physically we can’t stop the rains, but mentally and spiritually we have authority to do it. You can choose to walk through the rains, while swaddle up in peace.
LikeLike
Thank you for your kind words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome. I’m sitting patiently waiting for your new book. I can’t wait to read it.
LikeLike
Yes, the weather is important to us too, though it is very predictable in Central Europe-thankfully. However, I’m currently in the UK ‘hoping’ for good weather while it’s sunny and 30 degrees back home. (Too hot really!)
LikeLike
I think you’ve timed your trip well. There’s a heatwave headed our way apparently 😊
LikeLike
We have a saying in Alaska: “If you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes or drive 5 miles. It will be different”. It seems like weather has replaced love as the universal language. We can’t control either one, but we can control how we react. We can bask in the sun, and jump in rain puddles, or make castles out of snow. Might as well find something to enjoy. Also wanted to say I love reading your blog! Your descriptions make me feel like I’m right there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much. Alaska is on my bucket list of places to visit. Maybe one day 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
My best friend traveled one year. It’s beautiful there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do love Northern Ireland…
LikeLike
Yes, it’s a great country. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s the common advice, isn’t it? If you can’t say anything nice, stick to the weather! I’m in California, so the weather is pretty unvaried where I am. Really only get rain in winter, and even then it’s a crap-shoot!
I’d really love to go visit Ireland – if only I can accrue the vacation time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hopefully you will get to visit one day 🙂
LikeLike
I live in the Deep South, and generally all we do is complain about the varying degrees of heat and humidity. Except, when it is below 50°, and then you can hear the entire state moaning all the way to Buffalo. We had a record wet fall and winter last year; I think we tried even God’s patience with our whining. 😂
LikeLike
Really? What state do you live in?
LikeLike
Georgia!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Weather, we all have it in common!!! I love tracking storms on radar myself. I grew up being called the “Weather Girl” but…science is not my thing! After I took Meteorology in college…NOOOOOPE!
LikeLike
Weather girl 😂 love it 👍🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
Complaining about the weather seems like a universal trait except for those who live on some idyllic south sea island. I thought that we had the prize for weather whining here in Connecticut even though there are a lot of places that have it a lot worse. I try to make my mark in the world by not being counted among the whiners.
LikeLike
Us Irish are hard to beat when it comes to weather whining 😂
LikeLike