Friday, May 31, 2013

Missing spring and other random thoughts…




1)  I am feeling nostalgic for spring today, thus the explanation for the pics I posted.  On Wednesday this week it seemed perfectly spring-like with the temps in the mid-60s, but on Thursday, it abruptly turned into summer with 90 degree temps and humidity besides.  Having lived in New England for more than 30 years now, I should be used to this precipitous leap into summer, but it always seems to sideswipe me and I don’t like it.  I suppose you can tell that I’m not a summer person.

2)  I think that if you keep the lights off when it is really warm out, it seems cooler.  I do a lot of sitting around in the “dark” when the temps hit 90.

3)  I am in love with a gorilla and I am going to post a link here so you all can fall in love with her, too.  Her name is Gladys and she is a baby Western Lowland Gorilla who was abandoned by her actual mother and is being raised at the Cincinnati Zoo by humans who act as surrogates and wear gorilla vests.  Eventually, she will be put with a gorilla surrogate.  She is just about the most freakin’ adorable being on this earth.  She is now older than she was in this video but still just as precious.



4)  Speaking of zoos, my daughter Carrie and I got a chance when she was about 10 years old to do a behind the scenes zoo tour at the Worcester (Massachusetts) Science Center (now called the Ecotarium).  At that time, they had two polar bears and we got to go into their den.  What magnificent beings!!  We were separated from them by a metal grate so got to be pretty close.  While we were in the enclosure one of them growled and I just about jumped out of my skin.  What a voice!  That day is one of the fondest memories of my life.  It gave me a love and respect for polar bears that has never gone away.  Seeing creatures (human and otherwise) up close often has that effect on me.  I suppose I am fairly typical in that respect.
 
5)  Greg has been on a week-long motorcycle trip with a couple of friends.  They circumnavigated Lake Superior, I think.  I will have to clear up the details with him once he returns tomorrow.  I don’t want to go on a motorcycle, but I do want to circumnavigate Lake Superior.  So I am a bit envious.

LINKING WITH NANCY'S A RURAL JOURNAL

15 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

love that word: circumnavigate. :)

gladys is very cute! and i think your close polar bear proximity is surely rare!

i'm missing spring, too, even though this year we got more of one than is normal for texas. 90s this week and H.U.M.I.D!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

have you been reading the dictionary again? that is a huge word .... i'm going to look it up now ... ( :

yep, all the shades are closed here - it is so dark ... the hubby runs into things. ouch. ha. ha!! i hope it helps at least some. stay cool.

Mary said...

Sweet Gladys! :). I watched a Nature.. (one of my favorite PBS shows,) documentary about her last year. Beautiful!

And yep, as far as New England weather goes.. it was Maine for the first 32 years of my life... Just wait five minutes... Lol

Debbie said...

95 at the jersey shore, yesterday and today....i am held up in the house with the a.c. on, thinking about all those cold temperatures we complained about ;))

now i have to pay big $$ to be cool!!

i would be torn over riding on the motorcycle, could be fun and exciting....and you wouldn't be home alone missing greg!!

Nancy said...

It's supposed to be in the 60s and overcast here tomorrow -- but I think I'll take that over 90 degrees and humid. Not good for the hair.

Love the polar bear experience. Life-changing I can imagine. xo

LisaS said...

What a sweet baby gorilla and how interesting to be a gorilla surrogate.

Have a great day!

Rohrerbot said...

Polar bear love! I want spring back now! It's 100 here and so I hibernate in my dark room.

Unknown said...

Last Friday we need our coats in New England and today it was in the 90's. Never a dull moment here.
Love the blue and yellow flowers.I've never seen any that color before!

Chatty Crone said...

I think it is cooler in the dark too - I believe it is! sandie

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

I am with you on the heat and humidity. We're getting it here in Virginia, too. I am NOT a summer heat person.

Gladys is too adorable! So sweet. I think you are exactly right about the positive effects of seeing an animal "in person."

MEcoy said...

too bad i'm having a bit problem with my connection, so can't watch that video, but then the pictures were great as always

Pamela Gordon said...

Beautiful photos Barbara! We have been hit with that same heat and humidity here too. I love it!! I am a summer heat and sun person though the humidity sometimes gets to me. Stay cool. :)

Rose said...

Oh, my, Gladys is adorable!

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Susan said...

We're in the 90's and 100's and so dry! Yuck. I'm with you about the lights. I keep them turned off too!
Love your pictures and Gladys. So cute!