That Damn Wind

I live in northern Colorado, truly God's country.  The climate is beautiful and mostly mild. We are known for skiing here in Colorado but you may not know that our beautiful (yes they do belong to us) Rocky Mountains are enjoyed by locals and tourists alike more in the summer than winter.  Just one of the many divergent facts about our state.  For example, these interesting yet contrary weather facts;  Because the season is upon us we may as well put it out there, if you live in Colorado your Halloween costume MUST allow for a snow suit beneath however we can usually play golf in January!
 
I live in such a beautiful place, with a lovely climate overall, except for the dreaded WIND!  I swear, other than Wyoming I have never been in a windier place than northern Colorado.  Do I hate the wind because when it blow-It Really Blows-in more ways than one! We are the healthiest state in the nation and rarely allow the weather to inhibit our lifestyle. If it was 20 degrees below zero, we hardy Coloradoans would dig into our closets of custom, high tech outdoor gear-which we spend millions of dollars on annually-suit up and sally forth to conquer nature.  If it was103 degrees we would head to the cool of the mountains, raft a local river or take a swim in a nearby lake. Only over the last 20 years has air conditioning become common in Colorado.

Just to be clear, I am a pretty hearty gal myself.  I grew up in the midwest where, in the summer months the humidity and temperature are often the same number.  When I was in school we had lots of snow days and used them all and then some. So what is my problem with the WIND?  Really, it is only the wind after all.  I don't have to shovel it, it does not cause traction problems or heat stroke, frozen pipes or frost bite.  It seems kind of whimpy to complain about the wind but really, it makes me crazy.

The last couple days the wind has been relentless.  I thought a cottonwood in my yard might actually break yesterday. While I was out on appointments, I witnessed the largest flag in our community tear off it's flag pole.  Now we are not talking a simple over sized highly patriotic flag.  Nooooo.  This is a superhuman huge flag that more than spans the 4 lane highway above which it waves and upon which it fell just as I was driving by. Did I say relentless?

Turns out, it is not my fault that I have been cranky! Great! I thought it was about my hair being a mess and dirt in my eyes-but a little research shows that there is an actual scientific reason for my bad attitude. It seems the increase in positive ions in the atmosphere, a result of any weather change (keep in mind I am not Mr. Wizard) ACTUALLY does make people feel, well, not themselves.  Anxiety, irritability, even migraines and depression are common.

I can't tell you how happy I am to hear about this.  Now I am not an extreme sufferer, thankfully, but in retrospect, I can see That Damn Wind has affected me for years and indeed has driven people throughout history to acts of violence and desperation.

Good to know. As for me, I am working in the office all day and may not even let the dog out if it helps me avoid the 50 plus mile per hour gusts.  When it finally does subside, it is almost as if a calm has falls upon my little community-which I guess in a way it does. At that point I will retrieve my lawn furniture from my neighbor's yard.