FOUR LOVELY SEASONS

Is it the climate change or El Niño that is the cause of the unusual rainfall and the extreme cold here in this period of the year? As I am writing the sun comes shining in again but we had a few days where it hardly showed up. It came to my mind that we all like the sunny weather so much more than the grey, rainy days. And it is not only us, human beings, who feel this way. Animals too prefer the sun above the rain. Well, most species at least do.

If I am asked what I do miss most from my home country (The Netherlands) I do not have to think about the answer. It is the four seasons. Winters can be so terribly cold and wet or icy. When you have to go for work or groceries it definitely is no fun at all to go outside where cold winds freeze your ears, nose, and hands. Of course, you make sure to be dressed well but still… And when the rain turns into ice you have a hard time not to fall flat on your face. Snow looks very nice on pictures but what the never show is the snow that got frozen and became hard. Riding through that snow with a bicycle then becomes a survival trip. On the other hand, winter has its good sides as well. Kids go out for sleigh riding or to create their own snowman. And most people love to go out ice skating. Once you get back home a big mug of hot chocolate is a real treat for your body. A variety of hot stews make great dinners. In the evening people close the curtains, lit some candles and try to make the living cozy. 

Then comes spring. As soon as the days get warmer one can see small flowers in the grass while all the animals are starting to get busy raising their newborn offspring. People start cleaning their houses like there is no tomorrow and –How I loved this! - purchasing new plants for the balcony or garden. It is really lovely to see the grebes carrying the little chicks on their back. The world seems so much brighter in spring. It really feels like even humans are newly born again. Away with all gloomy thoughts! Even when the winter has been not that bad at all, everybody welcomes the sunny, warmer days. All the winter clothes go back to the wardrobe and people start wearing merrier and more colorful clothes.

 

Grebes with chicks. Picture courtesy of Peter Beesley
http://peterbeesley.blogspot.com/

Summer can be really hot sometimes but mostly the temperatures are pleasant. Days are much longer now than during the winter season and it is good to walk through the forests under the shades of big, old trees. In the evening people like to gather in their backyards where they eat barbecue and fresh salads. Plants and trees are flowering, thus bringing many beautiful, bright colors. In several locations, there are pop festivals in open air. Boats and motorcycles come out of the winter storage. Terraces are open everywhere attracting lots of people. The country lives. 

Then comes autumn. The leaves on the trees now turn into many colors. One can see different shades of yellow, orange and red until finally, the trees drop them, leaving a bleak bare tree in the end. The trees in the parks also drop their fruits. Chestnuts, beechnuts, and acorns can be found on the ground between all the dead leaves. Children use them to make puppets and toy spiders. I always loved to collect the beechnuts because they taste so good. Collecting them is just fun, going through all the leaves and you have to look carefully because they are so small.

Trees losing their leaves in autumn

Now we came full circle and winter starts again. All seasons are nice in their own way I must admit but I like the sunny and pleasant warm weather the best. Sometimes I wonder how people can even live in very cold countries. Seeing pictures of those places already gives me goose bumps. But no worries. Here in the Tropics I feel very fine and even El Niño can not change that.

Love the ones you’re with and be loved in return