❀im feeling hateful

These past few days have been a drain on me.

First: I'm really hating this year's summer. The heat has been a stimulus that I just can't overcome. For the last 15 years I've been living up and down the "valley" where the heat just collects during the summer and I'm no stranger to +100 degree heat. Prior to that I lived in the hot inland region of the state where, again, it gets to be near 100 degrees all summer. I don't like it, but I guess I just got used to it. Actually, now I think of it, I've never really coped well and even experience hot/cold flashes from exercise and heat that cause my skin to crawl. When I say "crawl" I mean it. It's like the most uncomfortable goosebumps.

kitty hugs!!

So, yeah, I hate the heat and even shaved my head one year because the stimulus was too much. But this year has been worse than winter. Doors shut, shades drawn, sitting in the dark, laying on the floor because it's cooler... I mean, I know other people have worse conditions but that doesn't mean I'm not truly and honestly tortured by this situation. This must be the summer version of SAD, which must seem laughable to some. Basically, I'm bummed out as ever.

There are some nice places around here that give me a sense of calmness. I don't know if it's just the change in scenerey - but I truly believe it has more to do with being swallowed up by nature. There are, in fact, studies that show children with ADD fair better when in very green and open spaces, i.e. nature-y environments. The outdoors is therapeutic. So for myself I do love to explore the more tree-filled areas here.

Do i even make sense here? Im talking about the infernal heat, then talking about being surrounded by greenery. It connects in my head *shrugs*.

Anyway, Im sick of living in towns with a Walmart, you know what I mean? I've been growing more and more in love with the wooded areas - the coastal mountains would be my absolute paradise - but I do enjoy warmth among trees and shade. This particular town we visit (below) is one of my current love affairs. There's not much there, i.e. drive to the next large town for supplies, but for me it seems perfect. Snow in winter, high temps in summer which is lessened by the tree and mountain shade, cicadas singing, the river, cute downtown... well I could go on.

A few photos I took on our last visit: