Huckleberries Online

MamaJD: Cabin Fever Blues

Posted by DFO

March 24, 2009 9:10 a.m. • 27 comments

This is the first winter I can recall being affected by weather. I think many of my friends are feeling the same way. Perhaps it’s due to a perfect storm of our never-ending winter, the economy, lack of exercise and sunlight, and the stress of dealing with others who are dealing with the same issues. Bleh. I have a girlfriend who has been mentioning that she cries. She knows it is weather related. When I sit in a room of people, it’s as though there is a palpable undercurrent of grumpiness. The bus stop moms exhibit shorter patience and their voices are more curt than usual. Some of my friends are walking through their days on auto-pilot as they wait for better weather/MamaJD. More here.

Question: Has this ongoing winter made you cranky?

27 comments on this post so far. Add yours!

Cabbage Boy on March 24 at 9:34 a.m.
“Has this ongoing winter made you cranky?”

Absolutely. This was the year we were supposed to feel the wondrous effects of global warming. I had my vineyard all planned out.
Mariannel on March 24 at 9:51 a.m.
Yes, on all counts. I’ve considered coming up with a calendar called “Winter Blues,” listing things to do to remain safe (to others) and sane as each gray day slogs along ever so slowly.

I think it would sell in North Idaho, for sure, and possibly in a few states like Minnesota.
OrangeTV on March 24 at 9:54 a.m.
Yes yes yes indeed.

I was grew up here and have moved away and come back many times without consideration to the local weather. This is the first winter I’ve considered moving elsewhere because the weather has affected me so harshly. I’m not normally prone to depression but this winter has had me on the edge of it and I’m afraid one more like it will send me over the edge.

My new employment involves working out of my home office for an out of state company, so technically I can relocate wherever I want and still keep my job. It’s so tempting to fantasize about it. I have equal disdain for too much heat, so mid size, milder weather places like Sacramento would be right on. I have relatives there that would let me stay in an instant. “Get Out! Sacramento” could have a nice ring to it.

I think sometimes the only things that keep me here are my family and my love and knowledge of the area’s history and culture. Along with the stinking weather, it’s the people like the ones that clog the CDA Press comments toilet that make me want to relocate to somewhere with less Neanderthals and more diversity and opportunity.

Sigh, I’m not going anywhere. I think when we finally start getting some sunshine I’ll be okay.
JeanieSpokane on March 24 at 9:59 a.m.
I opened the door to leave for work and there it was, snowrain, cold enough to set up in slushy white puffs across the grass that was *just* uncovered from Snow Storm 2008. April is only eight days away - the month of Spring and budding flowers and chirping birds. The cats next door have started wandering our yard, fattened with winter coats; I think I fattened right along with them.
Charlie on March 24 at 10:19 a.m.
Not really, the advent of “spring” weather will be appreciated even more. Each day of sunshine is welcomed for in a couple of months, we will wish for cooler weather. Human natture.
Frum Helen Back on March 24 at 10:46 a.m.
The weather makes me cranky all year no matter where I live.
danofthecommunity on March 24 at 10:52 a.m.
What gets me down is those cruel weather people who manage the content for the 10 day on-line weather forcasts. Talk about dream crushers.

Every time I look at it, you can see some 50+ degree weather that’s about 6 or 7 or 8 days out. But when you get there, low and behold it’s changed from partly sunny and 55 to wet cold 20-30 something. Talk about continually moving the goal posts!

Hrrmmphh! But no, at least I’m not cranky about it.
cantyoureadthesigns on March 24 at 11:21 a.m.
Uhhhh, Patrick, it’s damn hot in Sacramento in the summer, high 80’s in June and Sept, low-mid 90’s in July and August. Plenty of days over 100.

Great winter weather tho, if you’re sick of snow and gray…
Escapee on March 24 at 12:02 p.m.
It’s sunny today down here. I’ve got to get out. On frequent rainy days, sometimes it’s all I can do to get out of bed when i know I’ll be met by more rain and drizzle. I feel ‘hemmed in’ when the sky is ‘low’, when it’s cloud-filled and wet, wet, wet. I just have to keep telling myself that I don’t have to shovel rain.
KeithErickson on March 24 at 12:09 p.m.
These comments are actually cheering me up. Glad to know I’m not the only one down in the dumps over this ridiculous weather. On the bright side, we have daylight until past 7 p.m.!
Walkabout on March 24 at 12:22 p.m.
The weather doesn’t make me cranky, I was just naturally born that way.

I don’t really mind the cold rainy weather, that’s what rain jackets were made for.
MamaJD on March 24 at 1:44 p.m.
I am keeping my eye on the prize — Spring Training tickets for this Sunday at a Diamondbacks/White Sox game in Tucson. That is of course, if Gonzaga isn’t playing. Either way, bring on the heat!
PDXPup on March 24 at 1:44 p.m.
Ugh. I have been more than cranky at the kids I coach…sometimes justifiably (i found more gray hairs on top of my head this morning), sometimes not. Oddly enough, it hasn’t rained as much this winter as it has past winters. I think it’s just the gray and the cold.
Cindy_H on March 24 at 3:08 p.m.
The weather rarely gets me down.
But snow on March 24 is a bit much.
I’m going to the gym and listening to beach music while I work out.
Then I’m going to bake myself in the tanning bed for 20 minutes.
When I get home, I’ll cook a huge pot of pasta and drink a large glass of wine.
It’s my sure-fire cure for rainy/snowy day blues.
PS:
Let’s hope the above works. If not it’s Plan B. Chocolate followed by more chocolate, topped off with chocolate.

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D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.