The High Winds Blow
Santa Ana winds pummeled Southern California for days, propelling flames into canyons and communities with hellish ferocity. Leaving ashes, homelessness and discord in their wake, the winds swooped into the American Southwest. Partnered with above normal temperatures, the elements forced people in and tempers up. Violent crimes spiked.
Years ago, when I taught elementary school, I’d change my lesson plans when the wind blew. The children needed more kinetic and tactile activities. They had to move more, talk more, laugh more. Their physical selves seemed supercharged, so I adapted those days and channeled that energy.
As a child I adored walking to Berlyn Avenue School on bright, windy days. My imagination soared alongside the elm and mulberry leaves as I considered the possibility of flight and basked in a sense of propulsion that might carry me toward any dreams, my goals, my hopes. I loved the wind. It cleared the darkness and blew away the pall of my everyday life. When the wind blew, I could envision something better, something more.
The wind. A basic element with incredible power. Devastating. Provoking. Invigorating. Liberating.
How does the tempest affect your mood?
Share your thoughts!
November 18th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Constant winds make me feel anxious, uneasy, disturbed. When I lived in Belgium, the winds came in off the North Sea and they moaned and howled just like they do in Gothic novels, they rattled the shutters and the garage door, and the kitchen vents. It had a profound effect on my mood and spirit, especially when accompanied by the ever present gray skies and rain that Belgium is famous for. Some days I wore earplugs at home to block the sound of the wind…it bothered me that much.
Now I’m once again living in Virginia, and except for the severe winds that accompany violent storms, the wind doesn’t bother me. This house has a cozy basement, so when it’s very stormy, I can retreat there and don’t have to hear the rain pounding the roof or the wind thrashing the trees. I lived in Oklahoma for eight years and had several close encounters with tornadoes. Very scary.
March winds are hopeful–blowing in change. Summer winds usually mean the temperature is going to drop, a good thing. Fall winds are crisp and invigorating. Winter winds? Make me want to stay inside!