Despite the sunshine tax, the annual wild fires, persistent drought conditions, high cost of living and the higher cost of housing, there is a benefit to living in Southern California that makes living in the Golden State worthwhile.
It isn’t proximity to the border.
Or the carne asada.
Or the overabundance of craft breweries.
Or the magnificent salmon colored sky alight over the Pacific Ocean during one of said rampaging wildfires threatening our xeriscaped 200-sq.ft. $2,500 a month home as we sit in gridlock along Interstate 5 during rush hour, weary from another day’s toil at a job that may or may not provide adequate health coverage.
It’s the weather. Duh!
While we are officially frolicking along through autumn, the summer weather here extends well into October. Even November.
Summer Light, as I refer to this time of year, regularly has temperatures in the low to mid 80 degrees with a smattering of lows down to a bone-chilling 72. (What do the show-offs say? It’s not bragging if it’s fact?)
Perhaps at no time in the last 100-plus years has the temperate climate played such a significant — maybe even life-saving — role in our lives as it is this year. Our pandemic year.
As real weather descends on the rest of the country — as men and women in places like Colorado, New York, Iowa and Maine transition from shorts to long pants and sweaters, we are still mulling over which of our “good” flip flops to wear outside.
“Good” flip flops are the ones we leave the house in to be in the company of other people, humans whose opinion we care about. Who we are willing to meet for a few moments or share a Sunday brunch with.
The people we are still choosing to spend time with despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
The weather we enjoy and take for granted allows those of us daring enough to spend time with people outside our household to congregate outdoors at parks, beaches and restaurants.
While the rest of the country starts making plans about how to carry on with life and business now that the weather is turning colder, we in the Golden State can continue unhindered with our outdoor dining and exercise.
Enjoy it while you can.
