*** You know, it’s two years ago TODAY that WordPress came up with this prompt. They very possibly did so again last March 23rd. I haven’t checked.
So, apologies. If our host is comfortable with duplication, then so am I. Two years is a long time of course, and a lot can change in that timeframe. Like in this piece, I refer to my being a professional dog-walker. Well, yeah – I WAS. For eighteen years I was. But I retired eighteen months ago, though the sentiment in what follows still remains. ***

As I write this, the DJ on a London-based radio station is banging on about what a lovely morning it is in the UK capital; sun shining, gloriously blue skies and temperatures already rising at 8am.

Well, it’s bloody nowt like that here in Glasgow! I mean, I’m happy for the people of London and all that, but does the media have to keep rubbing it in?

The weather we have here in Glasgow is rubbish. We’re used to it of course; we’ve grown with it; lived our whole lives under grey, threatening skies; become accustomed to the humid atmosphere and smell of damp clothes in our homes as soaking garments are draped over a clothes horse to dry out in front of a fire / radiator.

It’s what’s made us so proudly miserable.

But, oh, how we yearn for a bit of that southern sunshine.

Yeah, ok, it does come out to play on occasion. May, June and sometimes early July are often pretty decent weather-wise. I work outside (I’m a dog-walker) and take on a healthy, early summer suntan.

It’s during this period, everyone comments on what a wonderful job I have; how lucky I am not to be cooked up in an office.

Oh yeah – but I bet you’re glad of that nice, cozy wee office during the other nine / ten months of the year, aren’t you?

It’s not a lot of fun, walking dogs through the muddy fields and back lanes of a rain and wind-lashed, cold Renfrewshire in November, I can tell you.

However, it actually IS still better than being cooked up in an office. And it promotes an even greater appreciation of those few warm and sunny days that blow our way.

Yup – you’ve guessed (it’s pretty damn obvious, isn’t it?) My favourite weather is ‘dry and sunny.’

But I’m not complaining. Being outside and observing nature in all it’s glory is a great way to spend the day – whatever the climate.

One thing’s for sure – to paraphrase the lyrics to a song by Crowded House:

‘Everywhere I go, I always take the weather with me.’

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