Missiologist: Reflections on Seattle IV
I have to say that after being here for 6 months, and ALL of that time being pretty much miserable weather (including some of the worst flooding ever seen here and some major snow storms), I can wholeheartedly agree that the winters here are depressing ..yep, pretty depressing. So many people, on finding out that I am from England, have made some comment about how the weather must be just like “home” and I must be used to it. Honestly, if I had a dollar for every time someone said that I would be ..hmmmm let me see.well, relatively well-off. certainly not rich, but relatively well-off. My point, however, is that a LOT of people say this to me. Anyway, in response to this, I feel that the only answer I can give is; Noooooooooooo. No, no, no! Au contraire my American friends, this is not the case at all! It seems that the rest of the world is under the impression that it always rains in England, however, this simply isn’t true. The winters in England are often filled with really cold days with beautiful blue sky and sunshine rather than endless clouds and rain – in fact, autumn last year was stunning and still really warm. Blake and I had a blessing ceremony in England in October last year and it was hot and sunny like a summer’s day. And then the next week I moved to Seattle.
Don’t get me wrong, Seattle is one of the most beautiful places I have lived and I love it here, but a little bit of sunshine would do wonders for this city! I had high hopes recently that spring had arrived because we had a short bout of sunny days, but alas I was mistaken and the rain returned. How do Seattleites cope with this weather, I wonder? Well, I’m not really sure. Does it cheer people up that it’s one of the only places where grown-ups can wear Wellington boots and not be beaten for it? Possibly . I doubt it, but possibly. Personally, I wonder if Seattleites just try to live in denial and pretend that its summer all the time. Seriously, it never ceases to amaze me that, while I walk around in big jumpers and long trousers because its cold and wet, almost everyone else seems to be in summer clothes. The Seattle wardrobe seems to look like this:
• t-shirts
• long shorts
• flip flops (I believe these are called “thongs” in American).
What’s that about?! Seattle should get an award for adopting the most impractical shoe ever. “It rains all the time here so what shoes do I need? ..ooh! I know! Flip flops!” No. What people should really be wearing is a giant pair of waders and Wellington boots. If I was the mayor, I would make a law that every person who lives here and everyone that moves here, on entering the city limits, would be given a complimentary pair of Wellington boots and waders. Oh, and one of those mini umbrellas that is attached to a headband so you can put it on your head instead of holding it. (strange those never caught on.). Just picture it now; Seattle would be filled with people who look like duck hunters with mini umbrellas on their heads but they would be happy (and ironically pro-animal rights).
Actually, the more I think about it, the more I see a plan coming together .Mayor Jo Dean . Ooooh that’s inspired! Okay, its probably raining again so I’m off to the beach in my t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops to plan my campaign .I hope there’s an ice-cream van there .
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And good day to you Jo!
I have to admit that you fit in with Seattle quiet well!
My family and I moved her last August from S. Florida and have never in my life heard so much “bitching and blogging” (those were the words of our beloved Pastor Mark). No punch intended Mark! I do love you!
Since moving out here from an ALL SUN STATE (God, thank you again for moving us out here) I have never felt so close to heaven…ok, minus the grouchy people and the plague of constant sin (a reminder I am not, in fact, in heaven yet).
I understand moving a long distance can be depressing and yes, it does rain here…a lot…but I wanted to give you a bit of cheer and positive feedback as you sound like a little lost puppy in the deep, dark woods. I challenge you to the following: take a walk through a park (Carkeek Park & Discovery are great). And yes, the long walk. Get a camera (if you do not have one) and take some pictures of flowers, bare trees, woodland animals, etc. and really look at your pictures after they are developed. For my last challenge. Look for God in all these things because He is sooo there! Deep, beautiful, and craving to be found…giggling while he hides.
Ok, so what am I trying to say? He is everywhere! If you look for Him you will find Him. He is in the leaves, in the rain, in the fish, and the air. He just wants to be found. Like a little kid playing hide ‘n go seek.
I hope you have a wonderful day Jo….full of rainshine.
Micki Bryant
Florida Transplant
Seattle, WA
Happy camper!
I believe flip flops are called thongs in Australia, where I live, however, in the states a thong is a piece of very thin underwear. So i still think they are called flip flops there (can an american confirm this?). I can tell you that they are called jandles in New Zealand.
Keep enjoying that weather.
I recently confirmed this rare-seen Seattlite species that wears shorts and FLIP-FLOPS during rain(yes, this is a bonafide American confirming that “flip-flops” is the correct choice of word and if you start talking about taking your “thongs” off, you will surely receive many strange looks from confused, and probably scared, friends). I was there the week of the Resurgence conference, and strangely enough, during cloudy, rainy days, there were all these strange creatures without umbrellas for one, and even worse, wearing shorts and flip-flops! i eagerly stared at this phenomenon like i was at the zoo watching penguins. In my short stay in Seattle, I have decided these people must indeed always be trying to trick the mind into thinking it’s warm and sunny. And maybe this mind-washing works (read: foot-washing), but I think my feet would rather not find out.
Michelle Parker
Binghamton, NY
It’s regional, Duke. In the South, where I lived as a kid, they were called flip flops. When I moved to sunny Southern California, I was utterly befuddled to hear my new friends extol the cuteness of other people’s thongs. In sixth grade back then, they were talking about flip flops, but in sixth grade today, it’s probably more about underwear, unfortunately.
Jandles? Interesting.
In the States they are usually called flip-flops but it depends on what part of the Country you’re in. Living on the East Coast (which I did for 31 years) they are called flip-flops but I think they’re called both on the West Coast…I’ve never been to California though so I really can’t speak them.
Micki