Dull Days

I read an article in the paper this morning about the link between depression and cloudy, dull weather.  It seems as if cognitive function in depressed people declines on dark days.  The article certainly provided an explanation for my inability to finish the crossword puzzle.  It may also provide a clue as to why this post is about that over-reaching Canadian preoccupation -- the weather.  A while back Natasha wrote a brilliant post called Summer: The Dope-Smoking, Half-Naked, Laze-About.  You know what?  He hasn't been around here lately. 

Ontario is getting an anomalous July full of rain, thunderstorms, clouds and cool temperatures.  The weather is in the news, 'Too Much Rain', Toronto pothole, and on the mind of my farming neighbours who are frustrated to the screaming point by their inability to get in the hay.  Meanwhile, the strawberry season was short and the berries small, the corn is sitting around looking pale green and as depressed as the rest of us, and my husband and I have been able to get out for a day's boating on the Rideau Canal system exactly three times since early June.  Call this summer Willy the Wet-blanket, perhaps?  What I really want to call it would probably bump me off Google Docs.

Does this mean that I have used these rain days to clear my desk, write brilliant posts, finish the mending and catch up on my reading?  Right!  Of course not. I am unable to settle to anything (this writing session is being interrupted by frequent glances out the window to check that my laundry is drying, not being rained on).  I am rereading silly Sci Fi novels that I usually save for the January doldrums.  I am losing to the computer at chess. In the words of the wonderful old Anglican Book of Common Prayer 'I have left undone those things I ought to have done, I have done those things I ought not to have done and there is no health in me.' 

There is no health in me. You would almost think that Cramner et al had read this morning's National Post.  Only, I find, having gone back to get the link, that's not where the article was.  Maybe I heard it on CBC Morning? Oh, rats! Yep, cognitive function definitely down.  What a fine thing to have something to blame.

At least my geraniums are happy.

Original post to Canada Moms Blog.  When her brain isn't all soggy, Mary G also posts at Them's My Sentiments.