Signs of Evolution
I’ve noticed a few signs recently, besides my silver hair and a birthday approaching, that I am evolving.
The first sign is that I seem to be obsessed with the weather. It’s rather humorous since I live in California where the weather has a rather narrow band of fluctuation . . . it is hot or just warm? Sunny or sunny and breezy? My husband is the one who pointed out my obsession and asked why I’m always talking about the weather. Well, truth be told, it’s probably because my own personal thermostat is not working so well right now and I am running hot. Yesterday evening on our usual dog walk, my husband wore sweatpants, a long-sleeve shirt and sweatshirt. I wore shorts and a short-sleeved shirt, with flip flops. It felt just a little chilly to me, so I was curious about the temperature, since I can’t really judge it accurately on my own. It was a breezy 63 degrees and foggy. It felt great. I look up the weather wherever I’m going to be, since there are so many microclimates around me, and plan accordingly. If it will be over 80 degrees, which it often is where I live, I make accommodations for myself that I didn’t have to do until recently, like making sure I will be in air-conditioning of some sort. I used to think the refrigerated produce section of Costco was freezing. Now, it is a good refuge on really hot days. It’s important to know how to make your errands tolerable. The weather is always refreshing in the cold Costco section.
The second thing I’ve noticed is that my coffee is rarely hot enough, or doesn’t stay hot. I know this is an evolving moment because when we would go to a restaurant with my husband’s grandmother Katherine, she would complain, loudly and cranky, that the coffee was not hot enough. Every time. I think of her every time I think about putting my coffee in the microwave for a warmup. Katherine drank coffee with and after every meal, lunch and dinner included. She didn’t complain that her clacking dentures didn’t fit and it was difficult to chew, or that caffeine would keep her awake. She wanted her coffee boiling, and to stay boiling hot. She died before mug warmers were a thing. She would have loved them. I mostly drink cold brew now, so I avoid the not-hot-enough thing. Cold brew also seems to have less effect on screwing up my personal thermostat than hot coffee does. Probably I should stick to cold brew and maybe I’ll be less obsessed with the weather.
The third bit of evidence of evolving is that I’m noticing birds more often. Have you ever really noticed that birds are everywhere, and there are so many different kinds? And they all sound different, and there’s an app you can download to tell you what kinds you are hearing? I’m sure they’ve been around me my whole life, but for some reason, they are more noticeable and interesting to me now. And yes this seems to be a common experience for others who are evolving. But it’s still pretty crazy when it happens to you. Recently there have been big schools of anchovies in the ocean that have attracted thousands of birds, and I nearly lost my mind watching them. I recorded them and the sound they make. Want to see? I posted it on my Instagram/Facebook.
Of course I’m evolving in other ways as well; tastes, opinions, tolerances, desires, sleep, exercise. I prefer the term evolve rather than “getting old.” It’s possible to embrace change and evolve, without regret or shame in the process, and with acceptance. To let go of things that no longer resonate, and embrace a newfound fascination with weather and birds, while drinking hot (or iced) coffee. I’m curious what will come next. Hopefully not the clacking dentures.