Sunshine on My Shoulders

While the rest of the country had unseasonable warm weather in March, we waited, perhaps a bit jealous and envious, for our turn. It was a cold and soggy March, and while appreciated by many (including moles and vampires), we finished the month on the cold side when compared to average temperatures.

Spring is typically a bit cool and unsettled in the Great North Wet, or as I recently discovered, also known as The Zone of Filtered Sunshine.

Written in 1924 to promote economic and demographic growth in Seattle, In the Zone of Filtered Sunshine proposed to investors and immigrants reasons why to make their new home in the Puget Sound, making a virtue out of the cloudy weather of the coastal Northwest. This type of weather apparently had been shown throughout history to be the most conducive to economic prosperity and achievements by civilization. “Filtered sunshine -- sunshine filtered thru the clouds -- and only a moderate degree of intense sunshine, as exists in the Pacific Northwest, is best for all, and vital to the development of the most energetic peoples.”

I always thought it was the coffee that made the people of the Pacific Northwest energetic. Who knew it was filtered sunshine?

Be that as it may, Spring has arrived in Bellingham, just in time for the opening of the Farmer's Market, one of the largest farmers markets in Washington State. Our day in the unfiltered sun has come. I, for one, am happy.