Seems like I write a lot about the weather but it never ceases to amaze me here. I have decided that Santa Cruz has weekly and daily seasons. The same temperatures can happen summer and winter from day to day.
 
It was 83 Sunday here. Warmer than inland which it not typical but go figure. The latest argument in government and in the Sentinel has been about paying for and building a desalination plant. We need water to drink and to grow with. The university plans to expand the number of students which is a good thing, I believe. 

That means more research, more culture, more jobs and aliveness in the community. There are a lot of retired folks and an aging population that needs some balance...though they don't think so.

We are rolling into longer days which brings more fog and overcast. Its a good thing the days are long in summer given the lack of daily sunshine compared to winter

There never really is a summer here. But then again there isn't a winter. This season change has squirrels running around stashing away nuts for rainy days. Squirrels are smarter than people.  I was reading more in the paper the arguments pro and con about building a desalination plant. They have put it off for many years but now time is running out. 

I notice people do that a lot: put things off until they have no choice but to do something. It is most obvious in the big things like running out of water. We don't have a sense of urgency until it's an emergency. There are those few who have stored years of food, pack-ratted away extra everythings just in case. It's never been my style until now. 

I actually am putting aside my earthquake stash but not for a natural disaster but because I just think there are going to be weird shortages of things. Not necessarily food but other things. There was another article about shortages of some generic drugs for cancer and heart conditions. The companies just stopped making them because they weren't profitable. 

That reminded me of trips to Mexico on vacation. Some people bring back bad souvenirs. Me, I brought back drugs of all kinds including antibiotics. Sounds crazy, I know, given that I prefer herbal remedies. But I can grow herbs. I can't grow Penicillin. I have them stowed away in the refrigerator for when the day comes when someone I love will need them and can't get them.

Water, I think is a much bigger problem. Much bigger.

This time last year I was sojourning up in Lake Tahoe at a family cabin. Santa Cruz had been socked in for two months straight with fog and overcast that never lifted. By August, I was crazy and heat starved.  I packed up and left. Traveling always gives me perspective in that I appreciate even more what I have where I live.  The Tahoe humidity was so low that I was literally dessicated after a month. That certainly gave me a true appreciate for how much fog agrees with my skin and curly hair. It is a moisture air bath just to go out and get the paper every morning.

I would never give up the beach for more sun.  There is something comforting to be able to wear the same clothes summer and winter...just change from summer flip-flops to winter Ugg boots. Although some people wear both year round. It is so mild and pleasant that the jolt of an occasional earthquake is even a good wake-up call. 

I am liking August in Santa Cruz. There seems to be an endless round of art and music festivals, wharf to somewhere runs, surf contests at Opal Cliffs, 26th Avenue, and Steamers, and of course the street entertainment on Pacific Avenue. Now that dogs are allowed there for the 1st time in 35 years (merchants are looking for customers anyway they can get them), the amusement is compounded.