On 11/28/2015 11:24 AM, Tony Hwang wrote:

As to your 5C... cold here today -- 62F (17C?) -- but that's about as
cold as we'll typically see in daylight hours for most of the "Winter".
Our Vancouver BC neighbors have obviously decided it worth purchasing
a second home, here, to get away from the PNW dreariness...

We have Chinook wind in winter, maybe you experienced it in CO?

I found wind in Chicago to be the most debilitating. I was clearing
the ice off a rental car at the airport with temps of -26F and a wind
chill of -83F. When the weather forecasters start talking in terms
of "exposed flesh warnings" (in *minutes*!), you know it's cold!

Downtown, the lake keeps things a bit warmer. OTOH, the "canyons"
made by the taller buildings funnel the wind down the streets in
a surreal fashion.

Year round
humidity is on the dry side. In winter indoor humidity can be
negative, without humidifier one's nose can bleed. I just don't like all the
bugs and critters in warm climate.

I like sleeping on the floor (hard surface). But, won't dare since
moving here! Black Widows aren't a problem (indoors) as they want
webs to "borrow" (unless you're a sloppy housekeeper). But, can
be a concern if you're rummaging around through piles of lawn/gardening
equipment that you've stored on the porch, etc.

Wolf spiders are intimidating but, usually, pretty harmless. You'd have
to be blind not to see one (and accidentally provoke it). Tarantulas
are similarly shy -- and I've never seen one indoors.

Scorpions are the biggest "pest". They seem to find ways to get
through cement walls!! OTOH, depriving them of their foodstuffs
does a lot to keep them away (when we removed the lawn, the number
of scorpions fell dramatically!).

Wildlife is a bigger problem as many are physically large (coyote,
javelina, bobcat, bear) and "get their way" in a confrontation.
I worry for SWMBO's safety when she's hiking in the desert (nat'l
park). OTOH, we've had bob cat, javelina, coyote and even bear
in the *neighborhood*.

But wife being a serious green thumb, misses
all the flowers, shrubs growing down there. I

Yeah, our front "lawn" is a carpet of wildflowers. Presently blue bells
and poppies (I've been aggressively trying to get rid of the lupines
as they take a lot of time to maintain).

The downside for folks like me (seasonal allergies) is there is
ALWAYS something in bloom to irritate! There are times of the year
when cars will be covered in yellow pollen. Or, you'll look
out the window and see "puffs of smoke" -- which are actually pollen
releases.

guess home is where you are no matter what.

Exactly. There are good and bad things everywhere. I miss the
"opportunities" of New England -- but not the weather, arrogance,
traffic, etc. I miss Chicago pizza -- but not the flatness of
the landscape, bitter cold, monotony of culture, etc. I suspect
I will (eventually) miss things from here...

Also oriental custom does
not like moving around. Some even says if one leaves home town he can't
go to heaven, LOL!

Ah, well... I'm screwed. Good thing I don't believe in Heaven! :
I figure I've got maybe two more moves left in me, time permitting...