What's That Bright Light In The Sky?

    Those of us that reside in the great north west forget what the sun is during the winter.  Their are certainly worse weather conditions that come with winter time than daze on end of cloudy, dark, gloomy skies.  But it really does start to mess with your head after awhile.  And many of us don't have much left to mess with!  I have only been back for a month, and noticed today that the sun is bright!  I realize even your six year old knows this, but the sun seldom breaks through the layers upon layers of grey.   And when it does, everyone walks around squinting, wishing they could recall were they put that pair of sun glasses. 
    Rain is not all that hard to deal with.  After awhile you get your webbed feet, and float on with life.  But days in a winter row, you just see clouds and dankness.  If it is going to be gloomy, it should rain in my book.  Please note my book is very blank so far.   I'm getting used to Christmas rain again, and worries of flooding instead of thinking about waking up shoveling mountains of snow.  But way before winter is over, the gloom grows old. 
    It even has it's own medical condition.  I can't recall the name, but it sounds like faaaaaaa-on-you!   You live here, get used to it.   Welcome to Washington, and or Oregon!  That off my chest, you can purchase light boxes for your houses to help you cope.  Through the day, the box simulates the sunshine and gets brighter through the day.  I imagine they are very expensive and very boring boxes.  But I am easily amused, so might just sit in front of it, basking in the fake light.   Saying "ooooH bright light!"  
    Coffee shops are also overly abundant to help you deal with the constant dark skies.   And give an instant boost of energy.  True natives do not need umbrellas ever.  And they can be spotted by being heavily soaked.   You can also spot a native by looking at their feet.   Not for webbed toes, I made that up.  But equally as stupid, they love to run around in sandals with socks on.  I am not sure what this accomplishes beyond cold and damp feet.  But to each your own.   You also soon learn to not steep off of sidewalks onto grassy patches.  You will slow sink several feet.  
    The northwest summers make up for the winter.   One year in Eugene, OR--We saw 55 days in a row of straight, full on sunshine.   The residents are so happy to see that bright light in the sky again, they have festivals constantly.