HASSO HERING

Relax, this has nothing to do with global warming. At least I don’t think it does, but it does have to do with being outdoors in the sunshine.

I was just going for a little ride out of Albany Friday, and it struck me that around here we often enjoy this kind of glorious October weather. It’s more like summer, but nothing like the heat waves and other crazy weather we hear about from other parts of the country and the world.

Pedaling through all that sunshine with a slight tail wind from the north, I also briefly thought how lucky we are to be far from most of the big trouble shaking up the world and keeping the talking heads excited on the cable news.

It’s too bad that Thanksgiving doesn’t come until late November, when it’s usually chilly and wet and sometimes puts a damper on our feelings about nature. We should have that holiday in October, when we still have reason to be grateful for the climate western Oregon enjoys. (hh)

The view from Ryals Avenue N.W. in outside of North Albany on Oct. 2.