On Saturday, it was 80 degrees and I played tennis outside. On Sunday, a thick wave of fog rolled in from Lake Michigan, enshrouding buildings, coiling around trees and lampposts. Then last night it started snowing. Flurries in the middle of April? There’s no such thing as strange weather in Chicago.
I find fog delightful. There’s something comforting about its haziness; you get the sense that you can hide among the closely-packed water droplets. It also reminds me, however vaguely, of when I lived in California. Sometimes the fog would get so thick that you could barely make out the houses across the street. And once, when driving home in Illinois, a fog storm rolled in, and I had to concentrate on the bright yellow line on the side of the road to avoid succumbing to the mist.
If you’re not referring to the weather, “fog” takes on another connotation–one of bewilderment, confusion, and uncertainty. But that’s not how chilly mist makes me feel; if anything, fog has a clarifying effect on my mind. Perhaps it’s because you have no choice but to pause and wonder at the whipped vapor that calmly diffracts the light, casting a gentle pallor over everything. Fog is a break from sunshine, from rain, from snow and sleet and storms.
And so there I am, staring out over Lake Michigan, breathing in the drizzled air and wondering where lake meets sky.
All photos by G.
literaryvittles.wordpress.com 
Love a good foggy haze especially over a pretty lake. Thanks for taking me away for a brief moment – it’s still hot here and I’m craving cooler weather.
Thank you for commenting, dear! Looks like you’ll be getting more mild weather in the coming weeks, no? For my part, I’m looking forward to consistent sunshine 🙂
Really nice photos in that. The yellow boat one in particular!
yes, the yellow boat is my favorite! hence why I put it at the top 🙂
So pretty!
thank you!
A lovely post, and great pictures! I like fog too, also at night! (though I can understand why some people feel unsafe in it)
Thank you! Yes, fog at night is also very relaxing (though I like rain at night even better). Fog can be dangerous if it’s thick and you’re trying to drive in it, certainly!
And here I thought we were actually going to see what you looked like. What a tease…. 😉
Heh 🙂 Perhaps I’ll put up a not-so-anonymous photo someday, but I didn’t want people to decide whether to follow/read/listen to my blog based on my appearance, so that’s why I’ve avoided it up to now… I figured this one was safe, though!
Yes, fog is cool. But yes, I can’t see the awesome looking coast when it’s foggy out! 😀 Very nice shots, Alina! Amazing how you do little of photography posts, but it’s impressive every time.
Thank you, Rommel! Originally I wasn’t planning to put up any photography on this blog at all—can you imagine? But then a decent camera came into orbit, and I figured, why not?
Those are beautiful photos – I love the one with you in it! I think there is something magical about fog. It always makes me think of Wuthering Heights.
Yes, I thought it was about time for me to share a (relatively anonymous) photo of myself! It’s a weird thing, writing on the Internet – sometimes it’s hard to believe there’s a person behind the website, and I didn’t want to let that vibe persist for too long. Does that make sense, or am I just thinking unclearly?? (ha)
Fog does come in on “little cat feet.” Love the photos.
Thank you 🙂 In other news, I will be sending off your books today!
Lovely shots
Thank you! My favorite is the one with the yellow boat. 🙂