Wednesday Vignette: Rain Dance!
I wasn't sure I would have anything to share for Wednesday Vignette, hosted by Anna at Flutter&Hum, having been busy with things other than finding beautiful sights to photograph, but when I woke up this morning and saw nearly two inches of rain in the rain gauge I knew what my "vignette" would be:
I know many people are feeling the loss of summer as Fall officially arrives this Friday and the rainy season in the PNW has begun. Some are already bemoaning the rain, after only a few days. I've caught myself several times on the verge of telling them to "suck it up" or something along those lines, but then I think of how I start griping as soon as the temperatures approach 80 in spring (and continue to do so all summer...). It really wouldn't be fair for me to say anything other than "I'm sorry you're hurting," and try not to rub my glee at the return of rain in their faces too much. I understand your pain (especially those who have to work in the cold rain), I just don't share it, yet. Personally, I won't be feeling it until long after the last leaves have fallen, when my young garden is looking far too bare and we've had some hard, anxiety-inducing freezes from Arctic air masses (hopefully this winter won't be as bad as last). That said, this post is all about sharing my happiness about the rain, so sorry in advance to any who are already feeling the onset of S.A.D.
It's been such a dry, hot summer. Fires have been raging all across the PNW, and even areas well away from the fires have suffered from repeated periods of smoke-filled air, forcing people with respiratory issues (like me) to stay inside or wear protective masks. Even more than the heat and dryness, the smoke was intensely depressing for me. The cool, moist air, washed clean by the rain, is a welcome relief to my lungs and a balm to my spirit, withered by the dry heat of summer. More than anything, I feel relief on behalf of the firefighters, and people who have had to evacuate their homes due to the many fires this summer. Native plants and wildlife have been very stressed, as well, and I feel happiness for the trees and other plants drinking in this rain after a long dry season, and the many birds visiting the garden now that they don't have to huddle around whatever water source they can find. The greens in the garden are more intense under the cloudy skies, and the flowers of autumn glow rather than glare harshly. The sound of water dripping from leaves soothes me.
Another reason I welcome the return of rain is that it makes planting so much easier, especially in a large garden where it can be hard to keep new plants, scattered so widely, watered. My mind has been working over new plantings and plants that need moved for the last month, and now it's finally time to get started!
I know many people are feeling the loss of summer as Fall officially arrives this Friday and the rainy season in the PNW has begun. Some are already bemoaning the rain, after only a few days. I've caught myself several times on the verge of telling them to "suck it up" or something along those lines, but then I think of how I start griping as soon as the temperatures approach 80 in spring (and continue to do so all summer...). It really wouldn't be fair for me to say anything other than "I'm sorry you're hurting," and try not to rub my glee at the return of rain in their faces too much. I understand your pain (especially those who have to work in the cold rain), I just don't share it, yet. Personally, I won't be feeling it until long after the last leaves have fallen, when my young garden is looking far too bare and we've had some hard, anxiety-inducing freezes from Arctic air masses (hopefully this winter won't be as bad as last). That said, this post is all about sharing my happiness about the rain, so sorry in advance to any who are already feeling the onset of S.A.D.
It's been such a dry, hot summer. Fires have been raging all across the PNW, and even areas well away from the fires have suffered from repeated periods of smoke-filled air, forcing people with respiratory issues (like me) to stay inside or wear protective masks. Even more than the heat and dryness, the smoke was intensely depressing for me. The cool, moist air, washed clean by the rain, is a welcome relief to my lungs and a balm to my spirit, withered by the dry heat of summer. More than anything, I feel relief on behalf of the firefighters, and people who have had to evacuate their homes due to the many fires this summer. Native plants and wildlife have been very stressed, as well, and I feel happiness for the trees and other plants drinking in this rain after a long dry season, and the many birds visiting the garden now that they don't have to huddle around whatever water source they can find. The greens in the garden are more intense under the cloudy skies, and the flowers of autumn glow rather than glare harshly. The sound of water dripping from leaves soothes me.
Another reason I welcome the return of rain is that it makes planting so much easier, especially in a large garden where it can be hard to keep new plants, scattered so widely, watered. My mind has been working over new plantings and plants that need moved for the last month, and now it's finally time to get started!
Glad you got some rainfall! (How can it be fall already? Hard to tell when it's still in the 90's here).
ReplyDeleteIck. I hope it cools down for you. It's been wonderfully cool here.
DeleteI am SO jealous! I share your affection for fall's cooler temperatures and rain is pure joy. We have a 40% of a shower late tonight or early tomorrow but I'm trying not to get too excited as the last unseasonable weather system that passed through here came to nothing. Our vicious Santa Ana winds are due to make an appearance next week.
ReplyDeleteHope you get that rain! You need it even more than we do.
DeleteI wholeheartedly second your emotion on the return of the rains. I'm elated, in fact - I especially hope this rain will help with the many forest fires. And, you put it so much more beautifully than I ever could have. It's true - us heat wimps have suffered through the heat and the drought long enough, I think. Now our turn has come to enjoy being outdoors again. Hooray!
ReplyDelete"Now our turn has come to enjoy being outdoors again." I like that.
DeleteI share your joy about the return of the rain and look forward to things greening up a bit. However, the cold dark mornings aren't my favorite. Getting up and going to work in the dark isn't fun and soon the furnace will have to be turned on again and I so enjoy the very low gas bill in the summer. Guess the water bill being lower will make up for it. I'm holding out for a few warm and bright autumn days that make working outside fun.
ReplyDeleteHear, hear! You said it so well. I share your love of cooler temps and rain, as well as your breathing issues with the smoke. This week has been wonderful. While I don't garden in a downpour, I do actually bundle up and go out in a light rain and garden, even with temps in the 40s.
ReplyDeleteGreat post: you summed up my feeling better then I could. I've been in a hot and humid climate for the past 2 weeks and can't wait to be stated side again, breath in the cool, clean fresh Seattle air. Since no proper gardening can be done during the heat of summer, I too am anxious to get started on my list of projects I save for Autumn. Hallelujah!
ReplyDeleteHere we have a long wait ahead for some rain, though at least it cools down at night.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy it. Rain-washed air, there is nothing sweeter. So glad summer is done!
Your empathy for the sun worshipers am0ngst us is instructive...must remember not to gloat.
ReplyDelete