Have you ever looked out the window and wondered if you should postpone taking a walk because of what you saw? Today, I was presented with two views out my window. One, sunny and brilliant, encouraged my feet. The other told me in complete certainty that I shouldn’t be stepping out the door. Then a rainbow spread over the sky, which against the dark clouds, made my confusion even more perplexing.
Of course, I went. And, of course, the weather went with me. Down to the beach, one side of the sky filled with brilliant sunshine and the other, a flip-side of dark threatening clouds. Threatening what, I wanted to ask myself? More rain would be a blessing, even after so much wet this winter. Sometimes threats are really just promises hiding in over-used expressions.
Still, this hope for rain didn’t make me wish for it right here and now. Would the rain wait until I finished my walk? Nature honestly doesn’t care about my dry feet, so I wasn’t sure at all. Even so, that didn’t make me turn around and head for safety.
But thinking that perhaps I should find a dry place to perch made me pause to admire the tenacity of the shore birds along the way. The night herons lined up diagonally along the wave line, facing the wind as the weather began changing from coolly invigorating to perhaps cold and rainy. They might change their behavior with the weather, but they don’t consider leaving as I do. Brave creatures, staying close to the tide and waiting out the drop in air temperature from 60 degrees F to 52. Living along this coast, where creatures (all of us) have discarded the notion of seasonal migration, is a funny reminder that we live in a bubble of weather bliss.
But there is still the threat of rain. Even when it is a temperate climate, getting wet is still getting wet, and something my socks don’t want to do. At one point in the walk, the sky literally split, with one side being blue and the other cloudy gray.
Had we had enough rain this season? Since we moved here, almost five years ago, my walks at home have been mostly dry drought walks. Tip-toeing through puddles this last month or two hasn’t yet gotten old. Not for me and my damp socks, nor for the glorious life springing up from a wet earth.
Before the walk ended, that threat had come true. My glasses spotted-over with rain drops. I remembered how important hats were – having forgotten mine for the hundredth time. And I felt the dampness seeping into the sandals I am lucky enough to wear every day. Here I am, loving the rain in central California. More, please.
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I’m glad you’re enjoying the rain! Have some of ours, be my guest ….
😉
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I’m laughing, Anabel. Still enjoying the rain, though. Of course, right now I sit in brilliant sunshine on our deck, waiting for this afternoon’s storm. I know, somebody has to live here 😉
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Mother Nature is apparently making up for lost time in the rain department for you and your feathered friends!
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Hugh – we had a wild couple days when everyone was advised to stay put because we simply don’t know how to function in rain (ice and snow are worlds away from our understanding) 🙂
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Having had crazy wind and rain yesterday and through the night, I am now looking out the window trying to decide if it’s safe for a walk. I’m loving the rain (as are my plants), but it does make planning a bit more difficult.
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Janis – I think you may have gotten more than we did, and I thought ours was rough. Hope you got out for the walk. 🙂
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Gorgeous Moro!
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Cindy – Your gorgeous photos of the sandpipers really caught their beauty. I feel so fortunate to walk here anytime I feel like it (rain permitting…or rain included!)
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I don’t mind a spot or two of rain, so long as I’m not in my best togs with immaculate hair (and believe me, that doesn’t happen often 🙂 ) I was lunching in our marina with a friend today and the sky changed colour any number of times, but I made it home dry. 🙂 And a rainbow is always a treat! Not much fun being a bird sometimes. Thanks for sharing your lovely Morro Bay, Susan.
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Thank YOU, RJo. We have gotten so used to not having rain here, I’d forgotten that rain drops get your hair wet! Three times in two days, I was drenched, and happy for it. Glad you made it back from your lunch dry. Isn’t it beautiful when the sky changes with the weather?
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Yes, it is! I’ve had my son at home this weekend with his new lady friend and they’ve just gone out to experience Hartlepool weather 🙂
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Love your pic of the shore birds! I got caught in rain yesterday too.
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“some people feel the rain, most people just get wet”
I love meeting another person that celebrates another good soaking! Thanks for letting me join your walk.
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Thank you for coming along, Gabe. Maybe it’s our lack of recent rain, but this moisture has been lovely and definitely a cause for celebration 🙂
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I am happy you got rain this year, and an occasional puddle just gives some jumping exercise 🙂
When I see a sky like that, I usually check the local weather radar to see how long I have before it pours. Not so much for me, but for my camera.
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Cuz, I flew into SFO yesterday for a long-weekend with family. Wow! So much snow in the Sierra’s, and muddy rivers where only dry stream beds have been. The sitly water curving from the south bay into the tidal marshes and blue-greens of the bay would have a made a great abstract expressionist image. Bet you have some great surf from these storms too.
Cuz-O
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Have a wonderful visit. We’ll have to schedule a joint visit somewhere (east coast?) soon – tomorrow we fly to Singapore!
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Having gone through a drought for several years when we lived off the coast of south Texas, I still enjoy rainy days and will never take rain for granted again. Your photos of your walk are great and it looks like your idea to get out and enjoy the day was a good one even if you did get wet at the end. 😁 What a beautiful area you live in and I can tell how much you love and appreciate your surroundings! Anita
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Anita – The locals are always saying “another day in paradise” – after five years living here, it’s still surprisingly fitting. (which doesn’t at all mean it’s the only paradise on earth!) Susan
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Susan, we lived a couple of years in Oregon, and part of that time was on the coast in the small town of Newport. Your photos of the beach, mountains and shore birds bring back good memories of that time. We moved to Oregon from St. Augustine Beach, FL, and the contrast in weather was amazing. Living in Oregon taught me a couple of life lessons: 1. What makes good rain gear; 2. Never stray far without your rain gear. Nice post. ~James
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James (and Terri) – Don’t you just love living all over this wonderful planet? Happy and safe travels on your up-coming trip 🙂
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