July 23, 2004
-
We have to be on the lookout for moments of beauty.
It's been way too hot these past few days, and the air has been getting
progressively smoggier. Today was particularly steamy, and only a
breeze blowing through the house we were working on kept me from
melting away to nothing. When I got out of the van after work, it was
still sunny, so I grabbed a coffee and a couple of groceries at the
place across from where I get dropped off, and started walking
downtown. Within 5 minutes, it was absolutely pouring with rain, and my
umbrella was in the van.The quality of light was wonderful -- sun slanting across under the
heavy dark cloud, and a wind stirring up the river. Thunder rumbled
happily. For a while, I darted between patches of shelter along the
path, but eventually it got to be a case of diminishing returns. So
instead of feeling pissed off, I embraced the situation. Walking along,
soaked to the bone, I realized it had been far too long since I'd
walked in a heavy rain without an umbrella. It's such a lovely feeling.I got to the library, and the rainbow I'd been expecting finally
materialized. I stood there in the parking lot staring at it for
several minutes while people drove by, staring at me strangely.Once
you're soaked, why worry about getting rained on? It's amazing how few
people ever look up. I noticed a woman coming out of the library with
her young daughter, focused on getting the library books into the
dry shelter of the car. I pointed out the rainbow to her and she was
delighted. She called the little girl over and showed her. It was the
3-year-old's very first in-real-life rainbow.What an honor, to be able to show a child their first rainbow.
Take care
-J-
Comments (18)
hey dork
I'm off to wales tomorrow. I'm letting you know that I played our song "Mexican in Mexico" on the radio this morning, so expect a cheque of around $0.70 about 9 months from now.
-B
Beautiful scene.
How are you?
Ah, you're all wet.
If you stand under a rainbow will it keep you dry even when you're wet?
Wet is wet. It's just water...It always amuses me to people go running from the rain as if it were acid or radiation.
You're right--beauty can be found where we least expect it. I like to bask in it when I run into something wondrous. I remember after a abd day at work going up to the top of the parking garage and starting out over the city as the sun came down. it was so stunning I just stood there for a few minutes and took it all in.
Great story, Justin! Seeing through the eyes of a child makes all things fresh and new. I'm glad that you "soaked it all in," so to speak!!
Hey, walking in rain and thunderstorms is one of your specialties - I'm glad to know Cambridge provides a suitable venue for you to indulge. Just don't be the tallest thing around in a flat space - you've always been able to rely on being surrounded by hills at home!
Love, hugs & lots more rainbows
That was lovely. Wish I could experience the rain and rainbow as you did. We live in semi-arid place and seldom get a good rain. Next time, think I'll go out and play in it.
Love the way you write. And it's so endearing reading the last bit about the child and the rainbow.
That reminded me of my times in the tropics: Japan, Johnston Atoll, Panama. If we carried an umbrella, it was to protect from the sun, as they were absolutely useless against the really heavy downpours that would soak you instantly. We simply bowed to the inevitable and accepted getting wet when it rained.
Am
wonders of nature...gifts to us
I was once high in the alps with my children and we had a famous tropical downpour. When it cleared we got out of the car climbed a ridge, and to our surpise was a double rainbow, almost as an arc. Most of my children were mesmorized by it but my youngest son (who must have been about four) said he was bored!
Your entry makes me smile.
) I actually enjoy the pouring rain on a hot day. I've gotten the looks from passersbye as well- but I don't really pay them any mind. Just this past weekand- I was at a music festival, and I was trying to get tarps wraped around the screened easy up- before it rained, and next thing I know- the sky just started to pour water all over me. At first I got testy- because I was overtired and had just gotten some terrible news, but then I realized how refreshing and cleansing it felt, and I stopped what I was doing and just stood there and felt the drops of rain runing down my face, soaking me in entirety.
Rainbows are so beautiful. I also caught one after the storm I mentioned, and how sweet that you got to share it with innocent eyes of a child.
Its nice to know that other people can look at the world through the same kind of eyes. SOmetimes I think I am the only one thinking my thoughts and noticing the things I do. I guess I'm not.
That's sweet.
nice story.....
* /N
beautiful description
I'm from Wales
I loved your scarf story. It brought back to me a boyfriend I had who had a fetish for his scarf, it was part of his look I used to bring my best friend on dates and on the fourth one he told me I had to leave her at home. So my best friend and I left the club and on the way out she pulled his scarf off. I think he was more upset with that than with me choosing her.
rob and I made a bit of video where I shoot lightning from my chi and it strikes him in the forehead, causing him to bleed a rainbow like arch of blood as he falls to the ground in slow motion.
B
Came here by way of Paul, and very glad I did.
I got the happy happy honor of showing my kids their first double rainbow. We were driving home from their Dad's house, when we got caught in a rainstorm. Afterwards, with dark, dark clouds in the east, and the sun breaking in the west, I hear my son say "there's two!" This was in response to me telling them to watch for a rainbow as a way of occupying their time for the long drive home.
Too, too cool!
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