Saturday, April 24, 2010

RAINY SATURDAY

Our area's National Weather Service prophets—possibly operating on the theory that if you keep predicting something long enough, it will eventually come true—claimed it was going to rain all day yesterday. Actually, they made this announcement the day before. Come yesterday morning, they'd revised their call, saying rain would move into the region sometime after noon. When noon came, with skies still bright and sunny, I expect they revised their revision—perhaps declaring this thoughtlessly dawdling rain would now arrive in the night, or even…gasp!…not until this morning, though I don't know that to be the case. By then I'd given up listening to their prognostications in favor of simply looking outside. The way I figured, if I observed millions of little water droplets falling out of a cloudy sky, I could safely assume it was raining.
I'm not making fun of our weather experts. Honest. They have a difficult job—impossible, really, since nature remains oblivious to their latest and greatest technology, steadfastly unimpressed by all their charts and data. They're sort of like sports announcers trying to give blow-by-blow details of a boxing match before the fight takes place. Weather forecasting is still guesswork, no matter how fancy a plate it's served up on—as much supposition as science.
(I just checked the current prediction for my area. The rain, they say, will be here after noon, three hours from now. Looking out my window, I see it is raining. Hmmm…)
Why these weather musings? Well, because it's Saturday morning, and I'd rather be out: a) taking photos and walking in the woods; b) planting seeds and preparing seed/plant beds; c) adding more rock slabs to my pseudo-flagstone walk; d) fishing. Instead, it looks as though I'll be relegated to: e) working inside; and f) grumbling about the weather.
Yes, we need rain. The annual seeds I stuck in the ground more than a week ago need rain. The flowers and bushes I planted need rain. The iron-hard ground where I'm laying my pseudo-flagstone walkway needs rain, which will subsequently benefit my back if I can dig with a shovel rather than a pick-axe. The river and fish therein need their fresh drink, too. And God knows, the lawn always welcomes rain, which keeps the lawnmower happy.
I'm just not in the mood for rain today. Not in the mood for these light showers and gloomy skies. And neither, apparently, is the great blue heron I photographed in the nether-light of what passed for a late dawn this morning. The big bird and fellow fisherman has been flapping from one riffle to another for hours, unsettled, unable to find a place he likes—restless and moody as me in his own way.
I'd fly off, too, if I could…
———————

27 comments:

Rowan said...

At least at this time of the year you can be pretty sure that the sun will be shining again before too long. Meantime it means you have to rest - like it or not. And your back probably does like it:)

George said...

Not to worry, Griz. You are still sheltered by leaf and sky.

Jayne said...

I commiserate... it was gorgeous all week long, and now, here we are, looking forward to a weekend of rain, rain, rain. It's raining here too. And, like you, I am not wanting to deal with dreary skies, yet appreciating the free water on my plants and flowers. :c)

Bernie said...

We have been having rain which I don't mind but it has been cold which I do mind......one thing I have learned is that mother nature doesn't seem to care how I feel she is going to do whatever she is going to do anyway......so be like me enjoy being inside, warm, happy and with someone you love. Doesn't get any better than that Grizz.
.........:-) Hugs

Robin said...

Oh.

Oh. I know just what mood you're in.

When you come out, please visit my place... myfineandprivateplace.blogspot.com and tell me what you think about this 'abode'.

Standing in the field and looking around, it seemed like Beaver, but.... not. There was no Beaver activity.

Is my old friend right, do you think, that some other critter has taken over an old (and Grand, I might add) Beaver lodge?

I have to say, standing there... looking at such an amazing place that an animal had made was humbling.

KGMom said...

Sounds like you need to live in Camelot--the rain will never fall 'til after sundown...

Gail said...

HEY GRIZZ-

Rain is predicted here some time after midnight and it suppose to keep on until Tuesday. It is 11:20 and no sign of rain yet. :-)


I so enjoy your life as it relates to the weather and all things nature :-)

Enjoy your Sunday - Gracey and I are going to keep it low key. The vet says it is not Lyme disease just a fatter jowl is all on one side. she is precious. We had a busy day outside playing and cleaning up the yard and deck and then a visit to my Mom's and Sister's for lunch. phew. :-)

No complaints here - rain or shine. Amen

Love to you
Gail
peace.....

Grizz………… said...

[FYI: Soon after putting up this post yesterday, I received a call from one of my wife's coworkers saying Myladylove had started feeling very bad and the rescue squad had been called to transport her to the hospital. Naturally, I was out of here in not more than a minute and on my way to meet them at the hospital's Emergency Unit. Upon arrival, Myladylove's heartrate was 130BPS, and her blood pressure was 180/110; she also had heart palpitations. They put her on monitors and began running various tests, trying to determine if it was a heart issue, possibly related to her recent potassium problems, or something else. Late yesterday afternoon, they admitted her to the hospital for an overnight stay. I didn't get back here until very late. The news is (at least as of last night) that it doesn't appear to be a heart problem, potassium levels are back to within normal range, and the consensus of opinion appears to be stress/anxiety. Good news, to my way of thinking. Guess we'll see what today brings. Isn't life amazing…]

Grizz………… said...

Rowan…

Actually, though the weather gurus say 100% chance of rain today. It is sunny right now with a cloudless blue sky.

After yesterday's ordeal standing and sitting, tense, worried…my back felt better when I was whacking stones.

Grizz………… said...

George…

I am, indeed…and comforted by both, along with wind and river—and faith.

Grizz………… said...

Jayne…

Mostly—usually—I like rain and rainy days. Yesterday was unusual for me. Presentient?

Grizz………… said...

Bernie…

Absolutely the right attitude—enjoy the days and times as they come, as best you can. And no, it doesn't get any better than that…

Grizz………… said...

Robin…

I will come and visit your place soon—I promise; and I'll let you know what I think.

Grizz………… said...

KGMom…

Rain after sundown is enjoyed best if it's falling on a tin roof, and the wind is soughing softly through the pines. But I generally enjoy rain—so long as it doesn't turn into a Somerset Maugham story.

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

Hey, a chubby-jowled pup is great news! Enjoy your rain and weekend. I'm doing all I can to do the same.

Gail said...

HI GRIZZ-

sending all good thoughts and healing energy to your 'ladylove'. and you too.

Love Gail
peace.....

The Weaver of Grass said...

Oh for the wings of a dove, Jim - if you manage to fly off let me know how you do it - I feel like that sometimes, too.

The Solitary Walker said...

It never rains but it pours. Hopefully there'll be sunnier skies tomorrow.

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

Thank you so much. I do appreciate it.

As it has turned out—I brought Myladylove home from the hospital late yesterday afternoon. All tests so far have proven negative. Later this week, they'll do a stress test and then put her on a monitor for about three weeks—one of those new tiny wireless units where, if you think you feel your heart doing something funny—skipping beats, palpitating, beating too fast, etc.—you push a button and the unit sends a report via your cell phone to a lab where it's evaluated and, if necessary, subsequently reported to your doctor.

At any rate, things are good at the moment. She can go back to work today if she wants. There doesn't seem to be heart issues involved…and the symptoms will most likely turn out to be stress/anxiety related. So all in all, good news.

Grizz………… said...

Weaver…

Escape is always an appealing plane…except then you have to decide what are you escaping from, and where are you escaping to, and by what means. Personally, I like to literally "head for the hills" of southeastern Ohio—or alternately, flee to the shores of Lake Superior. Somewhere wild and vast, anyway. Neither seems quite appropriate this time around.…

Grizz………… said...

Solitary…

Quite true…but we all need rain for growth, and need to remember that sunshine follows.

Rebecca said...

I have always loved the rain. I used to stand on the balcony and watched as the rain drew nearer. There was freshness in the air and one could detect rain from afar. Would don my raingear with the hood down, loved the feel of the rain on my face, feels like a cleansing.

If it pours, then it would be time to settle down in a corner with a book and a drink one can sip slooowly.

Love the sound of rain of on roof.

Hope all's with your ladylove, and I am sure sunshine will be out soon enough when it is done raining.

Rebecca

Grizz………… said...

Rebecca…

I love the rain, too. I can't tell you how many times I've spent a rainy day or two (or a rainy night) camped somewhere, listening to the drumming on my canvas or nylon roof, or the aluminum or fiberglass shell of my pickup's camper. Also in tiny cabins roofed with tin or cedar shakes. I love that feeling of snug security—to be warm and dry while around me the rain patters through leaves. It's a primordial happiness.

As a kid, I'd take one of Mom's quilts and sit in the big red glider on the front porch, watching the storms move in from the west, and the rain approaching in visible "sheets" through the field across from the house. Mom would let me stay out until I began getting wet, or the lightning came too close—and then I'd go and stand inside, looking out the screen door, feeling the wet wind on my face through the mesh.

A snug hideout, a good book, something to sip…that's a great scenario then and now, one of the very best!

And thank you, I'm sure there'll be sunshine to follow this rain.

Wanda..... said...

Health issues, past winter woes, physical labor, and dreary days in spring can give us all a big dose of stress and make us moody. Hope all these things clear up, especially for your Loved One.
...Wanda

Grizz………… said...

Wanda…

I think we're on the road to recovery (her) and better days (both of us). This is just typical life coming at you…nothing all that much different than in years past. But spring here along the river is lovely. And in spite of all that's been going on, we're both still enjoying the season.

George said...

Just checked in to see how your ladylove is doing. Glad to know that things are looking up. Maybe the rain has stopped as well.

Grizz………… said...

George…

She's doing okay—having gone off to work for a "President's Award" luncheon today, where she'll receive a snazzy watch to go with either five or six others she's won over the last half-dozen years. She scheduled for a stress test Tuesday, and has to wear one of those wireless monitors for 21 days starting Friday. But all the doctors think her problems—high blood pressures, fast heart rate, palpitations, etc.—were caused by anxiety. I guess that's good news, at least of a sort.

It is sunny, though cool, outside. Lovely, actually.

Thank you very much for your concern and note. I do appreciate it a lot.