I love rain. Rainy days make me feel like nesting. Maybe that’s because God is taking care of my watering chores, and when I have seeds sown and new plants getting established, I especially appreciate the help that a good soaking rain gives them. Rainy days give this gardener time to catch up on a little housework. I’ll open a few windows, light a scented candle, and do some chores that have been neglected.
Simple Pleasures
Simple Pleasures, for me, are things that are readily available to most everyone, for free or close to it. Being able to identify and appreciate simple pleasures goes a long way towards leading a happy life.
Cares Float Away Like Bubbles
When my kids were little, I used to sit on the porch with them and blow bubbles. You’d think they’d pop right away, but the opposite was true. They lasted even longer and we watched them float out into the rain, reflecting opalescent light on their way. We’d see how many bubbles we could get going with all three of us blowing as quickly as we could. It was a relaxing way to enjoy the weather with the kids.
A Spring Break to Remember
Once, when we lived on the coast, my sister came to visit for Spring Break, bringing her young son. I think mine were about six and two, so her’s would’ve been about four. Down there on the coast we occasionally got tropical depressions that would bring 10-11″ of rain in a day, and that happened soon after she arrived. We lived in a small canal house at the time, so we were stuck in the house with three small children all day while the rain poured. At the end of the day the rain let up a little bit and we were able to have a pizza delivered. That was the highlight, I think, of her visit.
Puddle Fun
When heavy rains left puddles, I let our kids go out and run through them. They had fun running, splashing, and laughing. I enjoyed watching them, and I still enjoy those memories.
For the Love of Porches
I’ve always had to have a porch where I could take a drink (or maybe some bubbles), sit and relax, and listen to the rain’s “music.” I also love the aroma of the air. Being able to open some windows while it’s raining is something else that’s important to me. I’ve kept those things in mind while shopping for new homes. I inherited the love of porches from my mother.
When Enough’s Enough
Now I live on a hill in the Ozark “mountains.” I don’t have to worry about flooding at my home, but we have a lot of “low water crossings” that can flood and make it difficult to get around. At times it’s very difficult to get to town.
We average such a flood about once or twice per year. When the rain lets up, we usually drive down to the bridges to see how high the water is. During the worst of them, there is often a lot of debris floating down the creek-turned-river. Several years ago, during one such flood, a lot of cattle got swept downstream. We were at the bridge and the water had risen quickly, stranding some motorists on the far side who had to wait for the water to recede. Along with them was a tired cow that had pulled itself from the flood waters.
When we moved to the Ozarks, “low water crossings” were new to me. I was nervous to cross them when they had a little water over them. Learning to tell how much is too much is an important skill around here. They are the first areas to flood.
The Ozarks have a lot of creeks and springs. The springs become more noticeable after heavy rain.
I started writing this post a few days ago during a torrential downpour. At one point we lost our internet due to flooding. That’s where I draw the line. (LOL!) I’d had enough. Luckily, it wasn’t off for too long.
Back to the Porch
Our ducks and geese seemed to enjoy the rainy day, too. They all waddled happily around the yard.
My preference is to enjoy rain at home, watching it water my gardens. Sometimes I’m even blessed to see a beautiful rainbow, reminding me of God’s promise.
Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”
And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” Genesis 9:8-16
You can’t have rainbows without rain.
It doesn’t cost a thing to slow down and enjoy a rainy day. It’s another of my simple pleasures.
[tweetthis display_mode=”box”]”I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.” Genesis 9:13[/tweetthis]
More Simple Pleasures
Comments
I was just thinking how grateful I am that it is raining so that I can get caught up on housework without feeling bad about not working outside during the sun shine…no sun, no problem! I’ve got a lot of cleaning to do, so here’s hoping the kids cooperate and keep everything neat while I straighten up. (They help when they can, but they’re young…).
We don’t get flooding like that here, but the water always flows heavily on rainy days, and we can see it easily in the creek that runs through our yard…it’s the kids’ favorite time to play outside!
Author
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I’m glad you’re enjoying the spring rain in similar ways. I know I’m not the only one!
“You can’t have rainbows without rain.” That’s so true! All life will have rain but it make the rainbows even more beautiful, doesn’t it? Sorry you lost internet, that’s where I would draw the line too!
We live on a hilltop and don’t have much of a standing water problem, though we do deal with erosion! I had to laugh at your story of the cow on the wrong side of the water crossing, we have cow visitors quite often here. Who knew they had such a yearning for travel?
Author
I love being on a hilltop so I don’t have to worry about flooding, but the flip-side is that we get hit by lightning quite frequently and then lose our internet from that. Oh well, that’s country life, I suppose. I’m thankful to have it at all.
We’re having a rainy day here, too, but I have yet to see an awesome rainbow like the one you showed!
Author
That one wasn’t from today. It was a picture I had taken awhile back. Rainbows are hard to capture!
I too love the occasional rainy day. It has such a calming effect on the soul. Sometimes rain is just the thing to help us slow down and see what’s been set aside maybe for too long.
Author
What a great comment! I don’t think you get nearly enough rain where you live, so you probably relish it even more.
We live in a very sandy area and we’re on a bit of a hill, so I don’t mind rain as much as I have in the past. Still can’t say it’s my favorite kind of weather, but after the rain, yes, I love the smell, and how clean everything is! You have some beautiful pictures… Love your yard!
Author
Thanks, Deborah! I appreciate you stopping by and commenting. I’m glad you don’t mind the rain too much. 🙂
Beautifully written. We live in the Ozarks, also. In Springdale. We are anticipating 6+ inches tomorrow and Saturday. Hopefully, your low water bridges will not become too high to navigate. Looks like you will have a couple of days to sit on your porch and enjoy the rain.
Author
Thank you! Yes, my brother-in-law was just telling us about that forecast this evening. I hadn’t heard it. Since we just had a bunch of rain, it won’t take as much to start more flooding. We’ll see if they’re right.
We LOVE rainy days, mostly because we hardly get any living in San Diego. And our plants love the rain, everything gets so green and lush after the rain. A rainy day does help you calm down and just reflect on things a bit. Sure wish we had more of them here. Unfortunately our rain is pretty much over for the year and we have to turn on the sprinklers once again. Oh well, we are still thankful for the many sunny and beautiful days though. 🙂
Author
Before we moved here, I actually checked the annual rainfall. I didn’t want to live anywhere too dry. I’m sure you have beautiful weather there, too. I’ve never gotten to visit.
I love the view from your porch! You have some spectacular scenery.
🙂 gwingal
Author
Well, thank you! I agree. I love all of the greenery. (Can you tell it’s my favorite color?) Thanks for stopping by!
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