View from my window on a rainy day.

Finally, we are blessed with rainy weather in Southern California! It’s such a nice change from the sunshine and heat. Not only is it pretty to look at an overcast, cloudy sky, but the air feels and smells more fresh too.

What is also great about rainy days in Southern California is that you get to see people genuinely upset by the rain. Desperately clinging to their umbrellas at the hint of a sprinkle. Turning on their windshield wipers to maximum speed. Bundled up in rarely-worn winter wear. Saying things like, “we PAY to live where it’s sunny” or “oh, this terrible weather” or “it’s so gloomy.”

Even our Saint Bernard, Buttercup, has become a weakling version of what a hearty mountain dog should be. She panics when it rains and tries to bury herself under the boat trailer in the garage when it’s stormy. Now she’s on a hunger strike; refusing to eat her gourmet boiled chicken/kibble blend – what a high maintenance California girl!

Today, I chose to eat my lunch on the office balcony to enjoy the crisp, fresh air (mind you it’s only 62°) and a colleague peeked their head outside saying, “Only a girl with Norwegian blood would sit outside on a day like this.” Another coworker complimented me on my puffy wool sweater/cardigan, “It looks like a professional woman’s Snuggie”. Funny people.

When I visit family and friends in Washington, I would be scorned if I complained about the weather. Or overly-relied on an umbrella. It’s not good form for a rugged outdoors-woman. So I will continue to welcome and praise the rain. It will be gone all too soon.

Here is a poem by American poet James William Miller about the awesomeness of rain – “To a Shower”. Thank you Google Books!

Final verse:

As a blessing sinks in a grateful heart,
That knoweth all its need,
So came the good of the pleasant rain,
O’er hill and verdant mead.
It will breathe this truth on the human ear,
In hall and cotter’s home,
That to bring the gift of a bounteous Heaven,
The pleasant rain hath come.

James William Miller | “To a Shower” Poem
The Poets and Poetry of America | Published 1842 |
Courtesy of Google Books

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Categories: Orange County, Outdoors, PNW, Poetry | 2 Comments »