Rolling Thunder
Recently, we have been having lots of strong afternoon thunderstorms. The days have been very warm, and usually sunny. And then, late in the afternoon, the humidity goes up and you can feel the storms coming.
The other day, I was cooking in the kitchen, and felt more than saw the weather begin to change. Since I was working at my own pace, and in no real hurry, I decided to sit on my back porch and watch the rain come through. The wind picked up, and the temperature slowly dropped. The sky darkened, and the rain started coming down in sheets.
The wind blew the rain first one way, then another. I kept my chair set at the back wall, off the porch far enough that I could watch and not get drenched.
Except, of course, for when I realized that the sprinkler was still running, so I ran into the storm to turn it off. This was not my brightest moment, but it seemed smarter than continuing to water the plants while they were being deluged.
Watching the rain come and go is peaceful. The birds are not put off by the storms at all, and they seem excited about the worms that emerge. It feels a bit lazy to enjoy watching the weather, dare I say, watching the grass grow. But it is a lovely indulgence.
And yet another reason I am so enjoying my retirement. In the before times, I would probably have been stressed out about needing to leave one place in time to reach another place; worrying about the traffic, possibly flooded roads, ruining my clothes, and being late. Now, with usually no particular place to go by any particular time, I am free to simply appreciate the moment. Just relax, and breathe. Savor nature at its best by my back door.
And I do.