Today has been an interesting, albeit mostly wet, weather day. If I had been in the house, I doubt I would have picked up on the subtleties of these weather changes. I would’ve just thought, “Rainy day” and left it at that.
But sitting in the RV, where the first patters of rain on the roof are instantly noticeable, patterns become more distinct. The large windows nearest where I often sit also offer a front row seat to the action, being only feet from the nearest trees.
This particular rainy day pattern caught my attention before I even got out of bed.
I had been listening to raindrops on the roof just minutes before – having enjoyed waking to the sound of the light rain from the warmth of my cozy bed.
Opening my eyes, but not wanting to disturb the silky lump of sleeping fur pressed tightly to my side, I had reached carefully out to slide the shade up on the big window by the bed, enjoying the moment as the rain stuttered to a stop and all was silent and peaceful in my world.
It was then I first noticed the total stillness of the glistening, wet leaves outside my [RV] bedroom window. It was almost unearthly still, like a painting, even though it had been raining only minutes before. Not a leaf moved. It was as if the world had paused mid-breath.
I lay there, eyes searching in surprise for even one quivering leaf, when a sudden gust brought all the leaves back to dancing life.
As I sat up in bed, causing Ronni to groan and burrow deeper under the covers, the first fresh plop of rain landed, followed in quick succession by its cohorts. Plop, plop, plop.
Leaves continued to dance as the light patter picked up … a sprinkling of rain. Pause (silence, the breeze falling off), then the patter began anew. Patters increased, building to a drumming rain, then it POURED for a couple of heartbeats, then dropped back to patter, patter … and silence.
Repeat.
This periodic silence, then breeze and sprinkles, building to a pounding cloudburst, then quickly dropping back to sprinkles followed by a waiting stillness, repeated itself all morning and into the afternoon.
Rhonda was happy to join me once I turned the thermostat up to what she considered tolerable. We had breakfast together and watched storm clouds scudding by, dropping their periodic wet payloads from the comfort and warmth of the motorhome.
I was extra happy for my mug of hot coffee and toasty lap-warmer (both the fluffy dachshund-print quilt and the real dachshund under it) on such a blustery day.
It seemed a perfect day to sit and spin, letting the sounds of nature provide a counterpoint to the steady treadle-beat of my spinning wheel, pausing occasionally to marvel alternately at the quiet of the damp woods or the fierceness of the pounding rain.
Spinning in the [relative] quiet of the motorhome has been one of my special joys, whether on the road or parked in my own front yard. Today has been particularly interesting, as I witnessed each small but lively storm-front pass by.
Rhonda doesn’t seem the least bit fazed by the sometimes really loud rain on the fiberglass roof. As long as she has a chew-toy and/or a lap, she’s a happy camper.
Then again, have you ever tried to spin with a dog in your lap? It’s an acquired skill and not as easy as it might look.
Oh! And she’s happy as long as I time her potty breaks for in between the bouts of rain. 😉
Happily, as the afternoon has drawn on, the breeze has picked up and the clouds are now drifting off over the mountains. Patches of very welcome blue sky have burst through the gloom, and yes, there is sunshine sparkling off the still wet leaves.
There is plenty of day left to enjoy, so I guess I’ll stop here and go be about it! Have an awesome day, whatever Mother Nature brings your way.
De & the Dachsies - Our Rambles 