Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Refreshing Rain

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing,
wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating;
there is really no such thing as bad weather,
only different kinds of good weather.
-John Ruskin

I love the weather. I like the unpredictability of waking each day not knowing what the atmosphere has planned. It amused me, when I was a news reporter, how seriously everyone takes the weather. I recall being on assignment during the beginning of the war - before Baghdad was taken and Saddam fell - and being redirected from a soldier's family gathering to the shoulder of a rush-hour freeway. Why? It was hailing. And hail affects more people. And people would change the channel if we weren't talking about rain and hail during rush hour.

But I still like the weather.

It's been raining here for days and days. In Texas, we call that answered prayer. Come July, nearly every church marquee you pass says, simply: "Pray for rain". And we do. When wells dry up and city folks start getting brown, grainy water out of the faucet, we join hands and bow heads and ask God to break open the heavens and pour out His wet blessings. And He does. Maybe not right then, but He does.

This is the view out the front door of Freeman House this morning. Dark. Damp. Beautiful. I wish the yard boys could come. It's looking like Little House on the Prairie out there. Hmm. Over that fence, old Mr. Lumpkin's (God rest his soul) grape vines are doing well. Soon the birds will be dropping their grape bombs on our cars and roofs.

I had a half-dozen things I wanted to show you today. A new spring platter from our town's tiny pottery studio. The hand-stamped genius of my friend Lisa. A (made-me-cry) friendship garden and flower package I got in the mail this week from Sue. (Sue, you are a precious, precious woman. Thank you!) But, alas, it's so dim in this old house that the pictures don't do anything justice. Plus, they require a stronger prescription to actually see anything. So I'll make my "look what I got" presentation another day, I suppose.

In the meantime, I'm going to pour another cup of coffee, settle into my cushy chair, and finish up the handwork on a new apron. Oh, and listen to the "refreshing" rain fall. I'm going to memorize that pat-pat-pitterpat-pat rhythm of the rain bouncing off the roof.

Come summer, I'll be praying for it.

11 comments:

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Brin, we could really use some of that rain right now. It's getting hot & dry in AL, with only a few showers here & there, so I wish the heavens would open up here for a few days. I'd love to see a pic of Freeman House itself..do you have any of those around, the outside of the house. If you've posted one before, I probably missed it.

LOL, thanks for playing along with me on the adopted niece thing. I just think you're such a creative gal & would love to hang out with you. I so admire your love for the Lord too...that's awesome! Not all 20-somethings are so grounded, myself included at your age.

Best,
Rhoda (Auntie)
Southern Hospitality

Unknown said...

Me too, Brin we just have to see a photo of Freeman house!!! I'm so glad you got the garden goodies, I tried to picture each seed choice growing in your garden, and I thought the red,white and blue seeds would be perfect for the 4th of July and a photo opp! lol We too are getting the rain, always welcomed and like you, wish it would come in July or Aug. when needed more, but we take it when we get it, a gift indeed! I love the rain photo and had no idea it looked so green there, you think of Texas as being brown and dry, the parts I've been through anyway! Your So welcome for the goodies, it was my pleasure! Got to pass along the green! Hugs!!

~~Mikki Jo said...

It's raining here now, and I believe when I get done here I'm going to the cabin to enjoy the "good" rainy weather. Peaceful quiet, sounds really good. Your posts are always very inspirational, thanks for sharing yourself with us. Blessings to you and big hugs!

Mrs. Jones said...

I feel as though I am there right now. I love rain too. I saw your blog at Southern Hospitality, and I really love it!

Suzanne said...

Hi Brin~
I followed you from Rhoda's too!, and so glad I tagged along. I love your blog. Lots of fun posts and your devotions on Mondays will be a wonderful way to start the week.

My parents live in east TX and I graduated from ETBU. Most of my family still lives "somewhere in TX,(big state!).. and I'm the only defector now living in Idaho.

....and I'm voting along with everyone else, I would love to see photos of Freeman House too!

Stay dry,

Suzanne

Lana Manis said...

I was referred to your site by my friend, Suzanne, who just posted before me. I am so glad she had me visit your blog. I'd love to see the House too!

Take Care & God Bless,
Lana

Southern Heart said...

Brin, I loved this post. I love the rain, too (and the sun, and the snow...all of it...), and am fascinated just by the change of mood it creates.

Delightful post!

Andrea

Deb said...

Thanks for your kind words on my blog.
When I seen your post I thought of the song Healing Rain by Micheal W Smith. Rain is refreashing you are so right.

Diane Duda said...

You are right...all weather is good. SW Pennsylvania is a great four-seasons place to live. Just the right amount of everything.

Your bathroom is looking lovely. We are in our third year of our bathroom remodel! Still just almost done. We installed an old clawfoot tub about a year ago (although we purchased it when we moved in 11 years ago). I think I've only taken two showers since then. I'm a bath girl all the way. :)

Lana Manis said...

It's me again Brin ~ thank you for the wonderful comments on my blog! I hope you don't mind... I added you to my favorites list.

Lana

Betty said...

Brin, It was so refreshing reading this post about raim. In south Georgia we are so in need of rain. Our famers are having to irrigate just to get the seed to sprout and the wild fires are still raging out of control.

We are having prayer services just pleading for rain if it's the good Lord's will....