I love the luxury of other. A pool-ball click to change your track and send you sprawling, groundless into unhewn ground.
So it is for me with rain since living in Provence, the sunny South of France, where folks flock from around the world just to soak in a nearly 365 big bolt of blue. Can you imagine that it can be tiresome to have that same ceiling perpetually overhead, no matter how stunning the view? It can.
And so I delighted in wrapping myself in a rain shroud during our recent trip to the safari tent. Up in the mountains where air can fog to trip up and fall down. We had just returned from a hike where at one point we were so deep in the woods that I was awaiting to bubble pop into Narnia, when the skies thundered an announcement over the PA that we would not, actually, be straying from the tent at any point today save for two highly ambitious hoverings over the barbecue.
Droplets pelted the tent roof like clacking typewriter keys, writing new stories.
It was such a climate shift that I felt a little lost and nearly nervous. So I just listened. And watched. Until I started to enjoy this land-fall swimming enough to turn Automatic Pilot off with a mindful fingernail flick.
There is freedom in such pounding rain when you have no where that you have to go and no how that you have to be.
Just to listen to rough music, so sweet to the mind.
Mes sincères remerciements to the exceptionally talented:
and
for inspiring me in general and today’s post in particular.
As I read this post and listen to your rain recording, we are having Fall's first storm, right on time, and the rain sounds coming through my open window match those on your recording. As Portland has dry (sometimes totally) summers, the sound, smell and sight of the rain are welcome and wonderful! How lovely that you got to enjoy all that from your dry tent-home. Our dogs too are energized by the abatement of the heat and the release of the humidity. Greenly, Leslie in Oregon
Yep, that is it–exactly!!!
All of that green, Judith! It felt so rich and yes, the scent was divine…I imagine that some smart perfumer probably has bottled it…
xo
I hear ya! Somedays I pray for rain or at least a dull grey sky because that's when I can be lazy and cuddle up on the couch. You can't cuddle up and do nothing when the sky is bright blue with birds chirping in it, it's wrong. x.
Isn't it amazing how tiresome day after day of sunny skies can be. Really, I'm serious! I need a little rain once in a while to break things up — even here in the soggy Northeast. And, of course, I'm a sucker for all that green. And the smell after a good rain can be heavenly too. Wish we could bottle it.
*swoon*
Of course, I had to immediately stop what I was doing to get up and put that on. And if Chet isn't the audio essence of what you were writing about, then I don't know what is…
Oh neither of us are entirely in this time, are we George? One foot here, one foot there, just like poor, beautiful Chet.
Bisous right back,
H
Thank you, Mumbai. Oh the dogs were so excited, they loved every minute. More in a post (hopefully) soon…
I grew up with all different sorts of weather and really prefer it, even if it isn't always "perfect."
Whaaaat??? Really? Please do! And if you ever decide to, please email me (address is on my profile) and I will give you helpful suggestions. 🙂
It really is a city that is on the move. The next few years will be very exciting here.
Oh my gosh, that made me giggle. Nope, no moving yet. But it is rare indeed such rain in Arles so it did feel like quenching a thirst.
xo
H
Deborah, I promise you that it was JUST what the doctor ordered.
Isn't that just the best? Sigh. I love it.
I don't want to sound as though I am complaining, dear Greet but change is always good! Just like the stunning decor that you created for your Sister's study that I keep thinking about…
Oh by all means no, dear Suze. Your description of the rain arriving…whew. Chapeau à toi! (And you just say 'chapeau' because you are so blown away there is no need for a verb 🙂 So very happy to know of you. I have learned so much and laughed quite a bit too…
Who knows Edgar, maybe he wrote a sonata based on something similar?
Already? 😉 I bet you must have some gorgeous skies in between the storms…
You are SO right about that EE. And yep, this is a permanent structure. All we have to do is show up and enjoy!
So be it! I certainly don't shy away from being considered odd anymore, I like what I like!
Boy do you make the rain look beautiful and seductive.
As Chet Baker would say, 'let's get lost.'
Let's get lost in the rain.
Bisous,
G
I can't believe that you have the same rain experience in the Provence as I have in the
tropics. A well acquainted sound when I listen to your rough music. Anyway your trip sounds very adventurous at least for the dogs? … and every day blue sky…who need it?
Beautiful shots too, Heather.
I was in Arles last week and think I will move there!
Honestly, when I opened your post and saw the gloomy photo, I wondered if I had the right post or if you had moved from Arles. Such a surprise to see anything but sun and blue sky. So glad you had the luxury of staying indoors and enjoying the downpour. There is nothing quite like a good rain after months of dry weather.
As usual, you paint vivid word pictures, so we get the full visual! Rain while on holidays can be a pain, but if it is a change, and forces you to sit still and take it all in, what better way to slow yourself down and relax? Good book weather!
Cheers,
Deborah from Melbourne.
I can just imagine it now… Spectacular! I love the rain when I'm cosied up somewhere with nowhere to be…
Clare x
Beautiful pictures Heather! Oh yes I can imagine that sometimes it is tiresome to have that same blue ceiling all the time!
xx
Greet
Heather, this was nourishing and lovely. How do you say, 'I tip my hat' in French? Je … chapeau? 🙂
One movement sonata written on the leaves Beethoven may envy. A rare variation of the blue sky Provence.
I love the leaf with raindrops on the circular edge.
Your safari tent sounds like the perfect place to wait out the rain Heather.
We are used to perpetual sunny skies in Santa Fe also, but have received torrents of rain over the past week. The sound on your video is now very familiar to me. As exciting as it is to have these downpours, I think I'm ready for some blue skies again!
"Variety is the spice of life", even when it comes to the weather. However, timing is everything – putting up or taking down a tent in the wet is not my idea of fun………..It appears that you weren't faced with that horrible task. Bisous
We all get tired of the status quo – whether it's the sun or the rain. I love grey skies and pelting rain but most people think that i am a little bit strange. So be it.
Do you remember my telling you that I don't know if I could live in Seattle because of the rain? And yet, that day was like one long cool drink of water after so much sun. Jeanne, I think that you in particuar might appreciate Suze's post–she just moved to your area and is discovering it from a desert rat's point of view!
Ooh, that is a fine compliment Karin!
Bisous to you and scratchies to Mr. Oskar,
H
A weekend in a safari tent, how cozy! It looks like the Pacific Northwest. We get so much rain and gray here that I always long for sun. But having weather and seasons is one of the reasons we live here. I'd probably miss the rain if suddenly we had Provence-ish weather. I'll remember this post the next time I curse our soggy weather. XO
Love your pictures, dear Heather! Nothing can beat "natural" raindrops…..
Although it's raining cats and dogs here in the Périgord, since days….your post lifts me up!!!
xxxk