Rainy Afternoon

Dear Friend,

Is there anything nicer than a quiet afternoon rain after a humid hot summer day?

The rain falls down, stiff and straight, in lines from the sky. Drops patter so consistently it sounds like music in the background, broken by the hiss of car tires on wet pavement. All other sounds are muted and soft, similar to the stillness of snow but more alive.

Rain breathes. Tree leaves rustle and quiver as water slides from their lowest points. The birds, hidden deep in the protective branches, sing out from the trees in staccato tones.

Are they worried? Maybe their neighbors are gossiping the rain away.

The wind is nice on a rainy day like this - not too cold and not too strong. Despite the steady rain, there is not so much humidity to make paper hard to write on. Light is soft and muted, on a day like this. Easy on the eyes.

The sky looks drab and dull but it's not. If you look close, you can see texture and layer to the clouds. I love the contrast of the rain-darkened skyline against the soft gray of the sky.

Everything is darker on a rainy day but have you noticed the richness in color? Tree bark blackens, leaves are shiny and bright, the ground darkens. Eventually, the rain will stop and the sun returns with its bright rays in the blue sky, making the wet darkness a striking contrast.

It's too late in the evening for a rainbow.

I don't mind.

Today is the perfect rainy day and I want to enjoy the cool, musical, magical moment. I could fetch a blanket and a book and sit on my porch.

I could.

But I'm going to think instead. While the whole atmosphere around me is muted and calm, I will venture into my imaginary world.

Calmly yours,
Heather

[Originally written June 18, 2021]