Monday, August 25, 2008


And Then The Rain Came

It came hurtling down, pounding the roof with a purpose, as if determined to erase the long drought in one afternoon. The birds took refuge in the generous magnolia tree, grateful for its leafy harbor, peering out through the fat emerald leaves at the torrent with curiosity, knowing that this was not a rain for splashing about in puddles. This was a rain for hiding away, watching from a safe distance. This was a serious, straight down rain, with worried skies and somber stillness. Even the thunder knew to hold his tongue, the lightning to still her fire. This was the rain’s performance, he ruled the day. On and on it came, as if from the depths of some unfathomable, vast lake high up behind the clouds, a cosmic lake whose dam had burst with its unending supply seemingly set to fall unhindered and relentless on our little garden alone, turning the stone pathways into rivers and bending the fir trees into submission to its drowned and infinite power. We listened, Edward and I, from our cozy spots with our good books and dry feet, cloistered within our softly lit sanctuary, as it poured on into the night, past tea time, past suppertime, past bedtime. We snuggled down a little deeper and were beholden, once again, to the stalwart bricks and mortar, the steadfast stone and wood standing strong and brave around us against the turbulent niagara outside our door. We said a prayer for those not so fortunate as we, and we slept.

Painting above:
"Rain, August in the Lake District 1898"
by Beatrix Potter

37 comments:

  1. I know some are having too much right now, but in upstate South Carolina, we're rejoicing that it finally rained hard today! Just for a little while, but the ground was so thirsty!
    Tanner and I sat and watched and listened. And then he took off through the doggy door and enjoyed a wild run through the backyard. (He's not as well behaved as Edward. Do you think Edward could give him manners lessons?)

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  2. Beautiful post, lovely words and such a perfect Potter painting to illustrate the mood. We have had such rains today, lost power twice, and no thunder nor lightning... it was rain's performance all right, thanks to Fay. Glad you were safe and we are, too.

    Blessings,
    Christi

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  3. greetings! I'm glad you made it safely through the storm (we just had Fay come through too) What a beautiful Beatrix Potter illustration I'm quite sure she was one of my first influences :)

    You have a beautiful blog, I can't wait to spend more time here!

    Cat

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  4. Sounds like our weather here.... It just rained buckets here yesterday. Cold enough for long sleeves, lap blankets and thick socks.

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  5. The sound of rain on a tin roof is meditation music to me. Could you spare just a little to fill our parched dams?

    I'm sure I've praised your prose before, it still twangs my heartstrings.

    That lovely Beatrix Potter painting had not come my way before, thank you for sharing.

    As a child I flew with wild geese with Niels Holgerson on their migration across Sweden. Before the fire I had Konrad Laurenz's book on their behaviour. Now, in South Australia, I can only dream about them. Again, thank you.

    My love to the knowing Edward.

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  6. Oh I do love the Beatrix Potter painting you have used for this entry. I love its melancholy which is so extreme that it comforts. I suppose only people who love the rain will understand that statement. I think those are special moments when you can sit and listen to the rain tap on your rooftop or tick at your windowpane. I find a rainy day inspiring. It helps me to see my home through a different light.

    Thank you for a beautiful post!

    Hugs ~
    Heidi

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  7. I remember rains like this. I haven't seen one in years. What a beautiful portrayal.

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  8. I love the rain here in England. Very soft and gentle. I almost want to go out without an umbrella...

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  9. Dearest..Thank you for this lovely post,and I did not know this painting from Miss Potter!Lovely choise of words ,as always..
    The rain has stopt his performance at the Hilltop..it was about time!Hope we get some last Summer sunlight..

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  10. Lovely. Beautifully written and one of my favourite things ... rain is. Especially when tucked safe and snug with a much loved dog curled up beside me and a good book. Heaven.

    Winnie sends a woof and a wink to Edward. xo, S.

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  11. How we could desperately use some of that rain...We've been teased with dark clouds and faint rumblings but alas, nothing brought to fruition....

    That's a beautiful Potter you have up for this post. Pamela, your writing always brings such warmth and evokes the most wonderous visuals...I so love visiting The House of Edward....

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  12. A very appropriate post for me, as in true Bank Holiday style, it has been pouring with rain here for the past two days so nothing much has changed since August 1898.
    I am sitting warm and cosy with dogs Jasper and Max at the moment but am about don wellies and waterproofs and brave the rain!

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  13. And does the earth look greener today? Now that the storm has passed and renewed the parched landscape there should be signs of Mother Nature's plan.
    And I bet Edward has sniffed the grass with abandon finding signs of new life.
    Susan

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  14. What a beautiful way to describe you and Edward snuggled up and protected from life's elements.

    Thank you for calling Sunbonnet Cottage charming. That meant a lot to me.

    Melissa

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  15. Pamela,
    What a lovely picture you painted with words....we, in the lower south, are so thankful for the precious drops of rain to the parched earth...

    Gosh, that Edward looks so distinguished!

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  16. Oh, I love Beatrix Potter! Wonderful post!

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  17. So poetically written. What a feeling to be cosy warm and dry while outside the sheets of rain cascade. Your post is the story of my summer, as it has been the rainiest summer on record here.

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  18. This Potter passage is wonderful!

    I absolutely love "I Know Where I'm Going" and posted on it some time back!! It's one of my faves! Here's the link:

    http://willowmanor.blogspot.com/2008/04/i-know-where-im-going.html

    Love your new look!

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  19. The painting is just lovely! How beautiful. Rain is so restful at times.

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  20. And how grateful we are for the rain! If only we could stay indoors to enjoy it. I normally hate rainy days but having lived with the drought for so long, I have been happy to have the gray weather and I have tried especially hard not to complain about its effects on my hair!

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  21. This was a joy to read and so beautifully written. It made me actually look forward to a rainy day, as we have not have one for awhile, although the sky has been overcast with heavy clouds for many days

    I love the Beatrix Potter illustration! So perfect!

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  22. Simply stunning, just knew that was the work of Beatrix Potter. One day, I would love to visit the Lake area. She is my one of my mentors.

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  23. I really like your writing, and your writing style.. You have a gift, and you evoke gentle,cozy pictures and emotions,but that somehow go deep, and all seems well with the world...

    I am glad I found your blog.. Your blog has a distinct style!

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  24. Oh your post is fab.....I was there in the rain storm your words are so discriptive, I could feel the strength of the elements...I loved it, and the BP picture well... just perfect!! I love her too, we live near the lake District and we just adore Hill Top Farm, the walking up there is unreal.
    Have a lovely week.
    Hugs Lynn xx

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  25. August in the Lake District; July in the Lake District; June in the Lake District.....
    Lovely bit of writing.

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  26. What a wonderful piece of writing - how I wish I could write half as well, I was there with you and Edward in your sactuary watching the watery scene enfold. Love the painting too, how talented Beatrix Potter was.

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  27. I'm not in the Lake District however my garden this morning is mighty wet!! Lovely rain also coming down here....and needed so badly.
    Hope you are starting to dry out some - too much of a good thing can get very muddy can't it? Bet Edwards paws are suffering!

    Stay safe - enjoy what Nature sends your way.
    Hugs - Mary.

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  28. Just popt in to say i love the "new look"..

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  29. Hi, thanks for adding my blog to your list, I will do likewise. I enjoyed the piece of writing about the rain, she wrote such a wonderful description didn't she? Also love the thirties style illustrations, they remind me of Little Grey rabbit's house as painted by Margaret Tempest.

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  30. willow & acorn moon,
    At the risk of sounding bumptious...I humbly say that is was I who wrote the passage about the rain. Dear, wonderful Beatrix painted the evocative picture.

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  31. Love the new look ! thanks so much for the understanding words.

    xo, S & Miss Dixon.

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  32. Oh I just love a rain like that sometimes. When you have a cozy spot and a good book and a warm place to watch it from, then you know you are truly blessed.

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  33. A ever, a beautiful piece of writing Pamela. I love the rain when it really buckets down like stair rods. But of course in Ireland, we have had rather too much of it this summer and it's often that creeping, cloying misty drizzle.
    Gorgeous painting, too. I'd like it on my wall!
    BT
    x

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  34. Hi Pamela ( and Edward of course!),
    That was a refreshing break from the little heat wave we are experiencing in SF. I much prefer your weather to mine right now.
    Lisa & Alfie

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  35. I've heard that there was a drought in parts of the states. I hope this rains goes a way towards replenishing the soil and rivers.

    :-) Yes the best place to be in heavy rain is inside watching it. When I was staying in Bantry Bay, Ireland rain suddenly hit the conservatory roof I thought the roof has fallen in. Earing cringing noise! Hope Edward was ok with it. A couple of my hounds are scared of any loud noises they can't explain.

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  36. As usual the first thing I spotted was the brilliant illustration, then I saw it was of course by the marvellous Beatrix Potter. how beautifully you describe the downpouring - I am glad you were all safe and warm inside.

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  37. Your passage of writing describes perfectly the storm we experienced during early morning here on Sunday with enormous claps of thunder, strikes of lightning and flash floods in the garden. The storm moved on fairly swiftly, leaving behind it a cloudy but dry day. August has been the wettest month for many years over here in the UK. x

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!