“Nothing reminds us of an awakening more than rain.”
I venture to say today is a bit cooler than we’ve been used to of late. It is only 69˚. The rain clouds are back and there is a breeze, from the north, seldom a good sign. My house is dark.
Today I have a few errands and Gracie gets to come with me. Her waiting in her crate days while I venture out are nearly over. In the cold of winter, she gets to ride just about everywhere as I don’t mind leaving her in the car. Next week Gracie has her older dog vet visit. That comes six months after her well-dog visit. She’ll have blood tests and a general physical. I hope all will be well.
It has just started raining.
I loved my old elementary school classrooms when it was raining. The ceilings were high and the windows facing the schoolyard reached to the ceiling. Watching the raindrops on the windows was somehow mesmerizing. They’d hit the window then roll down and finally disappear. The sound of the rain filled the room, and we always seemed a bit quieter on rainy days. The classroom lights hung down on long wires, and even though they were lit, the room always seemed a little dark. The crafty teachers placed the desks so our backs were to the big windows, but the side windows could be seen from anywhere. The view was of trees and shrubs and a house close to the school, separated only by a fence and the drive-way size entrance to the school yard. The back door of the school faced that little road. I sometimes slipped out that door at the end of school to avoid the crowds exiting the main door. The nuns didn’t care. Once the end of school bell was rung we were on our own.
I always got soaked walking home from school in the rain. My feet would squish in my shoes, my clothes got wet and my hair dripped. I never carried an umbrella. I was never the umbrella type. But getting soaked felt liberating in a way though I wouldn’t have known that word back then, but that’s what it was. I didn’t have a choice but to walk so it was like having permission to be wet even in my school clothes. Sometimes I’d hold out both my arms and raise my face to the rain. I’d close my eyes so I could feel the drops on my face. I know I fell in love with rain on those walks home.
Explore posts in the same categories: MusingsTags: Gracie, huge windows, raindrops, raining
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September 5, 2013 at 12:01 pm
Thanks Kat for reminding me what rain feels like 🙂 Maybe we will actually experience cool wet weather before Thanksgiving.
My high school was built in the 1920s and had the large, tall double hung windows like your school. What I most remember about those rainy days was the smell of the humidity in that building. In the spring and fall the windows had to be opened for ventilation since the school was not air-conditioned. That musty humid odor still reminds me of that old building.
We only take our dogs in for checkups once a year. When they have reached old age the vet has never discovered anything wrong with them until they became very ill quickly and then died within a few days. Hopefully the vet will find Gracie in great health.
September 5, 2013 at 12:10 pm
Bob,
You know I always hope you have rain-I’d even be willing to share if I could!
My school had been built in 1911, and, as you know, few around here have air-conditioning. It is too expensive for the few days it would be needed. That school smelled of wood, a pleasant smell. It had cloakrooms outside each classroom. It was a great looking school inside.
Boxers have an 8-10 year old life span. My last two were 8 when they died. Gracie will be 8 in November so I’l be cautious. My other dogs were, as you described, quickly sick. I think maybe that they would have saved one of the dogs if her illness had been found early enough, but not Shauna who had cancer.
When Gracie had her well-dog visit last March, the vet told me to keep doing what I’m doing as she is in great health and looks great. That’s what I’m hoping and thanks for your hopes too.
September 5, 2013 at 12:54 pm
There must have been some kind of standard when they buolt schhol back in the days, You could have described myne that way too 🙂
I almost always had a window place in school and since we stayed three years in the same classroom we rarely changed places. My view was over the scool yard and the gymnasium. I could see a tiny bit of the road outside the school too but nothing much happened there. I tended to fall asleep on rainy days if the subjects we had were boring 🙂
Almost summer here again and I like it. But the fog was so thick this morning that I had to wind down the door sindow so I could hear if another car was comiming 🙂 People tend to drive just as fast even if they can’t see the road.
Have a great day!
Christer.
September 5, 2013 at 2:14 pm
Christer,
You’re right as the old town high school looked pretty much the same only longer needing more rooms than an elementary school.
Still cold here, 66˚, and they’re saying the 40’s tonight. Yikes!!
September 5, 2013 at 3:08 pm
Up to 75 during the day and it has already fallen to just above 50 here now. I doubt we’ll get frost though but probably thick fog tomorrow morning.
September 5, 2013 at 3:25 pm
Christer,
You were warmer than here today!
September 5, 2013 at 1:11 pm
Sunny 90˚F today, absolutely no rain, summer has returned once again 🙂
I hardly use an umbrella, but I did here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCrycsTDKJw
Bad sound and probably one of the most unnoticed flashmobs ever, but it really started raining after we finished the song. Raindrops, not men.
September 5, 2013 at 2:19 pm
Birgit,
It is my fervent wish that a flashmob happens upon some place I am. I was sorry the sound wasn’t better, but I liked the umbrellas.
I had to close the window behind me as it was getting too chilly. They’re saying a cold night tonight!
September 5, 2013 at 2:23 pm
“Last Tango in Halifax”
I wanted to alert you that beginning on Sunday September 8th, PBS will begin showing the BBC Series “Last Tango in Halifax” based on the true story of two pensioners who were reunited through a social media site. It is based on the true story of the author’s mother and it is well worth your time.
Through the wonders of an all region DVD player I have been lucky enough to see Derek Jacobi and Anne Reed charm as Alan and Celia. So settle in on Sunday or roll your DVR or do whatever you do to catch up.
And even im6 is committed to watch this – it is just plain wonderful
September 5, 2013 at 2:34 pm
My Dear Hedley,
I have set up a series recording so I too am on board to watch.
I have asked my sister for an all region DVD player for Christmas. It is something I have wanted and just haven’t bought. I need a few more electronics like a new computer so the DVD player has been low on the list.
September 5, 2013 at 2:47 pm
Kat
Hope that you get one.
Aside from obvious pleasures from the old country such as Downton, I have been able to wander down all sorts of side alleys from “Colditz” to “Not going out” , “Case Histories” , “Death in Paradise”…….you get the general picture.
“Foyles War 7” and “Peep Show” are waiting for my attention.
September 5, 2013 at 2:55 pm
MDH,
My sister always comes through for Christmas.
I will be able to pad my library with a wealth of BBC series!
September 5, 2013 at 2:56 pm
and there is an outside chance that I might have an opinion
September 5, 2013 at 3:05 pm
MDH.
Opine! Opine!
September 5, 2013 at 3:32 pm
DVR set.
September 5, 2013 at 3:40 pm
Mr Austin, you will really like it , its totally Fab Gear.
September 5, 2013 at 4:06 pm
As is mine, im6!
September 5, 2013 at 9:32 pm
Hedley is correct. Wonderful show. Acting by the entire cast is brilliant.
September 5, 2013 at 9:46 pm
Pete,
I have set my DVR to record the series.
September 6, 2013 at 12:33 am
I like the flashmobs too. It’s been warm here, and I’m just resting and getting enough energy to wave to you. Here is a Lori day;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ss6pm-ydSg
Waving,
Lori and crew
September 6, 2013 at 11:23 am
Lori,
I always loved Gumby and Pokey-even have one of each though my Pokey is huge and my Gumby tiny.
For some reason this had no sound so I found it on YouTube. Poor Pokey!!
waving!!
September 6, 2013 at 7:22 am
Hi Kat,
I’m late reading everyone. I had to get a new laptop and I’m still trying to figure out how it works. 🙂 New Macbook Pro 13″ with retina display. Christer’s photos look even more fabulous than before. Music sounds much better, too.
My bank account is very flat, though. 🙁
In grammar school and parts of high school, I had those lovely huge windows that required a long stick with a hook to open and close. The rooms were set up so that the windows were always to the side of the class. In warm weather, both the top and bottom windows would be opened. There were no screens. The very wide windowsills always had geraniums on them. It didn’t matter who the teacher was. The geraniums were always there. I think it was a rule.
Yesterday started with rain but ended with sun.
I hope your evening was enjoyable. See you on the web again today.
September 6, 2013 at 11:25 am
Hi Caryn,
I’m happy you have a new computer. I loved when I first bought mine. Have fun with it!!
I know that stick-we had the same, but we never had flowers on the window sills. I guess geraniums had that great red color to give the rooms a bit of flair.
It was chilly yesterday and really cold last night. It was errand day, and I did five-one more left for today.
Have a great day!!
September 12, 2013 at 8:40 am
Sorry I am so far behind… slowly catching up, I do love to savor your posts and all the wonderful comments. Here’s something I love to listen to, especially on those hot summer days.
September 12, 2013 at 9:39 am
Splendid,
I’m glad you drop by-the when or how soon doesn’t matter! I love the comments as well!
September 12, 2013 at 8:40 am
lol here is the link : http://www.rainymood.com/
September 12, 2013 at 9:40 am
Splendid,
Thanks! It is in the background now. I too love the sound of the rain. In Ghana my house and classrooms had tin roofs, and the rain sounds were wonderful.