Stormy Weather

So I'm sitting in my living room with my laptop in hand, a fire in the fireplace, and the front door open to let in the sound and smell of the rain. We've just received a sudden downpour, and, just like any time it rained during my childhood, my daddy is talking on his phone, looking intently at his computer, and simultaneously putting on his rain gear to run out into the storm and keep people's homes from flooding. He's awesome that way. This is part of what comes with working for the city's water department.
I always enjoy this aspect of the rain, not that daddy has to leave, but that everything becomes so lively. Rain has always been "an event" in my family. From the time I was little, rain meant running outside (in our pajamas if the occasion called for it) and jumping in puddles, only to come inside where mommy had made us something warm to drink. Meanwhile, daddy would shake his head at us with a grin as he was walking out the door to save some unsuspecting neighborhood from being flooded that day. Lightning and thunder meant waking up everyone in the house, pulling up the mini-blinds, and peering out to marvel at what God does.
Tonight is no less lively. I'm not quite sure why my mommy decided to take the trash out right at the height of the downpour, but for whatever reason, she did,and she is now walking around the house soaking wet, daddy is astounded by the record breaking rate, Crystal is remarking on those poor people who live right on the beach, and I am here soaking it in.

Sometimes it's nice to just be in a moment.

It's always interesting to listen from the living room because from this spot I can hear the rain in the gutter outside, and I can hear the rain falling on the tin roof in the family room. It gives off the feeling that I am listening to two different things, but it's not, only two different contexts for rain-ness.


It makes me grateful to live precisely right now. I can't help but think of The Great Divorce, and I think that if I were only 5 minutes behind, this rain storm would pierce through me like bullets. All the more reason to be grateful for "now", I suppose.

nothing is dull

Driving up a hill, the sun of fire behind. I stare in my rear view mirror until I can no longer see. I look ahead so I can drive, and catch a glimpse of the electric poles that now look like the House of Parliament. Descending the hill, I mistakenly think that the sun has set. All the while Thelonious Monk is playing softly in the background, persuading me to feel for a moment. Is that smog? No. No, now it is mystical haze that envelopes the perception of a city and still participates as one of its members. I almost want to ask it what it's thinking about. Who could call this mundane? Me, only yesterday.

"All thou wouldst have lies now within thee, every whit
'Tis thine - so long as thou dost never strive for it." - Angelus Silesius


"Lost to myself I stayed
My face upon my lover having laid
From all endeavour ceasing:
And all my cares releasing
Threw them amongst the lilies there to fade." - St. John of The Cross

A worthy combination...

Reading St. John of the Cross while listening to Thelonious Monk.

Dr. Pepper...

Quick announcement to assess the final results of the last pole taken.

Dr. Pepper tastes...

too spicey (25%)
like the nectar of the gods (25%)
more like Diet Dr. Pepper (25%)
is an oxymoronic statement (25%)

As you can see we have a complete tie. I suppose this next pole should be something a little more controversial. ;)