Sunday, January 6, 2013

Getting tired of the rain

Well-deserved latte after a soaking wet walk
Yesterday morning I woke to light rain but figured it would probably quit (it was supposed to) before I met the Fairhaven walkers at 8:00am. It not only didn't stop, but it picked up as we huddled under the overhang at the coffee shop. Fifteen women showed up, can you believe it? Not a one of us expected it would rain like that; some were even wearing blue jeans, a definite detriment when walking in the rain. You get cold when they get wet.

I, however, had pulled on my rain pants before I left the house, figuring it was better to be safe than sorry. We walked in the pouring rain at a good clip, and after about twenty minutes I realized that I was feeling quite warm and happy, glad that I had come out for the walk after all. When we went into the coffee shop afterwards, we left puddles as we stood in line ordering our coffee.

As we warmed our hands on the mugs, we chatted about being glad we had made the decision to come out despite the rain. But yes, I'm getting tired of the rain. I learned that December broke an all-time record in Seattle for the most days with rain. No wonder we're all getting tired of it and rejoicing when we see the sun.

I have made reservations to visit Norma Jean in Florida at the end of the month. You watch: it will stop raining and turn warm and sunny. I just hope the gloom doesn't follow me there. Oh, and by the way before I go, I saw a wonderful piece about Maurice Sendak on Time Goes By. I've watched it a few times now, and every time it makes me both smile and cry. Apparently it all came about because Terry Gross interviewed Maurice about his new book in 2011. He died in May this past year, and artist Christoph Niemann drew the pictures and the New York Times published it on the last day of December 2012 to honor Maurice, a wonderful man who taught me where the wild things are.

:-)

28 comments:

  1. laughed at the vision of you lovely ladies leaving puddles in the coffee shop. you'll have to carry your own 'caution - wet floor' signage. :)

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  2. Wow! Thank you so much for posting this DJan. At first I was going to say I hope none of you caught colds but after hearing Maurice Sendak, I see that you are truly following his advice to "live your life, live you life, live your life." This made me cry too.

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  3. We need a certain amount of sun for good mental health- may you have enough soon. I loved this interview with maurice- how dear.

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  4. ack, hopefully when you go see her there will be sun there...i hope you get your break in the rain though...cool art on your latte as well...sendak is awesome...live your life....

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  5. "I am in love with this world". Maurice was. You are. I am too. "Live your life". Walk in the rain. Have lovely lattes with friends. Post and share that life with us. :)

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  6. Isn't coming in from the cold or the wet to a hot drink one of life's simple pleasures?

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  7. Well 2012 was the wettest year since records began. I am with you in hoping we see a little more blue sky in 2013.

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  8. I hope your rain stops soon too...we will be heading for the Pacific coast on Friday....but much farther south....we are going to Ixtapa, Mexico for a sunny tropical holiday, I hope!,,

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  9. What a lovely video. The interview was sweet, and the drawings add a whole measure of sweetness, and maybe sadness. "Live your life." What great advice from a favorite author and artist.

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  10. Ah..good message Live your life..live your life..even if it includes lots of rain. I am happy to hear you are going to visit Norma Jean:)

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  11. Now I like walking in the rain. My family thinks I'm nuts. But it takes real guts to walk in your rain. I'd want a latte too.

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  12. What an amazing interview! When he said--I am in love with this world--it made me cry because that is just how I feel. I know you are, too--with your leaps out of planes and hikes up mountainsides and dripping rain puddles onto the coffeeshop floor. Isn't life grand? So lovely it can break your heart. :)

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  13. You will be my neighbor at the end of the month; frankly, if you bring the rain with you, I will hug your neck. We need some.
    I felt the chill as I read your post...the thought of walking in the rain in jeans...I know I couldn't do that. I'm glad that you wore your rain pants...and I know that others wished they had done the same.
    You are a trooper.
    Yes, you are!
    Hugs,
    J.

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  14. Thank you, thank you, thank you. For making me weep. That was a WONDERFUL interview with Maurice Sendak - such an inspiring man.
    I hope that you get sun for your visit to Norma Jean. You would be more than welcome to our sun, and I would accept your rain with gratitude.
    I loved your energy after your wet walk, and laughed at the puddles you all left.

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  15. We walked around the river yesterday in sunshine and lightly falling snow. A few clouds passing over, kept the snow fall light and the colours of the sun streaking throughout the falling snowflakes made me feel this was one of Mother Natures more wonderful days. A wet walk indeed DJan, and I am picturing you all in ur puddle waiting in line for coffee. I watched and listened to Maurice Sendak and he made my heart happy, as this morning we are heading out again, on snowshoes to "live our life". Thank you DJan for that touching video and yes, midway on our snowshoe hike, we will stop at the olde log, sit down and sip hot chocolate - I shall think of you and Mr. Sendak while at this very special spot. lol

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  16. The weather in Florida has been beautiful! Now I'm going back to listen to the sendak interview. Loved his books.

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  17. Rain seems to be in Europe too. And we are to get some instead of snow. We had a dry summer so this is likely good here.
    Walking in rain is fun if you want it to be.

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  18. That was a wonderful little video. He certainly lived his life.. and gave so much to others.

    Think sunshine when you visit your sis.. and you'll bring it with you. In fact, no matter how much rain, I suspect you bring sunshine with you wherever you go.

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  19. Oh boy....well, in my opinion, Jan/Feb are great months to be in Florida. Just hope the rains stay in the northwest while you two are having a great time together.

    Ya'know, preparing for a rainy day as you did shows that you were more wise than the blue-jeaned ladies.

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  20. ps....checking to see if my comment 'took' hold, it did.....but I read Hillary's comment above mine as it reloaded...and I agree with her words 100%

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  21. I love the beautiful still life you created with just the things you had at the coffee shop

    I love the rain but there is always too much of things

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  22. We did get a lot of rain in December. I see it is still coming down now that we've fled to Tucson.

    Enjoy your visit in the sunshine with Norma Jean!

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  23. We did get a lot of rain in December. I see it is still coming down now that we've fled to Tucson.

    Enjoy your visit in the sunshine with Norma Jean!

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  24. Ah, life in the Pacific Northwest. Glad to hear you aren't letting it stop you from enjoy the hikes. It's been rainy and cold over this way too.

    Maurice Sendak was a great teacher to many of us.

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  25. I love how you have rain pants. You know you live somewhere that gets a lot of rain when you have specialty gear. I wear hoods; my husband takes an umbrella. We have only about 11 inches a year here, so no special clothing needed.

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  26. Why am I not surprised you had your rain pants? Prepared is the way to go! Would loved to have joined you for that coffee!

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  27. Just so long as you don't leave your umbrella behind.

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  28. I'm in admiration each time you share a tale about heading out walking or hiking in the rain! Not sure I'd have the courage to do that...

    We had a brief rainstorm in Alicante today. First rain in over a month, much needed! How about you send me some of your rain and I'll share our sunshine? We'd both be happy with the exchange! ;o)

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