Iowa

Iowa

Saturday, October 2, 2010

The Weather

It rained here this week. A lot. Some people don't like the rain...generally, I do. I fell asleep to the rain the other night. It wasn't a storm, just a pleasant rain. Woke up to it also. Got ready for work. It amazes me what happens to drivers in the rain, at least here in Pittsburgh. A usual 25 minute ride took me 45 minutes, but it was okay. I had the time, so it wasn't crucial that I speed. Which I can't anyway, because I need new tires. But that is a whole other story.
I began my day at Phipps in the butterfly area. There aren't many butterflies left, but we have to be there to catch them should one escape. It was a very quiet morning and raining there in the conservatory as well as outside. The conservatory was built in 1893, so some of the rooms have water coming in when it rains. So, after cleaning the area of leaves and setting up the table, I sat and watched the rain. And listened. It was quiet other than the water dripping on the bricks. A young couple came through holding hands, whispering, smiling. We talked for a few minutes. They were here for a conference that started that afternoon and decided to spend the morning with us. They had been married in June in an outdoor garden wedding in, of all place, Iowa.
I think one of the best things about living in Pittsburgh is the changes of the seasons. I love them all, even the snow and ice. Those days of terrible weather make me appreciate the good days, the sunny ones.
I had an hour or so left in the butterfly area, so I contemplated the weather and how it affects people. One woman told me Phipps was a perfect place to be in the rain; it made her feel happy and peaceful. A co-worker told me it was a good day to spend in bed reading a good book.
What do you like to do on a rainy day? Is it different now than it was as a child?

17 comments:

Shelly said...

If I don't sleep all day, I like to do something productive. Maybe clean closets, scrub floors. Reading is nice, too. When I was a kid, we looked forward to a rainy day when we could play in the puddles and the mud.

Cathy said...

Husband watching the Penn State/Iowa game. Rain, we certainly had some this week. The east coast got slammed..hope Twigs and Tigger survived. When it rains, I like to watch it and hear it. I like spring rains when I know the grass is going to get green and the trees are going to sprout. Yes, when we were kids, we always went out in the rain and played. Such fun! We made boats out of twigs and watched them float down the street. Another great post, Mia.

Tigger said...

We survived the rain her in Brooklyn. Came hard and fast and we had minor flooding, but it receded quickly. Was frightening how quickly that happened. But, we survived.
When I was a kid we also played out in the rain. Do kids do that anymore or are they too busy with their gaming?

SocialWorker2 said...

I like walking in the rain. In a raincoat, no umbrella to carry. I love to fall asleep to the sound of rain, it's so peaceful. I don't remember much about the rain when I was a child, I guess it wasn't anything special...but it is now. Peaceful, I think.

Tim said...

I have the uniform ready. Go Steelers.

Ben said...

OK, let me try this again, wouldn't let me post my comment. Have me blocked, Mia?
I have always lived in the city. As a kid, we would go out in the rain and play in the "river" along the curb. We would build dams, float sticks, boats we had made from the sticks, splash in the puddles. It was great fun.
Now, my dog won't even go out in the rain, forcing me to run alone.
I am glad you are ready, Tim, we want to win today!

Twigs said...

I've been having trouble posting also, Ben. Says "system error". ANYWAY, what does the song say "rainy days and Mondays"...I can't remember the rest. I like the rain, but what we had here this past week was awful. Everything was flooded and all transportation was stopped. People were stranded here for hours and in some cases, days. So, Mia, I can't relate to this. Maybe another day? But thanks for the post.

Bill said...

It's a cloudy day here in the burg. The only problem I have with rainy days is that the kids don't want to go out, so they sit and drive my wife and I nuts. And this cannot happen on a Steeler day. Go, Steelers! And Tim, of course.

Jen said...

OK,I can't remember the next line to that song, can anyone? Fall is officially here, we had our first frost. I am now waiting for Indian Summer.

SassySam said...

Always get me down? I don't remember either! Yes, we have had lots of rain here, also. And Bill, my kids refuse to go out in the rain. It's all I can do to get them to go to the bus stop in the morning for the school bus. We used to always go out in the rain. Maybe they are afraid they will dissolve in the water.

Jessica said...

OK, so I whine when it is too hot, now I will whine because I am sick of cold, drizzly rain. I'm done now, and the picture is kind of neat. Always nice to read your posts, Mia.

Allie (cat) said...

I personally don't watch football, but I hear that the Steelers lost and Ben is coming back. Sorry for Pittsburgh. Seems as though we went from summer to a yucky fall. What happened to all the beautiful leaves and the warm days and cool nights? We had a frost here last night, a mild one, but a frost nonetheless.

ginger said...

Well, we haven't had a frost yet so the trees are not quite changed to their beautiful colors. We were away on the weekend and everything is just starting. It is something to look forward to. A beautiful time of year.

We got rain on Sunday up North but nothing that bothered us. It is nice to listen to the rain in the summer with the windows open and that fresh smell coming in.

I'm a day late but we all know the Steelers lost when they definitely should have won. Too many penalties and missed field goals. Oh well, we get a week to rest and see what Ben has to offer. We know what Tim has, his cheerleading outfit.

JD said...

And we love Tim and his efforts. Yes, I agree Ginger, it is nice to have a summer rain, but it is past summer! Let's have some nice autumn days with sunshine and pretty leaves.

Lori said...

We used to make mud pies and sell them when I was a kid. Never much call for them except for the neighbors. Wonder what they did with them.

Elizabeth said...

There was no greater joy than splashing in the puddles. Making the biggest splash and trying to get the other kid. We always went out in our bathing suits.

Anonymous said...

Used to try to sell those mudpies...parents bought them because it kept us out of their hair for awhile.