HAPPY GREY DAY
Thunder is roaring in the distance.
What started out
as a beautiful, sunny, autumn morning is now a cool, grey autumn
afternoon. I love it. The farm is such a peaceful haven, and an
artist's dream-space for creative flow.
This morning I was rehearsing some songs I've written for children, as there are a few shows coming up. Music is such a wonderful tool for transporting us to other places. For me today, I was taken instantly to an overwhelmingly cheerful place, as I sang about happy things. Writing songs for children also transports me to being a child again myself. And what great fun that is. I am still smiling a couple of hours later.
So the sky thunders, the wind blows, and the rain pours on down. And all I can do is smile and feel gratitude. Yet these sorts of days seem to get the most complaining out of many people.
It is never going to be sunny and hot every single day, is it? Weather changes. This is a fact of life. (Everything changes). There will always be days like this. So why resist it and why not embrace it? A friend was moaning about this sort of weather to me recently. But as I said to her, why not use this weather for doing enjoyable indoor things instead? Celebrate it. Welcome it. Moaning is not going to stop the Gods sending rainy days to us at times. We need those days too. Life is about contrast after all. And we need water for survival.
One of the many, many things I loved about living in Melbourne (which is in Victoria, one of the most Southern states of Australia) was the spirit of the people. Melbourne is known for its changing weather patterns, often several in one day (though in fairness to Melbourne weather, it has the most beautiful, warming, autumn sunshine I have ever known. And apparently, when it is averaged out, it actually has less rainfall than Sydney - or so I once read).
The spirit of Melbourne people is amazing. They are outdoor people in any weather at all, and credit to them, I say. Many are from European backgrounds. In fact, the story goes that Melbourne has the second biggest Greek population of any city outside of Athens. It is not just Greeks in Melbourne though. It is a vastly multi-cultural city, which I absolutely love. People from all walks of life are drawn there.
Anyway, what I am trying to say is that they still manage to fill stadiums for any sports events at all, regardless of the weather. And when it is a glorious sunny day, everyone comes out to enjoy it. Beautiful weather is always acknowledged and appreciated down there.
I also experienced the same when living in London years ago. The weather may be cold and grey there often. But when it is sunny, it is truly appreciated. And anyway, if it were truly sunny every single day, everywhere, the sunshine would end up not being appreciated anywhere near as much.
As it is, there are also some of us who absolutely love days like this when the wind blows by, and the sky turns dark in the middle of the day. There's something so snug about them and cups of chai taste even better than usual. Rain falls hard on the tin roof now and only serves to enhance my gratitude. I am snug, dry, fed, and happy, and all of this on a cloudy, windy, wet day.
I think that having fair skin is a part of it, particularly living in a country that can have such extreme heat in summer. The cooler months offer me more freedom in many ways, being not so harsh or restricting on my skin. And growing up on a farm struck by years of drought always ensures I will never take rain or milder weather for granted. I only wish others could see the beauty in it too.
The rain has now arrived in full force (and my smile widens). I've never seen the creek come up so fast. Water is gushing over the bridge and obviously there will be no leaving the cottage today. At this rate, it will soon be covered completely. A lizard can be seen on the (so far) uncovered part of the bridge, making the most of having a wash in the downpour. Out the side window, what is normally a trickle of a creek is now like a small lake. (Interestingly, a friend had a dream here the other night that the creek overflowed and I had a swimming pool with large fish in it out my side window).
The photo with today's article was taken one day when out walking near my parent's home some years back. The sky is huge there and, in those days, I often carried my camera. A storm was approaching and I realised there was no time left to make it to my folk's place. So I found shelter and watched the storm in bliss and joy. About ten minutes later, my dear mother drove up. She'd known exactly where to find me. Together we then sat in the car, marveling at the power and magnificence of it. Thankfully she shares my love of such weather.
As it pours rain here, it will be sunny in other parts of the world, perhaps from where you are reading this. And when it's raining there, it may be sunny here. Whatever the case, let's just appreciate the weather either way, accept what is and be grateful for the contrast (and the life giving water that often comes with grey days).
Moaning doesn't help anyone, especially yourself or those you moan to. There is joy to be found in rainy days. There is joy to be found in cooler days. There is joy to be found in any day.
Anyway friends, that's today's weather report! Thanks for dropping by and sharing the time.
I hope you are finding joy, whatever the day or night is like where you are right now. Sending you cheerful thoughts from the cottage: pouring rain, grey skies, howling winds, and all.
This morning I was rehearsing some songs I've written for children, as there are a few shows coming up. Music is such a wonderful tool for transporting us to other places. For me today, I was taken instantly to an overwhelmingly cheerful place, as I sang about happy things. Writing songs for children also transports me to being a child again myself. And what great fun that is. I am still smiling a couple of hours later.
So the sky thunders, the wind blows, and the rain pours on down. And all I can do is smile and feel gratitude. Yet these sorts of days seem to get the most complaining out of many people.
It is never going to be sunny and hot every single day, is it? Weather changes. This is a fact of life. (Everything changes). There will always be days like this. So why resist it and why not embrace it? A friend was moaning about this sort of weather to me recently. But as I said to her, why not use this weather for doing enjoyable indoor things instead? Celebrate it. Welcome it. Moaning is not going to stop the Gods sending rainy days to us at times. We need those days too. Life is about contrast after all. And we need water for survival.
One of the many, many things I loved about living in Melbourne (which is in Victoria, one of the most Southern states of Australia) was the spirit of the people. Melbourne is known for its changing weather patterns, often several in one day (though in fairness to Melbourne weather, it has the most beautiful, warming, autumn sunshine I have ever known. And apparently, when it is averaged out, it actually has less rainfall than Sydney - or so I once read).
The spirit of Melbourne people is amazing. They are outdoor people in any weather at all, and credit to them, I say. Many are from European backgrounds. In fact, the story goes that Melbourne has the second biggest Greek population of any city outside of Athens. It is not just Greeks in Melbourne though. It is a vastly multi-cultural city, which I absolutely love. People from all walks of life are drawn there.
Anyway, what I am trying to say is that they still manage to fill stadiums for any sports events at all, regardless of the weather. And when it is a glorious sunny day, everyone comes out to enjoy it. Beautiful weather is always acknowledged and appreciated down there.
I also experienced the same when living in London years ago. The weather may be cold and grey there often. But when it is sunny, it is truly appreciated. And anyway, if it were truly sunny every single day, everywhere, the sunshine would end up not being appreciated anywhere near as much.
As it is, there are also some of us who absolutely love days like this when the wind blows by, and the sky turns dark in the middle of the day. There's something so snug about them and cups of chai taste even better than usual. Rain falls hard on the tin roof now and only serves to enhance my gratitude. I am snug, dry, fed, and happy, and all of this on a cloudy, windy, wet day.
I think that having fair skin is a part of it, particularly living in a country that can have such extreme heat in summer. The cooler months offer me more freedom in many ways, being not so harsh or restricting on my skin. And growing up on a farm struck by years of drought always ensures I will never take rain or milder weather for granted. I only wish others could see the beauty in it too.
The rain has now arrived in full force (and my smile widens). I've never seen the creek come up so fast. Water is gushing over the bridge and obviously there will be no leaving the cottage today. At this rate, it will soon be covered completely. A lizard can be seen on the (so far) uncovered part of the bridge, making the most of having a wash in the downpour. Out the side window, what is normally a trickle of a creek is now like a small lake. (Interestingly, a friend had a dream here the other night that the creek overflowed and I had a swimming pool with large fish in it out my side window).
The photo with today's article was taken one day when out walking near my parent's home some years back. The sky is huge there and, in those days, I often carried my camera. A storm was approaching and I realised there was no time left to make it to my folk's place. So I found shelter and watched the storm in bliss and joy. About ten minutes later, my dear mother drove up. She'd known exactly where to find me. Together we then sat in the car, marveling at the power and magnificence of it. Thankfully she shares my love of such weather.
As it pours rain here, it will be sunny in other parts of the world, perhaps from where you are reading this. And when it's raining there, it may be sunny here. Whatever the case, let's just appreciate the weather either way, accept what is and be grateful for the contrast (and the life giving water that often comes with grey days).
Moaning doesn't help anyone, especially yourself or those you moan to. There is joy to be found in rainy days. There is joy to be found in cooler days. There is joy to be found in any day.
Anyway friends, that's today's weather report! Thanks for dropping by and sharing the time.
I hope you are finding joy, whatever the day or night is like where you are right now. Sending you cheerful thoughts from the cottage: pouring rain, grey skies, howling winds, and all.
