Unsunny California
One misty moisty morning
When cloudy was the weather
I chanced to meet an old man
Clothed all in leather
He began to compliment
And I began to grin
How do you do and how do you do
And how do you do again
Back in the days of my innocence, before I knew my beloved grandfather was a pedophile with a conviction record longer than I was tall, before Silence Of The Lambs brought new meaning to the phrase “clothed all in leather,” that was my favorite nursery rhyme. From childhood I have known the preciousness of water falling from the sky. You don’t get much of that living on the edge of the Sahara, and even here in Southern California it’s special enough to cause people to gather at windows and marvel at the glory of it. In the past five years, I’ve had my office close early on two separate occasions because there was a “severe storm” developing.?Dearly beloved fellow Californians, we do not have severe storms in our fair region. Pretend all you want, it does not happen. Look to the Midwest if you want to see severe storms. Those people, they know severe.
But this morning, that nursery rhyme is humming in my head. Because today, as?I walked to my office, the eucalyptus trees were swathed in fog and mist turned my hair into ringlets. The air smelled of damp earth and the streetlights wore halos. The bougainvillea’s fuchsia blooms glowed like neon in the mist. For a few delusional moments, I pretended I was in England.
A misty moisty morning indeed.
June 10th, 2008 at 9:23 am
misty, grey mornings can be magical. I really do like bright, sunny mornings too though. I haven’t had enough of them this summer yet…
suze’s last blog post: my weekend was sucky, how about yours?
June 10th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Nice piece.
We were in San Diego two years ago when a “thunderstorm” warranted the first 15 minutes of a local newscast. Hotel workers talked about “waking up their kids to see lightning.”
I couldn’t believe it was such a big deal, but I guess it is when you don’t normally see weather like that.
One of my co-workers — who sleeps with his patio door open while in SD — slept right through it. He was more flabbergasted by all of the thunderstorm talk than I was.
June 10th, 2008 at 10:25 am
I swear sometimes here in Seattle I could easily think I am in England. Gray weather and lots of melancholy types. There’s a reason Seattle is one of the most fit/active cities in America. We’d lose our heads in all this crap weather if we didn’t!
But I have found it funny that people here get all up in arms about the “storms” when really it’s not that big of a deal. And why can’t Seattleites drive in the rain? I mean, we get enough practice.
sizzle’s last blog post: Way To Bowl Me Over, Buddy
June 10th, 2008 at 10:52 am
This made me smile!! I wish you would get over here to England so I could show you around!!
I have to say though, today we woke to glorious blue skies and sunshine, however no humidity and a maximum temperature of 24C (76F) - very civilised. Perfect G&T in the garden weather
Penelope’s last blog post: Whomever this slipper fits.
June 10th, 2008 at 11:24 am
I didn’t realize it was such a big deal out there. That’s truly magical.
I love stormy weather, but it’s definitely not rare. Especially right now. Yikes!
kilax’s last blog post: Know where to go?
June 10th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Suze: You’d be amazed how BORING bright, sunny days can be when 80% of the year is like that. “Real” weather that actually does something is such a treat.
ajooja: That was my exact reaction to the little earthquake you guys had a few months ago! I couldn’t believe the fuss. It all depends on what you’re used to.
Sizzle: San Diegans can’t drive in the rain, either. They either slow to a timid crawl at the first drop, or continue to drive like
Hillymadmen when it’s pouring and the streets are slick with oil residue.Penelope: Believe me, I wish I would, too!!!
What is “G&T”?
Kim: If only we could trade for awhile, huh?