I know how much I love sunny days, but I have nothing but issues when it rains and is amazingly windy. Well, here’s my way of coping with it: think about the good things that come from rainy days.
The Rain
Rain is a necessity to ensure that there is water so that we can remain alive. As a bonus, it also cleans the air and makes everything have an amazingly fresh scent. Without rain, my water bill would be super high, as I’d have to water my garden all of the time.
Days like today make those of us with rain barrels very thankful for being forward thinking about water conservation. In a few months, when the sun is hot and the lettuce is wilting, that stored up rain will help keep things growing…without depleting other resources, including the bank account.
The Wind
I am currently sitting in my living room watching the trees whip around. There are blossoms flying through the air. Pine cones and needles are falling. Branches with little buds are hitting each other… and everything is being pollenated, setting the rest of the year up for success. I, myself, do not have any fruit trees, but the neighbors do. I’ll tell ya’, with a few more crazy, windy days like this, the fall apple and pear crops will be bumper.
The other thing that this nasty wind is doing is moving all of the little bits of trash, litter and leaves off of the roads and into nice little piles to be picked up. If that’s inspiring to you, City of Seattle has a program to help and encourage you: Spring Clean Your Neighborhood. The city is supplying clean-up bags, gloves, safety vests and waste disposal permits. This open program goes from now until the end of May. Check it out at www.seattle.gov/util/SpringClean or call 206-233-7187 for more information.
In the mean time…
Let’s utilize icky days where the rain soaks us and the wind steals our hats to be productive. Here are my suggestions for a day like today:
- online plant shop to find local vendors that can supply both wisdom and socially responsible garden options
- dress up like the Gordon’s Fisherman and brave the storm to work outside. You may be cold and wet, but fresh air is the bonus
- review pictures of your garden from last year to see what thrived and what failed, then plan appropriately
- use those same pictures as inspiration and create a peice of art to brighten your spirits: collage, des compage, watercolors, papier mache….
Even though crazy weather can be bothersome, take the opportunity to appreciate what it does for us and think about…no, take action on, some of the many things that you can do despite the weather.
