Rainy Day FUN...and Memories

Yesterday we had some really torrential rains - feels rather like we are living in the tropics with a daily thunderstorm.  The upside is that the garden is lush and for this we are grateful.  Hopefully there will be no drought this year.  Just talked with friend, Beth , in Iowa and she said they have rain daily for months - almost to the point that farmers can't plant because the ground is so wet.  Somewhat of a blessing because they have been in a drought for a few years now.

   For Photoschmoozer and 'Little Martie'- the rain is a gift for SEEING - a new view of the world through the lens of the car windshield.  I was driving home and splashed through a huge puddle - that gave me pause and brought back a memory when son, Jon, was young.  He loved for us to out driving and splash through the puddles.  So for Jon, I did just that!!  It was great fun though a bit challenging.  I had to create the splash and hold the camera up to capture what I could.  SUCCESS!  

   Then I just sat for a minute and saw what the world looked like through the heavy rains on the windshield.  I felt like I was in the midst of an Impressionist art gallery - distorted but still capturing the colors.  I had to move slowly because I was choosing to drive along the road (no cars in sight) without the windshield wipers to get the full effect.  The rain and the driving created some amazing BE STILL moments for me.  I was so into the PROCESS of what I was doing and that was the joy of it.  It made my little girl's heart jump with joy!!  And I had just finished an acupuncture treatment, so the chi energy was really flowing!!  Here are a few more of my favorite 'paintings' from yesterday's rainy day adventure.  Have you ever done this?  It's no fun to stay in - except maybe when there is thunder and lightening.  Then it all brought me back to growing up 'down the shore' in Wildwood Crest.  When it rained, we put on rubber boots and slickers and went out and played in the puddles.  Oh the joys of childhood...and memories!!

YOUR CAMERA, MY FRIEND.  NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT.  Oh and one other thing - Make sure you have extra charged batteries!!

Synchronicities...and Happiness

This morning, I received this link from Friend Bob  - and it is sooooooooo ME!!  This particular piece is all about what I call Synchronicities - The author calls it 'seeing the unseen'.  It matters not IF you BE STILL and pay attention to everything that is happening because it all has meaning.  One little event triggers the next - and so it goes throughout the day!!  The joys of the simple things!  Perfect way to enjoy life in all of its glories!!                                                              
                                                     http://www.thehiyl.com/

Yesterday I talked about the gifts I received from just being out in the rain and SEEING.  My synchronicities are often with people...and with the little sightings of the beauty of the gifts that Mother Nature offers us.  A few days ago, I had seen some painted daisies (my word for them) on a hill and went back to see them in all of their magnificence.  That I did...and more

They were just saying...STOP and SEE ME!!

Ahhhhhhhh but they were not alone!  I took time to look around and everywhere, the rain had left water droplets on everything that was growing.  This tree just said to me - Look over here and see what I have to offer you!!  And I just got pulled in that direction!!

Then - I had issued a challenge to the BE STILL group to photograph lillies of all different colors.  Maybe it is my quest - others go off in their own directions and don't take the callenge (Bob does!!)  Back in the car and off to search Pitman for the unusual big lillies - not the orange day lillies that are so all over the place!!  I found some big beauties and also discovered other treasures that brought me joy!!  Mayor Mike (Pitman's former mayor) and his wife always have such an amazing garden and I knew there were gifts there.  What I found -

                                              http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alstroemeria

Without a doubt, they have always been favorites of mine BUT today I found the plants growing in pots and they were splendid!  I often buy them at florists or in the bins at the grocery store, but today they were just growing and I was excited.  Not sure anyone else could hare my joy - but sometimes the dancing feelings are within and that is cool for me.  Here they are!!

One more treat hidden among the plants - we can call them Echinacaea - we can call them coneflowers - we can know that they are totally cool - and the herb from this plant is healing too!!  Share my joy at seeing this beauty!!

I could go on and on but there will be more days...more gifts...more stories.  See - Bill and I have a list of zillions of gardens in the tri-state area - most within an hour from home!!  Today we go to Ft. Washington to see what is there.  Yesterday a firend said, "What kind of pictures can you take on a day like this?!"   I think you see the answer to that question in what I have shared - so even though it is overcast, we are heading out today - and the gifts are waiting!!