Gratitude Monday: a rainy Saturday

It rained here in the District They Call Columbia at the weekend. We did need it, because the 30-minute gully-washer on Tuesday that stranded motorists on the flooded George Washington Parkway (and leaked into Metro stations and other fun stuff) didn’t really do a lot to alleviate weeks of heat.

It wasn’t so bad most of last week; only one day did I have to close the patio door and crank up the AC. But Summer in the District is default brutal. And as a transplant from California, I’m still in drought mode, worrying about the water tables way more than a city dweller ought.

Saturday morning I walked over to the plaza where the farmers market is held. I got an overpriced café au lait (note to self: their espresso is okay, but their coffee is so bitter you have to add sugar) and piece of dry coffeecake from the coffee house and sat outside watching vendors set up. The older fella and dog from a couple of weeks ago showed up and took what obviously is Their Table. This time they were joined by a couple who were clearly well known to the dog and her human.

I overheard them say that the expected rain wasn’t supposed to arrive until mid-morning. I took notice because I hadn’t been aware of the forecast. There were a few sprinkles as I wandered over to buy a baguette, but that was it. I was glad, because it’s a couple of miles from the farmers market to my house, and I did not fancy getting the baguette soaked.

I got home and proceeded with my usual Saturday activities—laundry, cleaning, etc. By 1130, the rain started. It wasn’t a few sprinkles, nor was it torrential; just steady soft rain. After about an hour, I opened the patio door so I could listen to it. It kept on raining for more than 12 hours.

I spent at least five of them in the livingroom, reading, writing and listening to it. When I went to bed, I opened the bedroom window to allow it to continue "playing" for me. It was so restful, and such a blessed change. It’s been so long since I’ve had that natural music for an entire day, and I’m so grateful for it, as we move into a more typical July week here in the District.