No Rain Today
The sky was blue with some clouds. Swallows up high.
We were on our way to lunch. To this lovely little cafe in a former train station nearby. And the weather was going to be just perfect for it. My husband had checked his favorite app. Definitely no rain all day. All five of the included weather models agreed.
On the way, we stopped at a store to pick up a few things. And as I stood there waiting to continue our walk, I looked across the street. On the other side was a small bistro that served Mediterranean food. It also had a pretty little awning covering the small seating area in front. Very inviting. So I spontaneously suggested that maybe we should try that place this time, because we had always wanted to go there, but never managed to.
We entered the place and chose our food. The owner lovingly portioned the meal and placed it on plates. We also chose a selection of homemade olives in herbs and some drinks. Then we went outside and sat down at a nice little table at the edge of the seating area. Five minutes later, one of the other customers brought our order out – it’s a family-owned place with a lot of regulars, so everyone just helps out.
Everything smelled wonderful and tasted good. When I took my second bite, it started pouring. I mean literally pouring. You could see the rain coming down in straight lines.
My husband and I looked at each other and just started laughing. And the memories came flooding back of when we were teenagers in campgrounds and rain just like that: … me and my best friend, the only ones in a properly pitched and waterproofed tent (my dad had checked it beforehand), having tea and biscuits while everyone else was screaming and complaining about wet clothes and water dripping in …
Of course, there were a few people around us in the bistro who were also complaining about the rain. But one lady on the table next to us said: “The trees need the rain. It’s good that it’s raining. It has been too dry the last few weeks.” And everyone agreed. Because the people here love their giant old trees, four stories high and more.
On the way back, the sky was almost clear again. And then it occurred to me that I would not have to water the herbs and fruits on our balcony that evening. Very good.
Definitely no rain all day. All five of the included weather models agreed.
Side Notes:
- I have already mentioned that we save the water we use to wash the sprouts in our kitchen to water the plants on the balcony (see post [‘Trend Sprouts‘]). A similar initiative has started in our neighborhood for the old trees. During the weeks when the rain is not enough to water the big plants, we take basically clean household water, like from washing veggies (collected in a bucket in the bathroom), to help and water the plants. I am really proud of this effort and the people involved.