There is a wild wind blowing in Delaware today. I watch the leaves go scuttling across the lawn and wonder if there will be any left for the paint brush of Autumn. A limb came out of our willow tree and landed across the driveway. Certain Man, home for lunch, said he would move it before he left. I love days like today. People look at me strange when I say that I love rainy days and Mondays, but I really, really do. And when it is windy and rainy, I love to stand outside my garage and smell the rain and watch the wind toss the branches of our tall hybrid willow tree like a big washing machine. It makes me laugh — something inside is so unencumbered and full of joy and awe.
Outside the family room window, a strong young man is building a deck out from the door of our sun room. He hangs his parka on one of the square posts and it blows straight out, the sleeves full of air, then crashes down against to post, only to be caught again and tossed up in a playful, dancing motion. The wind seems to invigorate him. Sometimes I hear him sing small snatches of song. Yesterday, he worked in the rain, and I felt sorry for him. It was miserable and he dug big holes with only his shovel and post hole digger, chopping through the roots that infest that area from Certain Man’s many trees. He worked hard, and by evening, even with the promise of heavy rain today, he smiled at what he had accomplished and went home to his wife and new baby with a spring in his step.
I am glad that Certain Man decided that he would put a deck in this area. I had only asked for front steps so that I would have easier access to the front yard, but Certain Man, always the one to see ahead, said that we should put a deck there. I look out at the progress that is being made and think again that it is wonderful that God gave one of us the ability to see things how they will be. I only begin to visualize things once they actually have shape and substance. Oh, and some defining color. Let’s not forget color. After living with Certain Man all these years, the color of rough lumber is one of the most exciting colors there is.
The rain was supposed to come during the night. Then at six this morning. Then it was to be sometime this morning. Now it is almost three o’clock in the afternoon, and there is finally some raindrops on the windows. I said to Certain Man that I was going to put this away and do something profitable. It is Visitors Weekend at Youngest Daughter’s Training Center and we want to leave tomorrow for Ohio. I have lots of things to do before we go, but somehow, my chair, a cheery lamp or two and the wind whistling so noisily along with some raindrops spattering now and then, call my name with an urgency that is beguiling. The house itself is quiet. Middle Daughter got called into work early, Certain Man is long gone from lunch, Nettie and Cecilia aren’t home yet, and now even Davey has capitulated to the increasing rain and packed up his tools and left.
The overcast light outside reminds me that time is moving on, and that this plodder had better get to plodding if she is going to be ready to go. Maybe an afternoon cup of coffee and my current favorite classical CD will get me moving.
I think I’ll at least give it a good try.
As my Sweet Mama would sometimes say, “There’s no time like the present to start!”
(I’m going, I’m going!)
Delaware Grammy 
I totally agree with you on the rain, the wind and Mondays! A kindred spirit.
Have you ever thought of compiling a collection of your writings sometime–even for just family and friends? I thought about it yesterday as I read about the “Blood Diamond”–you are so gifted at expressing yourself in writing and turning the common and not-so-common things in life into spiritual illustrations. We joke that my husband can turn anything into a sermon illustration–that’s his outlet; I’m glad that you share your illustrations and your life musings with us on Xanga. You’re a blessing!
I, too, am a kindred spirit in the rainy day/Monday philosophy! I always tell my kids that Monday is the beginning of a brand new week, a chance to start over and do the best we can! (Sunday doesn’t really count because it’s our day of worship and to me belongs in a category all by itself!)I love your declaration about the color of rough lumber – so, so true for me as well. I agree with So_Blessed_5 – you should compile your writings into a book. I love reading your blog, and read aloud to my folks quite often. They love it, too.Blessings!
That kind of day sounds like one that would be hard to get going instead of just enjoying. Hope there is enjoyment in the going.
I’m glad you can enjoy the wild windy days. You give us hope that they can be enjoyed; for us for now the wild autumn days are merely the transition from endless weeks of clouds and too much rain to the endless weeks of solidly-frozen! Yet the colors shine, and God’s promises are reminded to us in the ongoing flow of seasons.mw
Mondays have been a favorite of mine for many years. Maybe because it meant a few hours of quietness when the children went back to school. Or maybe it meant getting back to a regular schedule after the weekend. I think the children were happier on Mondays when they were babies. It meant their own crib for naps and their own family after being “passed around” after church on Sunday. I’m a big fan or rainy days too, but not so much of the wind when it blows much beyond a breeze. Love your writing!