Only in Oregon can the sun be shining while it is raining. Each day during the winter months I scan the western horizon and try to gauge the direction of the rain clouds. This morning, the sun broke through the gray clouds. I loaded Gracie in the Escape and made my way to Minto. Half way there the rain drops fell on the windshield. I craned my neck to check the clouds - a few high clouds, but a lot of blue sky. Nuts. My grandma use to say there would be three more days of rain if it rained while the sun was out.
Thirty-one years in Oregon has taught me two things: be prepared to enjoy outdoor activities in the rain and always have your rain gear handy. As I parked at the Minto parking lot, I donned my sunglasses, slipped on my rain pants and pulled on my rain parka. I stuffed my gloves in my pocket just in case the wind picked up.
Gracie doesn't need rain gear. Her lab coat provides her with all the protection she needs. So she gets impatient waiting for me to get organized. I hesitate a minute trying to decide if I need to wear my hat - a lovely fashion statement of waterproof material and ear flaps. I leave it behind trusting my growing experience in predicting the weather - the blue sky on the western horizon is overtaking the clouds. This must be the break the weatherman called for.
Gracie danced frantically begging me to throw the ball. She leaped at me several times trying to snatch it from the Chuck It. On her third leap she took me down. I landed unceremoniously in a soup of mud (and I'm afraid to think of what else). I congratulated myself for having the foresight to suit up in my rain gear. I chucked the ball for Grace so she would not feel inclined to "help" me up. As she dashed after her prized tennis ball, I mustered what remaining dignity I had and hobbled back to the car to towel off.
to bee -- or not to bee
1 year ago
4 comments:
Well, Jiggs and I started off in the sunshine for our walk today. I must have thought we weer in Miami because I took no coat, no hat. At the far end of the walk, of course, the weather reminded me that we are only in the third week of winter. Not the first week of spring -- when it would be just as rainy.
Speaking of which: where did all the robins come from? I thought there was an audition going on for the Best of Alfred Hitchcock. (See the blog. Not the Steve McQueen movie.)
I had a flock of robins at my house as well. (Do they call them a "murder" or is that just for crows?)
I misjudge the weather myself - so much for my western horizon prognostication. The sun was shining and the neighbors were doing yard work. Minto dog park was socked in -- coats, hats & gloves were the choice of the day.
RAIN RAIN RAIN.... Suggestions please.
I want to take my lovely Boxer and great dane to the park in the rain, as this is all it does lately. Yes, I do have the rain gear. However, it is difficult to wash my dogs and it also takes up a lot of towels and water and causes more laundry. Yet- I love my pets and they need the exercise.
So- for large breed dog owners, do I just have to deal with this or are there other suggestions.
My golden retriever is now 12 years old. Somewhere in that time period, I simply surrendered that my truck would be filled with hair and sand and that cleaning my house was a futile gesture. I a had a choice between a dirty house and a loving dog, I would take the choice where I hand my house guests a towel with instructions to put it under themselves when they sit on my furniture.
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