A Quiet House

I crave a quiet house, where televisions are off, videogames are tucked away for another day, dogs have ceased barking, and thoughts can be heard.  I love afternoons where windows are open and there is a quiet hum coming in through the screen.  Today was one of those days.

Quiet house days usually come around after a rain storm.  I have found that rain has a quieting effect on most people.  It's a distracting occurance that shifts your focus on what's going on inside, to what's happening on the outside.  People become fixated on the rain, the speed at which it falls, it's length of time, and the size of the drops.  We focus on the wind and the thunder, and find ourselves listening less to what's on the radio and the television shows, and more on the sound that it makes against the rooftop. 

I love the rain. 

I love the way it sounds.  Growing up in the Northwest, the rainshower evening performance frequently became my nightly lullabye.  An orchestra of rain drops on a rooftop is comforting to me.  I love the way it smells.  You'll find me, during the heaviest of storms, opening the windows, not caring if the window sill becomes a little damp, because I crave that rain smell.  I want it in my room.  I want it on my sheets.  It's cleansing and it's organic.  I love the way the earth smells after the rain.  That kicked up dirt smell. 

Yes, I know how cliche this all sounds from me.  I know that Seattle is known for it's rain.  But you know what?  Sometimes, I don't even care that it has that label.  Because, rain storms slow the day down for me. They center me and relax me. 

Yesterday, at work, everyone complained about how much rain we were getting.  One of the dining rooms flooded.  People couldn't take their smoke breaks because of the downpour.  We had to run to our cars without umbrellas or jackets.   And do you know what I said?

" I love the rain. It reminds me of home."

So today, we took our day off inside, and woke up to the morning showers.  That pitter patter woke me up a little bit early, but instantly put me in a good mood. 

We opened the screen door and let that air in.  I let Lilly out on her rope and revelled in the wet grass with my bare feet.  I don't care, this is how I was raised.  I popped in "When Harry Met Sally" because sometimes, rain makes you want to watch a movie. 

Once it stopped, we went about our day.  Which is a lot easier when it rains because the humidity goes away a little bit and it's okay to wear jeans and a tshirt all of a sudden.  Another reminder of Seattle weather. 

You know what Harrisburg?  I think that your summer storms are one of the greatest things about the summers here.