Where I live in south west England it rains a lot. It’s raining now and I can hear the tune the rain is making as it drips onto our aluminium guttering and down the fall pipe by my bedroom door. There's an irregular rhythm and two or three high notes, then there’s a base note from the rain hitting the roof tiles. Thank you so much for making me truly listen. A lesson for life that the rain gives us.
Thank you for taking me back to the Ming gardens in Suzhou. I have lots of happy memories of rain in that part of the world. I especially remember the drizzle, which I heard called 毛毛雨 "mao mao yu" with 毛 meaning hair and 雨, rain.
What a beautiful description! It reminds me that I am only a beginner in my efforts to listen to the world around me and to try to describe it. I am in awe of that wisdom. Thank you for sharing it with me.
I'm also in CA--not too far from you--and so grateful for the rain and for your beautiful post: your words, your photos, the quotes--the Isak Dineson (I love that book), the Whitman, and "Night Rain" that I wouldn't have known without you. What paradox and what loveliness you've created here. You make my heart sing!
I remember you experienced that crazy wind and the horrible fires, it really felt apocalyptic. Now receiving this early drenching has felt dreamlike. Thank you Mary for the thoughtful response.
This is so beautiful, Leslie. And hearing your voice adds to it.
Imagine having the foresight to plan a garden and grace it with plants for the different sounds the rain will make as it falls upon them. I found this idea so meaningful.
Yes, me too. The ground where I live absorbs the rain almost instantly, so it doesn't get real muddy. The only time I see a lot of mud is when the ground is chewed up by tires, horses or livestock. My daughter lives in New Hampshire and they have a whole 'mud season'. I think that would make a difference in my daily enjoyment! I learn new things writing the posts and I love to share. Thanks for the lovely restack and note!
What a wonderful meditation on rain along with your beautiful photos, Leslie! Rain has so many personalities, doesn't it?!
I lived in South Africa for three years during a drought - waiting and hoping for rain. During that time I learned that the currency of Botswana is the Pula - which translates as rain. Living without rain for so long, I could feel the truth that rain is valued far beyond the paper currency.
Personalities, yes! How interesting to name the currency after rain. What a recognition of the incomparable value of water! Now I am wondering what other interesting values are reflected in names for money or currency.
I love listening to rain on the roof at night. My upstairs is somewhat like an attic, so the sound is magnified beyond what I was used to before moving into this house, and I have really come to appreciate it.
Hi Claire, Isn't that the way a new home become part of your life. Its sounds become the familiar and comforting, slowly but surely. IMy bedroom has three outside walls with windows on all of them. A hard rain can really drum. Thank you for sharing your sounds of rain.
Leslie this is so beautiful. The idea that so many natural plants, rocks, trees, etc generate a different sound is lovely and fascinating. Picking different plants for the garden based on how the rain will sound… magnificent!
It is all so related, these are ancient thoughts from quieter times. But I think we can craft our own spaces that offer us more peace. Birdsong is one of the most relaxing sounds as are water features like fountains. I wish I understood more of the science, I try to observe.
Where I live in south west England it rains a lot. It’s raining now and I can hear the tune the rain is making as it drips onto our aluminium guttering and down the fall pipe by my bedroom door. There's an irregular rhythm and two or three high notes, then there’s a base note from the rain hitting the roof tiles. Thank you so much for making me truly listen. A lesson for life that the rain gives us.
Thank you, Liz, for sharing your moment and experience with such detail. I’m very grateful for the contribution to the conversation.
Thank you for taking me back to the Ming gardens in Suzhou. I have lots of happy memories of rain in that part of the world. I especially remember the drizzle, which I heard called 毛毛雨 "mao mao yu" with 毛 meaning hair and 雨, rain.
What a beautiful description! It reminds me that I am only a beginner in my efforts to listen to the world around me and to try to describe it. I am in awe of that wisdom. Thank you for sharing it with me.
I'm also in CA--not too far from you--and so grateful for the rain and for your beautiful post: your words, your photos, the quotes--the Isak Dineson (I love that book), the Whitman, and "Night Rain" that I wouldn't have known without you. What paradox and what loveliness you've created here. You make my heart sing!
I remember you experienced that crazy wind and the horrible fires, it really felt apocalyptic. Now receiving this early drenching has felt dreamlike. Thank you Mary for the thoughtful response.
This is so beautiful, Leslie. And hearing your voice adds to it.
Imagine having the foresight to plan a garden and grace it with plants for the different sounds the rain will make as it falls upon them. I found this idea so meaningful.
Thanks for letting me know you listened, Paulette. You are the first to mention it!
I am always happy when it's raining. This post is lovely, and as I typically do, I've learned a thing or two I didn't know about rain! Thank you.
Yes, me too. The ground where I live absorbs the rain almost instantly, so it doesn't get real muddy. The only time I see a lot of mud is when the ground is chewed up by tires, horses or livestock. My daughter lives in New Hampshire and they have a whole 'mud season'. I think that would make a difference in my daily enjoyment! I learn new things writing the posts and I love to share. Thanks for the lovely restack and note!
What a wonderful meditation on rain along with your beautiful photos, Leslie! Rain has so many personalities, doesn't it?!
I lived in South Africa for three years during a drought - waiting and hoping for rain. During that time I learned that the currency of Botswana is the Pula - which translates as rain. Living without rain for so long, I could feel the truth that rain is valued far beyond the paper currency.
Personalities, yes! How interesting to name the currency after rain. What a recognition of the incomparable value of water! Now I am wondering what other interesting values are reflected in names for money or currency.
I love listening to rain on the roof at night. My upstairs is somewhat like an attic, so the sound is magnified beyond what I was used to before moving into this house, and I have really come to appreciate it.
Hi Claire, Isn't that the way a new home become part of your life. Its sounds become the familiar and comforting, slowly but surely. IMy bedroom has three outside walls with windows on all of them. A hard rain can really drum. Thank you for sharing your sounds of rain.
Leslie this is so beautiful. The idea that so many natural plants, rocks, trees, etc generate a different sound is lovely and fascinating. Picking different plants for the garden based on how the rain will sound… magnificent!
It is all so related, these are ancient thoughts from quieter times. But I think we can craft our own spaces that offer us more peace. Birdsong is one of the most relaxing sounds as are water features like fountains. I wish I understood more of the science, I try to observe.