Friday, February 18, 2011

W'y rain's my choice

Street lights shine down throughout my neighborhood, but I was wishing I'd brought a flashlight nonetheless when I went out earlier this evening with my umbrella to deliver a package that had been delivered to the wrong house. In this town we have confusing arrangements of names and streets. Today's error resulted from something like this: One address is 5211 Fred St and the other is 5211 Frank St, with Fred and Frank being short loops off of Fritz St.

Our mixed-up houses are only two blocks from each other, so it didn't make sense to drive over there. I would get wetter climbing in and out of the car than if I just took a short walk. I had to strain to see the house numbers, even the ones that have a light behind them. Until I got my bearings I took a few steps up two or three driveways in order to read the addresses.

Rivers of water flowed across the sidewalks, in many places pooling into lakes before they reached the gutter. But that's not a problem if you have sturdy galoshes like mine. I found that my mind was singing the first stanza of a poem that I learned from Goldilocks when she came for her sewing lesson yesterday, barefoot because her boots had gotten soaked at recess.

This very night her school is having a fundraiser and all the students are reciting together:

It hain't no use to grumble and complane;
      It's jest as cheap and easy to rejoice.—
When God sorts out the weather and sends rain,
      W'y rain's my choice.

That's only the first fun verse of James Whitcomb Riley's "Wet-weather Talk." I bet the children are all glad that we've been having steady downpours for a few days, because that will help the audience get into the spirit of the poem that goes on for a few more stanzas exhorting us not to be "lockin' horns with Providence."

We are likely to rejoice in rain here in dry California. I was also happy to go on a little expedition, and only slightly disappointed when no one answered the door; I left the package on the step and came home again. I passed a man whose taxi was just driving away, and he laughed and said, "Another fine night for a walk!" and I answered with the other lyrics that popped into my head, "Splish splash...I'll be takin' a bath...."

But no, I wasn't even very damp when I came in the door to the lovely warm fire that I'd got going a little earlier. The time to write this blog post was also here. It is certainly easy to rejoice when Providence gives me opportunities and the strength to take them.

Of course, other days rejoicing can cost more. But "sufficient to the day is the evil thereof," as the Bible says somewhere. I don't think I need to worry about those other days right now. A Russian proverb says, "Every day is a messenger of God." My little delivery errand turned out to be a gift to myself, and that could only come from God.

12 comments:

Jeannette said...

I love the street example names...

I also wanted to say that I know many people would not understand the importance of a new apron for a person who may not even cook much anymore...but the validation of it and the hope of it and the promise of it...well it spells love in so many different ways.

Cathy said...

I am learning the lesson daily that you conveyed so well in your words, "It is certainy easy to rejoice when Providence gives me opportunities and strength to take them." He is and does everything He promises, rejoicing is the natural result,( or maybe it is a supernatural result).

I enjoyed the vision I had of you rain crusin'!

Leslie said...

I like that you were disappointed when you arrived at the package owners house. This happened to me this past Christmas. We got someone else's package and they got ours. When I drove over there (yep, I drove) no one was home. I felt a little weird taking our rather large package and wondered who was watching me.

Pom Pom said...

I like your walk in the rain. How delightful: children and poems. LOVE!

elizabeth said...

love those lyrics - and they are so true!...

magsmcc said...

Oh you make a walk in the rain sound such a spiritual experience! I don't think Husband thought in quite those terms when he came back from his mountain night walk last Saturday. He stood in the happily tiled hallway sleek like a seal, and just as wet! I have replied to your thought-full comment with another comment on fraise, the jist of which is that Literature is life, I think, and you live your literature.

Gumbo Lily said...

I liked hearing about your walk in the rain and about Goldilocks coming in her bare feet for her lesson. We used to go barefoot and play in our swimsuits in the rain (in July of course).

Your rain is headed our way and will turn to snow....lots of it...so the weatherman says.

Jody

heather west said...

Cute little jingle. I love the rain too.

Suzanne McClendon said...

Hi, I just wanted to let you know that I have enjoyed reading your blog so far. This post about the rain hit home for me. I am not sure how to follow your blog as I don't see a "follow" button, but I plan to come back and visit again. I found you through the "Next Blog" button in the Nav Bar. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful site!

Your sis in Christ,Suz

Unknown said...

Beautifully said :)
I love your blog!

GretchenJoanna said...

Suzanne, if you copy my blog URL and go to your Blogger Dashboard, there is an Add button which will take you to a place where you can paste the URL for the blog you want to follow.

You've reminded me to check that Next button occasionally myself; it's always interesting!

Emily J. said...

Hurrah! kids are still reading James Whitcomb Riley, the Hoosier poet! He was the hero of the county where I grew up. My siblings and I delighted in my grandmother's recitation of "Little Orphant Annie" - especially the "goblins'll git you" part.

Love the Mansfield quote in the later post, too. A good reminder.