“Weather means more when you have a garden. There’s nothing like listening to a shower and thinking how it is soaking in around your green beans.”
~Marcelene Cox
I am so grateful for the rain. This week, we’ve had at least a little sprinkle every single day.
Yesterday afternoon, we had the most delicious sunshower. In fact, “sunshower” is my new vocabulary word for the week, a serendipitous discovery I made when trying to look up a quote from a George MacDonald novel.
Well, it might be from George MacDonald, and it might not. I’m no longer so sure. Something about the sun shining on the rain, and the rain falling on the sun. A little girl character says it. Of that I’m almost sure. Does that sound familiar to you? (If you can place that quote, I’d be in alt if you’d drop me a line.)
Anyway, that’s what was happening here. The sun was shining on the raindrops, and the rain was pouring down on the sunbeams. No cache of diamonds could ever compete with the sparkle. I was transfixed by the beauty, especially just after the rain stopped, and the eaves continued to drip steadily, forming a shimmering, gold-beaded curtain.
Just beneath the beaded curtain, puddles formed, and the droplets spread their perfect ripples over and over, each circle of influence running into another’s circle until the whole thing became a work of modern art: geometry and light.
Why didn’t I get out my camera, you ask.
Well, I did. But the light was already fading by then. And I am always a little bit happy when I forget to photograph something, or only remember too late. Experience should be immediate and true, or I’ll lose the fire of inspiration and the artistic and creative connection with Nature, with life, that I crave. It saddens me when I come across a blogger who has lost sight of that in her determination to photograph every detail of her life. Reflection and documentation and creation should be, in my opinion, byproducts of the original interaction with the moment.
I also wonder if that mania for documenting every lovely moment is merely a display of our doubt of the natural abundance of our lives. Last Christmas, I fell prey to this insidious mistrust. Looking back, I know now that I was afraid, with my garden photography days “behind me” for the season, my little vegetable garden dormant, that I wouldn’t have anything left to blog about — and so I took picture after picture of our family gatherings, the food, the table arrangements, the torn giftwrapping sprawled inelegantly across my parents’ wood floors.
At one point, my mother pulled me aside and asked me, gently, to come out from behind the lens. She pointed out that photographs were no substitute for being part of the action.
Of course she was right.
It is my experience that there are always more opportunities for photos than we can possibly use. I find myself in exactly this posture with regard to my story ideas. If I were to live for 500 years, I’d never get to all the good ones in my notebooks. That’s just the way it is. The world is bursting with creative energy. That’s no reason to get in a hurry, to become anxious and afraid to miss something great.
As Minor White said, “Spirit always stands still long enough for the photographer it has chosen.” In this instance, the sun’s rays lingered on the upper curves of the cherry tomatoes just long enough for me to capture a bit of that leftover glow. The dark clouds were rolling in after the rainstorm, just to increase my sense of being in some Alice-in-Wonderland-type space, or in an unannounced game of cosmic Opposite Day.
I wonder if that strange sequence of events was meant to remind me that nothing is really impossible. Maybe – probably — it’s not really important to know.
Namasté y’all.
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Sunshowers are such amazing gifts of nature. And you’re so right about living in the experience instead of always documenting it. I’ve fallen into the photography trap. Now that I’ve escaped it again, I find that my memory is pretty good at capturing things too.
Lisahgolden´s last blog ..You Can Hire Me- Bring Me Back After a Session
Memory is essential for a writer, too.
Congratulations on that completed first draft, Lisa. I’m so proud of you!
I just wanted to bite right into that tomato through my computer screen…amazing.
a little slow getting here but well worth it…thanks so much for the kind birthday wishes. you really touched my heart.
one love, new friend.
Se’lah, wish I could send you some of our overflow of cherry tomatoes. As it is, the neighbors are happy.
So glad you could stop by. I think a lot of bloggers are very busy/overwhelmed right now. Can’t wait for my next visit to your place!
Your tomatoes are luscious Meredith! The perfect photo and one that was waiting for you no doubt. Your words convey the magic of the sounds, sights and smells of rain dropping all around with the sun dancing on each drop. Magical. Yes, we should just be in the moment much of the time… thank goodness for low batteries and full memory cards. ;>))
Carolflowerhillfarm´s last blog ..Wildflower Wednesday Wonder Asclepias syriaca
Haha, your last line is perfect. Yes, I’m grateful for when things like that go “wrong.”
Thank you for that lovely comment, Carol.
Ah, the beauty of sunshowers! The mind’s eye is the finest photographer there is
The tomatoes in your shot look delectable, Meredith!
Talon´s last blog ..Dog daze
“The mind’s eye is the finest photographer there is.”
Ah, Talon. Even in comments, your way with words is inimitable.
It would have been difficult to capture the image of the raindrops and sun any better than your have with your words. I can see it in my mind. Many of the best moments can’t be adequately photographed anyway, in my opinion.
villager´s last blog ..Small But Mighty Wonder
You’re so right, Villager. I’d say those kind of moments are best recorded by the heart.
Thank you for those kind words.
I’ve missed many moments with my camera, but few that I truly regret. I still experienced those moments, I just didn’t have an opportunity to share them. I think some of the itch to capture everything, whether in pictures, or in writing, at least for me, is a fear of forgetting. You’re right though, it’s too easy to become caught up in catching exquisite details, and miss experiencing the moment for ourselves. I agree with Villager, no image could have captured your sunshower nearly as perfectly as your words did.
Curbstone Valley Farm´s last blog ..Ginger- Snapped!
Clare, as I get older and my memory gets more cheese-cloth-like, I’m inclined to seeing “fear of forgetting” as a rational fear. Otherwise, I’d say fear of forgetting translates as an inability to let go, or a fear that there won’t be many more moments of equal grace, that there is only a limited supply of goodness and beauty out there. I’ve even wondered since childhood if my desire to write it all down is some kind of attempt to build a buffer against mortality, the ultimate way of holding on as long as possible.
But that’s definitely only my interpretation! Thank goodness for all 6+ billion walking interpretations of life out there.
Oh, and I’m touched by your compliment. Thanks.
What a beautiful photo! And a beautiful word. We often have rain while the sun is shining here in Florida and it never fails to amaze me. Now I have a word for it!
Kathy´s last blog ..The Upside of Fear
Glad you liked the photo, Kathy — and glad I could pass on my new vocabulary words. I love finding new words for things, especially when those words are evocative or interesting or pretty or weird or poetic.
I had no idea Florida experienced sunshowers often. Of course, it makes sense.
We could use more rain. We have had a very dry summer.
meemsnyc´s last blog ..Garden- Before and After
I do hope you get it, Meems, whatever you need! Drought is so hard. Even after a week of intermittent showers, I think we’re still officially in one here, too.
Let it rain down….
Dear Meredith, For me it is the way in which you describe your thoughts, feelings and what is happening as well as your very carefully chosen images which makes your postings so very appealing. At the end of the day, though, if choices have to be made, then it is the experience, recorded or not, which counts for so much more than any picture can show.
Edith Hope´s last blog ..Things My Mother Told Me
What a lovely, generous compliment! Thank you, Edith.
And I agree with you completely.
One of my family members walks around with the camera in her hand – I’ve said to her that couldn’t we just visit with my uncle in the nursing home rather than posing around him? I like to have a photograph on my blog with my posts to add visual interest though. The good news is that I don’t generally have to seek them out – they tend to happen along the way.
Luscious looking tomato – I love the glisten.
Lynn´s last blog ..Meandering- ghosts and enjoying the view
Oh, posing is the worst! At least I didn’t go so far as to pose my family members when I went overboard…
I like how your “good things” seem to find you, Lynn, whether visual and waiting to be photographed or otherwise.
That glisten is my favorite part.
Good thing I’m not a rabbit or that tomato would be a goner. Yes your mother was right. There is life out from behind the lens. Smart woman. Still there is something about taking that one picture that tells it all. Then again, I now have a picture in my mind of the sunrain from your painting of words. Thank you.
desk49´s last blog ..A Blind Man-
You’re right, Ellis. Taking that one picture that’s “worth a thousand words” is a goal worth working towards. Thank you for that thoughtful comment.
Meredith I can taste that Tomato. Great photo, sure did capture the moment.
Have a wonderful day,
John
JWLW´s last blog ..WHATS THIS
Thanks, JW! I wish you the same (only a bit belated.
)
So true about living in the here and now.
Susie @newdaynewlesson´s last blog ..When You Get Used To Something It’s Hard To Do Without
I guess it’s the only place and time we ever get to live…
That tomato looks like a little packet of sunshower. Lovely words and can a picture be fragrant? I can almost smell that spicy, citrus-y tomato scent.
Yan, I’d guess that yes, sometimes a photo could be fragrant — if the fragrance is already in you.
Just like whenever someone finds a photo beautiful, I know they, too, must have Beauty inside…
Lovely, Meredith.
Lovely photo, lovely blog.
Blessings.
k d mccrite´s last blog ..The Writer and Parenting
Lovely comment.
I’m so touched, kd. Thank you.
Sometimes I think that our need to take so many photographs is related to our fear that we won’t be able to write about the experience in such a way that no photograph is necessary. You write so beautifully! Who needs lots of photos when your writing prompts beautiful pictures in our minds?
And that makes me think of why I love reading so much! Totally unrelated to your blog, but. . ..
Ginny´s last blog ..Dog days
Ginny, I may have to frame your comment. I feel really great right about now.
That is why I, too, love reading. F. was complaining about the bad c.g.i. on an old sci-fi we were watching yesterday, and I said I didn’t mind because I like engaging my imagination, just like when reading. The mind’s eye may be the one with the clearest vision.
Thank you!
I saw a sunshower once. Just once. It was a wall of light rain on one side of the street. I walked into it when I crossed over from the dry side. It was… surreal. And brilliant!
Yup, I agree that it can be hard to just live in the present and appreciate each moment for what it is. Distracting oneself from that for the sake of snapping away with a camera can be a detriment at times, for sure. What we need are camera eyes, like something out of a cyberpunk novel. That way we could take happy snaps without even thinking about it!
I love those wall-of-rain phenomena, especially when you can see the water marching towards you or the bits of cloud breaking off in the distance. Gives me chills — but in a good way.
Cyberpunk novels do have some gems. But if we did it without consciousness, where would the art go?
What a happy post, Meredith! I’ve been away and am doing some catching up tonight, and I was particularly taken with the thought that Experience should be immediate and true. We do very often hide behind the lens and forget to engage. Thank you for reminding me of that.
jodi (bloomingwriter)´s last blog ..Why we love plants- part the leventy-leventh
Jodi, it’s such a pleasure to have you back, even if it’s only a brief visit. Thank you for your thoughtful comment — and I’m so glad you found the post “happy.” Lately my lovely commenters can’t seem to decide if they think I am happy or sad.
I think I’m both, or maybe everything, all at once. “A creative mess,” as hubby would say.
I do hope the manuscript is going well, and coming in right on deadline!
Your blog always makes me smile, and think. Thank you.
I rarely take photos of people. I seem to have better luck with bugs. What does that say about me? (Probably that my friends have little patience for having a lens jammed in their business.)
Lisa´s last blog ..Bittersweet
Lisa, thank *you* for the lovely words. I am terrible with shots of people, too — and I think for the same reason you mention. Most people get self-conscious when they see me there with the camera. I can empathize. One friend of mine was in film school when he began carrying around his camera *everywhere* — and I could never relax, knowing that thing was in the room, maybe pointed at me. Blech!
Have to learn the art of unobtrusiveness first, I guess.
Meredith,
So much in this post..thank you:)
Those lovely tomatoes so ripe looking and delicious..I eat them like candy, let them pop in my mouth with a burst of delight:)
A sunshower sounds delightful…A reminder of the splendid beauty around us, when we are aware..
As far as photos..I used to take numerous photos..until I put down the camera and began to *live*…Now I’ve picked up the camera again on the advice of others who say my children should have a few photos in their life…As long as I enjoy the process and it doesn’t distract me from our time..
I will say this..many people are shocked to find out. I do not have photos of my two great relational Loves ..and I do not have photos from my favorite sailing trips..I always believe these memories–my loves and all that I experience on the ocean are etched in my heart, part of my essence..and I wouldn’t even know how to begin to photograph that..
Wait, honestly, then as I write I realize..last year I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer (which I’ve beaten)..and that is when I began taking photos..when others said my children should have something to look back upon..although I firmly believe *I* and the moment we share are etched in their very being as well…
Having said that, I love looking at yours and others photos..delights my heart every time..so I’m glad you find joy in taking and sharing them…
Joy´s last blog ..Fearless Fun Friday- Creating A Masterpiece
Joy, I am not shocked. For a long time, I resisted the lure of the camera, thinking people were a bit nutty who kept logs and scrapbooks of every detail of their lives — until one morning I woke up and started a blog, LOL.
Seriously, though, I have now realized that I’ve done almost the exact same thing as the camera-lovers, for over two decades now: keeping a daily journal. In one case, it’s trying to capture the moments that pass externally, the outside reality, and in the other, I would say it’s an inside job, a snapshot of the persona, if you will. 
Thank you for contributing your beautiful and thoughtful ideas to the conversation. I’ll be by your blog again soon for a dose of inspiration!
Sometimes a photo, or a story or a blog post is better when it isn’t rushed. Just like a good glass of red wine. I often have an idea that I want to write about, and often it improves if I sit with that idea for 24 hours. It gains a depth to it, and a life of it’s own. We don’t need to rush around snapping shots or ideas incase we miss something, there will always be something magical to capture.
LL Cool Joe´s last blog ..Why do you answer every question with another one
You’re so right, Joe! I can’t tell how many drafts I have sitting waiting right now. Probably over a dozen. The idea seems to mold themselves while I go about my daily life — and sometimes when I come back to it, I can jump right in and write something better than I’d first envisioned.
I love that last line. “There will always be something magical to capture.” Yes.
Meredith, I saw you posted on Garden337 about the Mondrian Bug. I saw one in my yard that same day. I am a Master Gardener with our local extension, and I asked to have the entomologist identify it. You can see my latest post on the ailanthus webworm. Cute little devil.