Raining @ The Temple

 

Today’s weather is a repeat from yesterday and the day before that and a copy of what will be tomorrow’s forecast. Spring / summer rain has adorned the landscape. After a fairly dry season, our trees and bushes and weeds are getting a good drink before the heat comes to bring muggy air. It is not Texas but it will be warm enough soon. All the trimming plans will soon be overgrown with lose of desire to whack at them, even with my new toys. The good side is I don’t have to water.

The windows are foggy and the air is thicker as there is no time to dry out before the next rain. Still the sun is out so making a run for it.

So, as every other day, I plan my trip to the Tummy Temple. The temperature is rising but yesterday was sweater weather. The radar says I can squeak in-between the fronts, so I’m off to semi-wet streets. With little traffic I can weave between the puddles trying to keep my socks dry. Lock up just as a few drops land.

Don’t require many items so maybe I can make it out before the rain comes?

As I walk my miracle mile, I suddenly hear the rumble on the flat roof. That is heavy rain.

I’ve been in this building for years, through many weather conditions. I’ve been here when the lights went out and the staff asked everyone to go to the back of the store for the gigantic windows at the front were shaking under the pressure. I’ve arrived wet, being caught in the droplets. I’m used to riding in the rain.

After my purchase and ID’ OK by the woman who is the most obvious to avoid me and must be instructed by another to attend me. I look through the glass but the rain doesn’t appear that heavy so I push my cart outside under the shelter a few feet from my pony.

It was a steady rain under a gray sky. I watched as puddles filled and waited. Some of the congregation scuffled from their metal mobile machines under rubber protection and ducking if the drops could be avoided in a crouched position. Some groaned and moaned as if a few drops of water were ruining their day.

I turned to the other exit but you can’t escape the weather. Some would come out and put up a hood and make a dash for their mobile shelter while others waited for the arrival of a dry chariot to whisk them back to their shelter with the new purchased grub to munch on while watching the weather report.

What is interesting when you are waiting in the queue for a break in the rain, strangers talk. While I stand quietly with my zip cart containing 2- six-packs of bullets, blueberries and cocktail peanuts, people will talk to me. I don’t initiate the conversation but can politely respond.

There was an elderly looking man with a cart full of ‘stuff’ staring into the parking lot. We didn’t speak for minutes and then he mumbled something. I have no idea what he said, but smiled and replied something positive. He mumbled something else so I went back to the other exit.

Then passing people started talking to me. I was not guarding the entrance to the outside world but just waiting for drops in the puddles to decrease for a break out. Some would offer to escort me to my vehicle with their umbrella. Some lined up as if I was to dive into the water, they would follow. Some lined up and discussed who would run to the car and drive back to rescue the others. Some just declared themselves prisons of the weather and got soaked, even bringing back their carts.

A few had nice conversations with the waiting man as the weather shifted from almost dying to really trying in waves of wetness. It is interesting to just stand and watch and listen to the everyday.

After an amount of time I did not measure, the drops lessen and could wipe off my pony who got a good bath, and head back to the place I call home with a few interesting thoughts from nameless strangers in mind. If you noticed, I did not check my phone for a weather report?

I made it home somewhat damp but otherwise unscathed. In the window of sunlight, I feed the yard their buffet and toileted off. No worse for wear or tear and enjoying the friendly neighbors enjoying their daily feast.