Water, Water Everywhere
The sky darkened and with no more
warning than a single roll of thunder, the rain began. It washed down the roof,
overflowing the gutters and splattering through the screens to wet the bricks
of the patio.
We quickly moved the seat cushions to
the other side of the porch but I left one on a wicker chair. I love summer
storms and wasn’t about to huddle inside. Rain continued hard enough to wash
away the spilled charcoal dust from the grill where my birthday dinner had been
cooked. The remnants of the party disappeared, but not the warm feelings of
contentment I tucked away in my heart.
The rain lessened then grew stronger
again and yet the sun shone on a patch of green grass along the side of the
house. Pitter-patter; drip-drip. You know what it sounds like running down the
gutter pipes and dripping off the house. If it continues, I will sleep out on
the porch tonight. I can’t hear the rain inside behind bricks and insulation.
It reminds me of summers past, camping at the lake in a canvas tent. “Don’t
touch the roof,” Dad admonished as it would make the canvas leak. Yet someone
invariably would. If there wasn’t lightning, we’d play in the rain; even swim
in the lake. After all, it was summer and we were at the lake to get wet.
Another round, coming hard enough to rush
down the street like an overflowing river. A curtain, obscuring the trees
across the way. The smell of rain. You can’t describe it but anyone else will
understand exactly what you mean.
“Why are you out here?” my grandson asked.
“Writing about the rain.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s there.”
*************
I recently read a book about how water
can make you happier, healthier and of a better frame of mind. While most of
the book was more scientific than I could understand, the gist was that we need
water in our lives. Not only to drink, but to be near, in, on or even under water.
While I don’t live near a body of water, I realized how often water, in its various forms, plays an important part in my novels.
“Prelude and Promises” is set on a small island, thus surrounded by water. “Hold on to the Past” takes place on a river.
“Spinning through Time” has a dramatic and tragic scene on a frozen pond. “A
Game of Love”, set in Boston, has a close connection to the Boston Harbor. And
the list goes on.
I also love writing thunderstorms into
my novels; water cutting rivulets down a dirt street; ominous cracks of thunder
awakening my characters in the middle of a dark night. You don’t have to wait
for the next time it rains to curl up with a copy of “Love in Disguise” and
find out just how diverting the rain can be when it keeps Max and Abby from
pursuing a killer. Find all my books on my website or through the Books We Love link below.
Best wishes for a wildly wet new year!
Barbara Baldwin
