SOME MORNINGS WHEN IT IS RAINING IN ANDREVILLE, and our dear doodler Andre Jordan walks his dog, he sees her: the lady next door, sitting in her kitchen, peering out intently, waiting for the moment when she can get back outside. “I can see her staring out the window, waiting for the rain to stop,” he says, “and it always reminds me just how much joy a garden brings to a person.” And how hard to be separated from one’s beloved, no? Even for a single rainy day.
The latest doodle makes me think of a few older, tender ones Andre’s drawn for us about longing, including these:
- The message from a little bird.
- And even this one, of a wriggly reunion.
- Or this thank-you note a Christmas or two ago.
You can always browse through the thumbnail images of Andre’s garden doodles starting at this link. Enjoy.
Oh, Andre, you hit the nail on the head for me today. In the past two weeks we’ve had 5.5 inches of rain. I can’t even weed, let alone put anything into the ground. Last night I thought maybe after a beautiful sunny day I could get in there, but when I went to look there was an unnatural sheen across the top of the soil.
So I am with your neighbor, sitting, watching, waiting.
Please send the rain this way! It threatens but doesn’t happen and hauling around a 100 foot hose is my new weekend activity. Fun.
A dear gardening friend once advised me to “dance between the raindrops.” I try to always remember that when I’m working in a rain storm.
Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island
what would be nice here would be to get normal rain – but we get hot hot hotter then thunder storm like you have never seen – then hot hot hotter.
Sharon, that’s good advice to “dance between the raindrops”. I just need some dry shoes!!!
Seriously, I was once on the island of Terschelling (Netherlands) in June. The gardens were amazing — and the weather most days was cool and drizzly. So I guess it’s not always a bad thing to be wet.
But 5 inches in two weeks? TOO MUCH RAIN!
A little bit of rain isn’t going to melt you! Dash out during the breaks, or just suit up and go for it. Once you get used to the wet gloves you’ll be fine. (Then again, us Portlanders don’t have much of a choice).
Welcome, Portlandgardengeek. Nothing like a rain suit (overalls and hooded jacket) in April here…invaluable gear! I actually have two sets, for when the first one gets soaked. :) Nice to see you, and hope to soon again.