reassurance, delivered in a rainbow
SOMETIMES I NEED A LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT–we all do, right? The recent pounding snowstorms and resulting garden losses, a book deadline that’s trying to unhinge me–and, frankly, the relentless headlines, week after week, detailing a world in upheaval. And then, as if it heard that I could use a hug, just as dawn broke yesterday there was this. I actually think it was a double–see the hint of a second rainbow on the right side of the photo? Any rainbows or other positive vibrations in your corner of the sky? Do share!
What a beautiful photo, Margaret! Seeing a double rainbow can’t help but bring encouragement.
We are usually gardening late into the year because the dahlia tubers cannot be dug and stored until after a good frost, and the right frost came late this year. Although I miss the beautiful weather and flowers, winter is always welcome to me. I “garden” at my sewing machine, growing soft toys, teddies and dolls for our grands and greats; curtains and pillows for the house; and blankets and caps for new babies, wherever they are. Happy winter.
Sincerely, Rita in Kansas City
Of course you are allowed, Margaret, to lean on your double rainbow for encouragement! Those moments come when you least expect them. Thank you for being a constant source of inspiration for me, and countless others … you are our “positive vibration”! xoxo
Hi Margaret. My husband died suddenly and unexpectedly on June 2. I returned to the yoga class that we went to together a few weeks later. After the class a few of us were in the habit of going out to lunch together. We continued without him. While sitting on the patio eating our sandwiches, we looked up in the sky to see a most amazing rainbow. It was a straight, long horizontal line across the sky. As we sat there it started to turn upward in the shape of a smile. Since then, for my friends and me, all rainbows are called Bob.
Hi, Karen. Now that you have shared your story, I suspect I will call them all “Bob,” too. I have not seen one smile, as you describe, but now I expect that I will. Thanks for saying hello with such a tender story.
Hi Margaret. I’m on the other side of the world so we’re gearing up for a hot Australian summer but like you I recently marvelled at the beauty of a spectacular rainbow, here’s a link to a shot of it in full https://www.flickr.com/photos/unfolding_story/6340259976/ and another of the end of the rainbow https://www.flickr.com/photos/unfolding_story/6339512653/
Hi, Karen, from The Far Side. :) I love the one of the rainbow’s end! Mine was blocked from view by many trees between me and it at ground level. See you soon again, and happy summer, right?
Hi, Judy. I have been pretty amazed at the recent sunsets (and sunrises, too, most mornings) here as well, and yes: the moon! This leafless time of year and the changing light has its treats.
See you all soon again I hope!
I definitely view a rainbow as a portend of good things or a change of luck. None around my little slice of heaven but we have been having some spectacular sunrises and sunsets these days and I happened to snap the same sunset (we’re in northern Jersey) that you featured a few days ago. Tonight however, as I was walking the dogs, we had a sliver of the new moon that you picture someone sitting on and I always see that as special. I’m content, garden-wise, because we finished the leaves today: half mulch-mowed to mix with next year’s veggie scraps for compost & half taken to the town big pile. I have a handful of shrub-lettes to deal with before it gets really cold and need to decide on one more peony to complete the new peony/iris patio border I did this year and then I’m done! Good luck with your deadline; get outside tomorrow & enjoy this bonus weather!
By the time November came, I was tuckered out from garden chores; after a robust season of veggies, it seems like it took forever to put food by, get the wood ready, and put away all that was summer. Retired from a life of teaching, I look forward now to the next couple months. Aside from the holidays and all they promise, the winter also brings solitude, reading, rug-hooking, and contemplation. A different and welcome rhythm.
Nov. 27, 2011
Here’s a snapshot of the sunrise on Friday, day after Thanksgiving. It was dry and beautiful here in our neck of the woods (Seattle-ish). I love God’s signatures!
Thanks Jody Lee, for saying hello. You could email me the photo or post on Facebook if you like. :)
Love the rainbow photo! I think my daily rainbows are my kids’ smiles and the little things they do to remind me that I don’t have to be a perfect mom — they love me just the way I am.
Godt billede.
Jeg ser to fine regnbuer.
Tak for kigget.
We’ve been dealt a difficult year — the declining health of my elderly in-laws, a horribly heavy load at work which has me thinking “is this even worth it?”, the ups and downs of running the family farm, worries about money, kids’ activities spreading us so thin. While drowning in my self-imposed pity party, it’s been really hard for me to find the beauty of life at times. My husband has started texting me photos of sunsets, deer, wild turkeys, & glorious blue skies as he sees them from the seat of his combine. His love and thoughtfulness as well as the true beauty of nature have been helping me out of this hole. Things always get better. We just have to be reminded of it once in a while. Happy Thanksgiving!
This warm weather has felt like a gift to me, although I know it indicates ominous changes in the climate. It’s been wonderful to have time for ALL the fall chores, like cutting out the old raspberry canes, cleaning out the perennial beds, building up a nice sized leaf pile, winterizing the chicken coop, putting away the wheelbarrows and tools, getting the storm windows up without freezing our hands off, etc, etc. My husband has been trying to finish a deck project here by himself, after the neighbor we hired broke his arm (somewhere else!), and is almost, almost done. One stairs railing to go.
This weekend I went over to a huge evergreen to see if I could work the soil to add some cyclamen. When I was examining the area kneeling on the ground I found some little cyclamen leaves tucked under the boughs. Back in 2008 I had experimented and sowed about 100 seeds. The following spring I saw nothing, so thought the experiment had failed. Well you can imagine my delight to see they had germinated. It is always amazing the process of seed germinating, but this was really amazing as they are not the easiest to grow in the garden for me, especially coum, the spring blooming ones. On the same day, I discovered a few hellebores in bloom and one lone snowdrop! Those were my rainbows this weekend. Happy Thanksgiving Margaret and all!
Definitely a double rainbow :-)
How about the sunrise I saw one morning last week! Picture on my blog here
https://thejourneytosomewhere.blogspot.com/2011/11/happy-days.html, along with other happy happenings
@Joanna – we had a similar sunset last week – not too far from Margaret, but a world away from you! https://www.flickr.com/photos/shiraf/6341358951/in/photostream
I was once lifted out of the doldrums by a glorious rainbow that arced across the river opposite our house and ended on our front path. I’ve never seen a rainbow’s end before (pot of gold apparently on the OTHER end.)
The rain held off Saturday long enough for me to belatedly mow the leaves that were absolutely carpeting the back yard. It’s been so hectic at work, I am WAAAY behind on my fall cleanup… and now after the time change, I can only get out there on the weekends. So I’m grateful the weather allowed for me to work on it this weekend.
(I mow leaves with the bag on the mower and dump the shredded leaves in their own pile behind the shed, to make leaf mould.)
This rainbow is a “rainbow” for me on a dreary Monday morning. Thanks!
Hi, Patricia. It was really spectacular, and such a surprise. I don’t recall seeing on at dawn before, on a dry day.
Hi, Nolie — and oh, yes, I agree, both on the downside and upside!
Hope to see you both soon again. And some more rainbows, too…
The fairly warm temparatures and sunny skies of the past week here I. Southern Vermont allowed me to belatedly get in a whole bunch of tulip bulbs. Something to look forward to!
I’ve notice in my few decades that life consists mainly of cleaning up, surviving the storms (I’ve survived two tornadoes and the resulting damage to the garden) and learning to dance in the rain. Gardens reflect life in that they need constant “clean-up”. By keeping your senses open you discover the wonder (rainbows, color, wonderful aromas, birds, night sounds, stars, warm wind, the sound of wind through the pines, the chance to start again). Nolie
I just appreciate that you still see a rainbow as a sign of encouragement, a hug, a sign of hope or a promise. Not many do anymore. Have a nice Thanksgiving.