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Monday, May 12, 2014

Gut Instincts



The thing about growing older is that you become…experienced.  You know that a certain breeze will bring a storm because it always does, and that when the clouds layer in the sky like fish scales, it will rain the next day.  You know the old adage, “... red sun in the morning, sailors take warning" is true, and when you wake up to a crimson dawn, you plan around it.  You step outdoors on a winter day and inhale the just-from-the-washing-machine-damp smell, and anticipate the snow that's on the way. 

And at our house, we know when a cloudy sky is back-lit from a clearing west and it begins to rain, the situation is ripe for a rainbow.  In this case, we know it by gut, but not by sight, because the neighbors’ trees block the eastern sky where a rainbow would appear.   I used to climb into the car with the camera when those conditions occurred, determined to get to a clear spot where I could capture what I knew was there.  Most times, I arrived too late, the last snippet of a rainbow, fading before me. 

A few days ago, my husband and I were home on a cloudy afternoon.  The sun broke through just as rain started to fall and I thought about hightailing it to the beach for a photo op.  But experience advised me I’d never get there in time, so I shrugged, and joked.  “We have to tell (neighbor) to cut her trees down, because I know there's a rainbow up there, but we can’t see it.”  I forgot something though.  This year, spring is late.  The trees are just leafing out now and that day, they were bare. A few minutes after my fuss, my husband stepped outside.  “Hey, Lize?  You might want to come out here.”   

 Let's call it an obstructed view.  But at least there was one.








17 comments:

Jan Morrison said...

oh yes! The obstruction in this case makes the view all the more precious. Thanks for being a hunter of beauty.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That is one vibrant rainbow! Glad you went out to look.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

Gorgeous photo! A good reminder, too, that just because something isn't "perfect" doesn't mean it isn't beautiful. :)

Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption

Robin said...

That is one freaking gorgeous picture. I actually like the rainbow obscured by the barrenness of the tree. The rainbow is hope and that tree is living in a vacuum of empty right now. What an excellent dichotomy.

Old Kitty said...

It's a stunning pic and the tree adds dimension to the beautiful rainbow!

I'm sure someone told me a long time ago that if I see a group of cows sitting down that it's going to rain! I still don't know how true that is! Take care
x

JJ said...

Love the photo. Photography is something I must learn. I take awful pictures, but the one you have posted is magnificent.

Cie Cheesemeister said...

That's a glorious photo. The rainbow looks so close!
One time several years back I walked and walked with the goal of walking under a rainbow that looked a lot closer than it was. Had I been able to do it, I know an amazing change would have happened if I could have walked under the rainbow!
I'm visiting from the Insecure Writer's Group list. My Insecure Writer Whinge is at The Cheese Whines.

mshatch said...

I just love rainbows *sigh*

'Yellow Rose' Jasmine said...

I love this more than any 'unobstructed' rainbow view I have ever seen. There is just so much more to it.
Had a fleeting moment of gut instinct that passed me by just yesterday. Ah well, I will learn with experience and trust myself next time. Because there is always a next time! (So lucky this time was a case of nothing more than embarrassed and sorry. No permanent damage.)

J.B. Chicoine said...

Funny how no matter how many rainbows we've seen, every new one is just as exciting. With all the rain and sun trying to break through lately, we've had a lot of opportunity to see those pretty arcs,usually in the east, over corn fields.

emaginette said...

Nice work. Timing is everything. :-)

Anna from Shout with Emaginette

Unknown said...

The obstruction makes the view more beautiful!

Empty Nest Insider said...

What a beautiful rainbow! I love how you captured it! Always follow your instincts, Liza!

Julie

~Sia McKye~ said...

AH, but you did get to see a rainbow. Very nice.

Sia McKye Over Coffee

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

(gasp) That rainbow is breathtaking! I'm so glad you were able to capture it.

Happy weekend!

Steven said...

Experience can make you much more appreciative of your environment.

Jayne Martin said...

I agree about the experience thing. Had I known age was going to bring such wisdom, I would have arrived here much sooner. Beautiful rainbow.