KCB: Rainy Day People...

Is the title of one of my least favorite songs by one of my most favorite troubadours, Gordon Lightfoot. Who? Am I showing my age? Perhaps. When most of my friends were blasting Springsteen, Aerosmith, and other such icons of the day, I was stuck in a time warp loving the lyrical stories known as folk songs from the sixties. In spite of my lack of love for the tune, this song, or at least the opening line, is playing like a repetitive tape in my mind.

In the name of research I read the lyrics. One line, ‘Take it or leave it, or try to believe it….’ is more fitting for my day than just the title. Like it or not, taken in the context of this writing, we are all ‘Rainy Day People’.

Unless you can drive or fly to a dryer clime to leave IT we have to take IT. Today, I believe IT! I’m glad it’s raining. When I alerted this fact to one of my favorite people they indicated that I had gone over the edge. ‘Crazy’, I believe was the word. How could anyone, especially someone who attempts to make a living as a gardener, like this weather? Have I suddenly found a fondness for slugs and snails? Am I practicing to be a mud-beggar for a Renaissance Faire? Am I testing the benefits of a mud facial mask? No (definitely NO), no (or not now) and no (but it may be worth a try).

These past weeks have certainly dampened my business. Some days were a total wash-out. My income is certainly taking a bath. All puns intended. Light rain and moist soil does allow for ease of weeding. Nevertheless, walking and kneeling within extremely wet beds can cause more damage than slimy pests or sprouting weeds. Installations are also stalled. The earth is unstable, too difficult to maintain upright.

Still, I am almost giddy with the knowing that it is not a good day to work. I even find myself looking out the window searching for the telltale sign of ripples in the puddles. Knowing that precipitation continues enhances my belief that things happen for a reason. With the rain is less guilt, for not working, less frustration, for not working, and more motivation, to do what I must do when not working.

You see, I am moving. Again. If anyone ever told me in December that within 6 months I’d be moving again it would be I who would refer to someone as ‘crazy’. Truth be told, I would be a fool not to move.

I’m going back home, or at least to the building that was my home for the past 5 years. Returning to the neighborhood that I embraced for over 16 years, Munjoy Hill! Missing the corner stores, the restaurants, the view and mostly the people of ‘The Hill’ I called my former and soon to be landlord. In a confession that paled the offerings of the most prodigal of sons or daughters, I left a message asking to come home. Did I mention the view? I left my former apartment as it was just too large and too costly to heat and therefore no longer fit within my budget and downsized lifestyle. But above my “then home” was an attic transformed to an apartment sometime during the mid part of the last century. Cozy, a more efficient source of heat, and—get this-- a better view than the one below—my “then home”.

I received a return call the very next day. It just so happened that the current tenants just were approved for a mortgage. They are moving on. With no closing date I had to be somewhat flexible. My flexibility did not have to last as long as originally expected. With proper notice to my current and soon to be former landlord I move this Friday.

So today I pack. The rain alone has not caused this sudden urge to prepare for a move that will happen in a few days. My lack of vehicle is another cause.

Evidently my truck missed the mechanics that she had been spending a little too much time with lately. An AAA card and a tow have brought her back for yet another visit. Still I believe. I have no choice but to take the current state of weather and wheellessness and make the most of it.

Once I am finished packing and my truck returned to me, I will no doubt hum another song. ‘Rain, Rain, go away…’ followed by ‘… please don’t take my sunshine away.

A 2 day reprieve is on the way. The sun will briefly emerge only to be followed by showers of a more dynamic sort, thunderstorms! Or so claims my Internet weather source. Happiness abounds as I visualize the display of dark clouds and dancing lightning over Casco Bay to be witnessed from my 3rd story porch. Did I mention the view?

Today I spy another view. No need to peak out the window to see if it is raining, the blurring sheets of water offer the answer.

I believe I must continue packing. This time not to the mingling sounds of talk radio and rain, but the melodious voice of Gordon Lightfoot. The lyrics of a favorite song by said singer now repeats…

‘In the early morning rain…..’

KCB for Skillin's Greenhouses
June 24, 2009

KCB is a professional gardener and friend who does wonderful work in the Greater Portland area. KCB is also an accredited Master Gardener by the Cooperative Extension Service and we are proud to tell you that KCB rules as the 2008 Maine Master Gardener of the Year. And we are honored to have KCB as part of our Skillin's Garden Log family.