weather you like it or not

In case anyone doubts the fickleness of the weather in Calabria, I’m going to show you a little of what it was like here on Thursday, November 1.

From the time I woke up that morning, it had been pouring, buckets and buckets of water, so I hadn’t paid much attention to the windows. But then, just as I was starting to think about lunch, a hint of sun glared through the balcony door.

Literally at that moment, P called me and told me to look outside.

11:45 a.m.:

rainbow in calabria
I’ve seen a lot of rainbows here, but never one this low; indeed, that’s why P had called me–he hadn’t either. And where he was at the time, he was nearly at the start (or end?) of it–my little pot o’ gold!

11:47 a.m.:

rainbow in calabria
To be clear, these views are from my balcony, off to the left. To the right there is the sea, or at least that’s what’s usually there.

11:56 a.m.:

fog in calabria
We get a good amount of fog here throughout the fall and winter months, but I’ve never seen this much fog in the daytime. It rolled through quite quickly, though.

11:59 a.m.:

fog has cleared, calabria
At this point I thought we were finally, finally in for some afternoon sun, and we did have a good couple hours of the stuff, but then I looked out toward where the rainbow had been.

2:24 p.m.:

fog rolls back in, calabria
And it rained the rest of the afternoon and was cloudy and/or rained Friday. As I type this on Saturday morning, there’s plenty of sun and not a cloud in sight, but I’m not placing any bets.

30 days of thanksToday I am thankful for:

The sun and rain, the clouds and sky, the hail and snow, the wind and still air, the heat and cold–all of the natural weather elements that make the world go round, help our food to grow, make trees greener, and above all, keep life interesting.

Because who hasn’t gotten caught in the rain? Or the wind? Or the snow? It’s not always fun (although it can be!), but it’s always an experience. You just can’t help but feel alive when you’re getting pelted in the face with hail, can you?

And besides, sometimes it’s good to be reminded that the world does what it wants and we’re just along for the ride. Weather you like it or not. Hah!

—————

[tags]rainbows, calabria, southern italy, weather, nablopomo, 30 days of thanks[/tags]

41 Beans of Wisdom to “weather you like it or not”
  1. Joy T.
    11.03.2007

    First to comment. Yes! It’s the little things with me :o) FINALLY taking three seconds to visit as many blogs as I can. Your pictures are fantastic and I LOVE the rainbow!

  2. sognatrice
    11.03.2007

    Joy, hello! So good to see you here, and really, it has to be the little things, doesn’t it? Woohoo! Glad you like the photos πŸ™‚

  3. Sharon
    11.03.2007

    Rainbows are very special to me this year. Thanks for reminding me of *someone* this morning!

  4. sognatrice
    11.03.2007

    Sharon, my pleasure! I was thinking of you when I took the photo because I remember your saying how special rainbows are to you right now πŸ™‚

  5. Tarie
    11.03.2007

    I love the rain. πŸ™‚ What a beautiful rainbow. πŸ™‚

  6. Roam2Rome
    11.03.2007

    Ah, someone is enjoying her beautiful birthday present!!

    That’s one low rainbow! full arch, too πŸ™‚ So, did you find anything on its other side? Another puppy, maybe?

  7. Giulia
    11.03.2007

    Ahhhh, yes, I’ve driven through some of the best of snow storms…walked, er, more like hung on for dear life through some fierce winds and have run through some crazy rain storms in the attempt to find a dry spot. Some great and not so great memories within those experiences. But, like you said, the world does what it wants and we’re just along for the ride. We’ve just got to hold on tight!

    I absolutely love that photo of the rainbow. Did you see any leprechauns, by chance?! πŸ˜‰

    How are the puppies doing? I’m sure you will be posting about them soon, but I am anxious to know if they are running amuck through your home yet? lol

  8. sognatrice
    11.03.2007

    Tarie, glad you enjoyed πŸ™‚

    Roam, I really haven’t been able to enjoy it *too* much because of all the rain, but I take photos whenever I can obviously πŸ™‚ No more puppies please!

    Giulia, oh I’ve been absolutely terrified during some rain and snowstorms–mostly because I was in a car at the time. Some cozy, fun memories too…*sigh*

    No leprechauns…I wonder what Italians think is at the end of a rainbow. Hmm….

    Anyway, puppies are great; still don’t have their eyes open although they turn 2 weeks old today, so it should be soon…the running about the house comes soon thereafter I’m told πŸ˜‰

  9. Tui
    11.03.2007

    Nice shots!

    When I was a kid some friends and I tried finding the end of a rainbow. Darn thing kept moving, though, as we approached…

    We’ve been having a lot of electrical storms in Naples lately, very dramatic.

    Ain’t weather great? πŸ™‚

  10. Figs Olives Wine
    11.03.2007

    Gorgeous photos – I love the sound of that weather! So many extremes, and that truly is the lowest rainbow I’ve ever seen.

  11. Maryann@FindingLaDolceVita
    11.03.2007

    “somewhere over the rainbow”…I guess it’s low so you can fly over it. Did you make a wish or dream a dream? πŸ˜‰

  12. sognatrice
    11.03.2007

    Tui, yes, electrical storms here too…until today, which has been sunny ALL DAY so far. I can’t believe it!

    Amanda, glad you can appreciate the weather and rainbow πŸ™‚

    Maryann, of course I did πŸ™‚

  13. bella
    11.03.2007

    The weather inspires me to pick up my camera and snap away. I love it when the sky is a deep blue with no clouds at all.
    You should go over to the Flickr site and search “rainbows”. There are some great pictures from all over the world, and they are just exquisite.

  14. Sara
    11.03.2007

    How cute is P, calling you over to show you a rainbow? Awwwww!

  15. sognatrice
    11.03.2007

    Bella, I love a sky like that too…actually I have another photo from that day just like that (except the moon is showing through a bit); maybe another day I’ll post it. I love Flickr searches!

    Sara, actually P called me on the phone; he was down in a different part of the village. I thought it was pretty cute too πŸ™‚

  16. My Melange
    11.03.2007

    Yes, it was rather low in the sky, not one of the huge arched ones you always see. But special just the same. Maybe it was that way so that you could feel like you could just reach out and touch it πŸ˜‰

  17. sognatrice
    11.03.2007

    Robin, actually I found this one to be particularly special because it was so low–and entirely visible from here even though I couldn’t get it all in a photo. If it lasted a little longer, I could’ve walked through it πŸ™‚

  18. SUEB0B
    11.03.2007

    So beautiful

  19. sognatrice
    11.03.2007

    Thanks Sueb0b πŸ™‚

  20. Carole D
    11.03.2007

    bellissime fotografie!

    Grazie for sharing with the rest of the world & for responding to my email.

  21. sognatrice
    11.03.2007

    Carole, no need for thanks–it’s always a pleasure (both the photos and emails) πŸ™‚

  22. Jen of A2eatwrite
    11.03.2007

    Absolutely amazing photos! And I left you a little something on my blog today…

  23. Absolute Vanilla (and Atyllah)
    11.03.2007

    Rainbows and mist, gloriously evocative – full of mystery and magic. πŸ™‚

  24. The Passionate Palate
    11.03.2007

    Amen to that!

  25. Leah
    11.03.2007

    that rainbow was incredible! Looks like you live in a really gorgeous, peaceful place. Whether that’s the case or not, I don’t know, but it looks fantastic! LOL

    (thanks for posting on my blog today, btw!!)

  26. misplaced misfit
    11.03.2007

    Those pictures are absolutely amazing! We don’t get views that like here in S. Florida.

    I’m so jealous! πŸ™‚

  27. odessa
    11.03.2007

    this weather sounds like san francisco, hehe. i used to hate it but now i really do love its moodiness, you’ll never know what your gonna get – and in you case, a beautiful rainbow!

    thanks for sharing.

  28. sognatrice
    11.03.2007

    Jen, thanks so very much; you’re too kind (or nice as it were) πŸ™‚

    AV & A, I’m right there with you on that…only adds to the mystery that they disappear so quickly….

    Jeni, glad you agree πŸ™‚

    Leah, thanks for coming by. I can say I live in a gorgeous and mostly peaceful place…everywhere is a *little* hectic sometimes πŸ˜‰

    MM, oh come on, you have plenty of nice views of your own….

  29. sognatrice
    11.03.2007

    Odessa, glad you’ve come to appreciate your weather–it’s (mostly) fun once you just start playing along πŸ˜‰

  30. Anali
    11.03.2007

    I love rainbows and have been hoping to get a new picture of one. Funny that you posted about rainbows. I mentioned the song in my post for today.

    It’s windy and rainy here today too. I’ll be very thankful when it’s sunny tomorrow! Assuming the weather predictions are right!

  31. Taffiny
    11.04.2007

    beautiful beautiful rainbow.

    And I love love love the story of P calling you to tell you to look outside.

    Your balcony views look awesome, whatever the weather.

    I am considering your rainbow, positive writing sign number two. I have a little saying about writing stories being like trying to catch rainbows. Your blog is the second one I’ve gone to today where someone captured one.

  32. Nora Bee
    11.04.2007

    Hello! That’s an amazing rainbow. I love how the weather can run our lives in an instant.

  33. Jeni
    11.04.2007

    As usual, beautiful pictures posted here! And a great tie in to your thankful post as well as your view on the world, as it comes at us all – “weather” we like it or not!

  34. andie summerkiss
    11.04.2007

    I have never seen rainbows before. I was told only people with luck can see one (I am of chinese origin, as you can tell – we are superstitious). You need to be on the right place at the right time! Envy you for living in such a beautiful place. Great blog, love it.

  35. sognatrice
    11.04.2007

    Anali, great minds! Glad I could provide you with a rainbow virtually even if none came around for you today πŸ™‚

    Taffiny, I love the “positive writing sign” take…I know I’ve said this before, but I really can’t wait to read “Echo.”

    Nora Bee, so true, so true!

    Jeni, I didn’t start out thinking I’d tie my usual post in with the thanks for the day, but it’s working out well so far…glad you like the photos πŸ™‚

    Andie, I had never heard that superstition–Italians have a whole bunch of their own, but not that one. Perhaps then, I can bring luck to others by posting the photo? Hmm. I don’t know, but I’m going with it πŸ˜‰

  36. SnoopMurph
    11.04.2007

    Hi there-thank you for stopping by my blog. It was such a treat to read your blog!

    The photos are lovely. Here in Phoenix, it is still in the mid-90’s (in November!) and any change from sunny weather is welcome. The Phoenicians are always outside when that wet stuff falls from the sky.

    So wonderful to meet you!

  37. sognatrice
    11.04.2007

    Snoopmurph, well if it were up to me, you’d certainly be welcome to some of our unseasonably cool temps and the wet stuff! Thanks for coming over πŸ™‚

  38. chris & erin
    11.05.2007

    absolutely beautiful! What a perfect rainbow

  39. sognatrice
    11.05.2007

    Erin, this was definitely a unique rainbow–so glad I had a camera πŸ™‚

  40. Concetta
    11.09.2007

    I always look forward to your gorgeous photos – especially of beautiful Calabria… I haven’t been in so long, it makes me homesick (even though I’ve never lived there! πŸ˜‰ )

    BTW, if you think that you’d ever like to pick up some stitching again and don’t have any “stash” around, please let me know.. I have a heap of things I was going to give away and I’d be happy to send you some… you’d be doing me a favour taking it off my hands!

  41. sognatrice
    11.09.2007

    Ciao Concetta! Happy to see you here. Funny you offer to send me some stitching stuff as I just received a small project in the mail today (a surprise gift!) and thought, “I really need to start stitching again!”

Michelle KaminskyMichelle Kaminsky is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer who lived in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy for 15 years. This blog is now archived. 

Calabria Guidebook

Calabria travel guide by Michelle Fabio

Recipes

 

Homemade apple butter
Green beans, potatoes, and pancetta
Glazed Apple Oatmeal Cinnamon Muffins
Pasta with snails alla calabrese
Onion, Oregano, and Thyme Focaccia
Oatmeal Banana Craisin Muffins
Prosciutto wrapped watermelon with bel paese cheese
Fried eggs with red onion and cheese
Calabrian sausage and fava beans
Ricotta Pound Cake