Raindrops were falling on my head; and that’s OK
In California, a week’s worth of rain gets everybody talking.
It’s the lead story on the local evening news; breaking weather
alerts flash on Web sites; it’s a popular Facebook posting; and
it’s a conversation starter on phone calls.
”
How about this weather?
”
”
That’s some crazy rain.
”
”
We can sure use it.
”
Raindrops were falling on my head; and that’s OK
In California, a week’s worth of rain gets everybody talking. It’s the lead story on the local evening news; breaking weather alerts flash on Web sites; it’s a popular Facebook posting; and it’s a conversation starter on phone calls.
“How about this weather?”
“That’s some crazy rain.”
“We can sure use it.”
A lot of us love the rain. Not only does it help with our state’s drought and lay down a fresh coat of powder at ski resorts, it makes it feel like winter. In an area where thunderstorms are rare and snow is often just a fleeting flash on local hills, windy rainstorms let us enjoy the weather with our senses.
We get spoiled with abundant sunshine in California. There is no need to put away my shorts for the season because there will be a day or a week in mid-winter when it’s warm enough to break out the summer gear. After seeing how much whiter my legs have gotten since October, I will quickly put the shorts away. At least I have options.
I like just enough bad weather to feel the impact without being too inconvenienced. I like when the occasional power outage forces us to break out the candles at home. I dislike the two-minute power outages that do nothing other than force me to reset the electronic clocks on my television, alarm clock, microwave, television and oven.
On Monday afternoon, the strong, southerly wind brought sheets of rain to downtown Hollister. The door at The Pinnacle blew open a few times as the rain blew through. Drops were blowing sideways and the street gutters could barely contain the deluge. Monterey Street was littered with branches and leaves and numerous street corners with poor drainage had become mini ponds.
On Tuesday morning, another blast of rain caused the gutters on my home to overflow because leaves had clogged the downspouts. It looked like a waterfall coming off my roof in the backyard, so I grabbed the ladder, pulled my hooded sweatshirt over my head and braved the elements to get the water flowing again.
I have to say I kind of enjoyed racing the elements. Could I unclog it before my gutter came down? Would the subsequent rush of water through the downspout flood my patio? Why was I wearing my non-waterproof, Ugg-boot knock-offs while trudging through an inch of water?
I’m too old to splash in puddles, on purpose, because I don’t want to ruin my shoes or catch pneumonia – things I didn’t care about when I was 7. I’m not too old to have my Suburban splash in puddles.
As I was taking my son to San Benito High School on Tuesday, the intersection of Nash and San Benito Street was partially flooded. Since I was driving our four-wheel-drive that day, I felt no fear as I rolled through.
The three teenage boys in my vehicle had a hearty laugh when the subsequent splash from my tires caused a mini-tidal wave and forced another teen that they knew to jump out of the way as he stood on the corner waiting to cross. I was not trying to soak him – it’s not like I swerved into the pooled water on purpose – and I hope he dodged the splash, but I have to admit it was kind of funny.
Hopefully, the worst of the storminess has passed, leaving behind a little damage but a lot of much-needed water. The local hills will soon put on their green winter coat and the Sierra Nevada will be wearing white. And I will be looking for a pair of waterproof boots that I can wear to splash around my backyard next time it rains.
Want more Breen Damage? Check out Adam’s blog throughout the week online . Adam teaches newspaper and yearbook classes at San Benito High School and is a reporter for The Pinnacle. He is the former editor of the Free Lance.
