Bon Journal

Drenched in the rain of cats and dogs

When I left London on the third of September, it was one hot day. When I returned on 21st October, the leaves had turned multi-color and littered the grounds.The weather was dry but windy. When I left again in early November, most of the leaves had fallen. When I returned this time around, the trees had become barren.

It rained like there was no tomorrow. The cats and dogs have come out to play. Raining cats and dogs --- I wonder who thought of that expression.

I had to go shopping. Or could I wait? I hesitated and decided that I wanted to get out of the house today.

I cycled to the Farmer's Market unsure about what to buy. I merely wanted to buy a mop to replace the old one. In my indecision, I ended up buying enough fresh ginger root for several months, a 2 kilo bag of mussels, and minced beef.

Even in my fake barber raincoat, I was soaked to the skin. My neighbours were waiting outside when I returned. They were afraid that they had missed me entirely because rumour has it that I have moved. In my wet clothes, I invited them inside for a cup of tea.

Later this afternoon, I cycled in the still pouring rain to meet two pianists for a cup of tea before my 5:15 pilates class. There's something very attractive about being welcomed into a warm house with a cosy fireplace. It was equally exciting to be entertained by the banter of two bachelors preparing to go to a salsa evening.

The rain did not stop. After my pilates class, I cycled home in the rain. I got used to the rain by now. I suppose life is like this --- you see the rain outside, you're afraid of getting wet, but once you get outside and get wet, you're not afraid of it anymore.

Just do it.

And get used to it.

22 November 2003 Saturday