Thoughts of Umbrella Days. . . . . . .

While gazing out the window this morning I was thinking about the sopping wet
 weather we've had this week. Three straight days of rain falling, unusual for this
 area, a slow moving farewell from tropical storm Arthur.
I didn't need my umbrella though as I didn't go out of the house. . . . . except to
slosh around in the soggy garden now and then. All this thinking took me back
 to places in the world where umbrellas played

 a memorable part whilst sightseeing. 

Here are a few that come to mind as I enjoy a sunny morning again.

My photo from that special morning at Monet's garden in Giverny, France.

My art version of the gorgeous Claude Monet paintings reproduced on the umbrellas

 for sale at the gift shop in his gardens.

Handmade umbrellas waiting to dry before decorative painting - Chiang Mai, Thailand 2011

. . . . . . . and me among the painted umbrellas outside the shop.

First morning in Moscow, heavy rain whilst crossing waterlogged Red Square - 2013
Dreary and foreboding - thankfully the following day the sun came out.

The steady rain of 'the wet' season bringing to life the ancient colors of ancient
Hue, Vietnam. 

More of historic Hue, Vietnam in 2011

Rainy day - plenty of umbrellas and plastic rainwear available!
Beautiful colors of very old buildings - hang the red lantern!
Hoi An, Vietnam - 2011. A beautiful place.

Hope your Memorial Day weekend is dry, bright and sunny.
Not going far from home but will probably grill something or other........as that's
what we do, right?

Stay well - be safe.

Let it rain. . . . . .

. . . . . . . because we need it sometimes to wash away the dust and grime 

of everyday living, to refresh the gardens and grow the crops.

No sign of Christmas snow around here but we did have some heavy rain

 a day or so ago. It bounced in the bird baths making them

 overflow - robins seemed to love that, washed the leaves off the parked cars and sent

 them floating down the driveway to join the small mountains we'd already raked

to the curb. The camellias sparkled after their much-loved shower, and I even 

noticed a little growth spurt of the lawn.

Growing up in an often rainy country I've had my share of umbrellas, most were 

dowdy and dreary black until those clear vinyl domes became popular - what ever

 happened to them anyway? 

When visiting Claude Monet's beautiful house and gardens in France this year

I saw these - I should have purchased at least one - who would mind

paddling about in the rain under the waterlilies!

Go here to 'visit' Giverny

http://abreathoffreshair-mary.blogspot.com/2015/09/claude-monets-giverny.html

Claude Monet's beautiful paintings available on umbrellas - Giverny, France
 September 2015 

This being the last shopping weekend before Christmas, I hope
you have lovely weather to venture out with no need of an 
umbrella. We have lovely sunshine today but it has turned cooler
which is fine with me.
Have a wonderful weekend.