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.

Wet and wetter. . . . . . .

Here it is August and North Carolina appears to have a

 new season. . . . . . . . 'The Wet'. 

Don't remember another Summer such as this with so much rain late July into August.

Waking morning after morning to saturated gardens, pools of water, low and

 threatening grey skies, over the top humidity numbers, and not a ray of sunshine, 

is depressing. Certainly not what summertime is usually like here.

Most outdoor activities have been postponed, especially at the coast where

riptides and storms have curtailed beach visits.

 My garden is literally waterlogged!

Last time I was in 'The Wet' - and it was expected at that time of year - was when 

visiting Vietnam. Somehow rainy days were extraordinarily beautiful there, perhaps

 because the radiant colors of the ancient buildings came to life in the rain.

Me in Vietnam - sandals, plastic poncho and a large umbrella - I was set to go!

Hue, Vietnam 2011

Do you like rainy days?

Photo Challenge for June - Stormy Weather

I'm cruising and have to make this quick!  Joining in Donna's always fun Personal Photo Challenge.

All pics taken with my Olympus SP-590UZ with a little editing via PicMonkey.

A sunny welcome followed by a sudden and quite unexpected snowstorm - even the
penguins seemed startled - and I was grateful I had a big warm parka and gloves.

Macquarie Island, Australia - the sub-Antarctic Islands cruise on M/S Orion - 2011

See more here - http://abreathoffreshair-mary.blogspot.com/2012/01/magical-macquarie-island-part-i.html

The old city of Hue, Vietnam - December 2012

It poured down hard but was so very beautiful, the rainstorms went on and on - sightseeing 

was definitely soggy!  It was of course "the wet", one of the two seasons in this part of the world.

Hue, Vietnam, still in the pelting rain - "taxi anyone?"
Big sales on plastic ponchos that day in December, 2012

To see more of that damp trip go here - http://abreathoffreshair-mary.blogspot.com/2011/12/taking-long-way-home-from-vietnam.html

Pop on over to visit Donna at this month's Personal Photo Challenge - http://apersonalphotochallenge.blogspot.com

The happiness sign..........

Happiness sign in rainy Hue, Vietnam

...............is not working today.  I'm stuck at San Francisco International while my plane is being fixed...........the left engine starter would not start!  Apparently there was not a spare starter hanging about.........it's coming from Oakland!  I've missed my connection in Atlanta, hoping desperately to get there in time for the only other flight home late tonight - I do not want another night in a hotel.  I want to GET HOME!!!!!!

Taking the long way home from Vietnam........

Prior to those four long flights home to reach the US, we spent two fascinating days exploring the ancient Vietnamese cities of Hue and Hoi An.................in the rain!

With only one showery morning whilst in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, the remainder of the two week trip was hot and dry.  Sightseeing in quite heavy rain didn't stop us.  Here are a few of the many photos from Hue, the brilliant colors still amazing when muted in the rain.

The two best things stashed in my luggage in the event of water..............

...........ever useful Keene sandals, and a vinyl poncho!

I'm now back in California at Paula's home for a couple of days before flying on to Raleigh.  Goodness gracious, I can hardly remember what Bob looks like..........I've been gone so much lately!

More to share with you later.