Looking out my Backdoor: A different kind of day

Interesting how we carve time to suit particular purposes. I won’t look it up, but thinking about it, I’d not be surprised that our universal way of dividing our days started with the Industrial Revolution, as a way of getting the workers to be where and when the bosses wanted them to be. That is as political as I am willing to be this morning.

My day began yesterday, actually. It rained yesterday, so that jiggered up walk times with Lola, but we managed to wriggle them into slots that worked for us. I don’t walk in the rain and Lola is definitely not a water dog. She is a huddle in the warm dog house dog.

Then there was a very large and very loud wedding at El Eden, just a couple kilometers down from my house. Weddings around here are not quiet and seemly affairs. This one was huge. It began early with music blaring from a wall of speakers, punctuated by fireworks, day and night. Music is live, with bands lined up to cater to every taste, beginning with the brand of music we older folks tend to like and remember and, I’m grumphing here, it is downhill from there.

I’ve always wanted to walk over, just show up, if asked, I’m a friend of the bride or the groom, whichever. For the food. Oh, the mountains of food. Fill a plate, sit in a corner and watch the people. This would be, of course, early in the event. Food, of course, is accompanied with quantities of liquids.

Back when I used to go with Kathy to her resort, we watched a lot of weddings. Thus, I know by the noise level, pretty much what is going on down the way. Eventually the elders retire and the youngers take to the floor. We would say, Rock and Roll.

Until five in the morning, I kid you not. So that was my night. Fortunately, even with interruptions, I am an easy sleeper. So I woke at pretty much my usual time, according to the light. Sort of. I don’t use a clock for wake up. Sunlight, even muted, does that job.

Something seemed off, the day didn’t sound right, but after ablutions, I got dressed, ready to go walk my dog. Looked out the window and all plans came to a stop.

It could have been raining all night from the looks of it. And it looks like it could rain all day. Sorry, Lola.

This is our third rain in a week. The first one blessed us with more rain than we had in the entire (nearly non-existent) rainy season. Farmers are well into corn harvest. Cane harvest just began. Oops. Not good timing.

My tomatoes are beautiful and in full blossom, so not sure what this will mean for them. Everything else must be soaking up the moisture with gratitude.

I feel discombobulated. My whole routine out the door just turned in the door. I had to turn my light on above my desk. I never turn on a light in the morning. Natural light is plenty. I have to laugh at myself. I look out the window. Raining. The forecast for the day hasn’t changed in the last hour and a half. The forecast still says rain all day, all night.

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Sondra Ashton grew up in Harlem but spent most of her adult life out of state. She returned to see the Hi-Line with a perspective of delight. After several years back in Harlem, Ashton is seeking new experiences in Etzatlan, Mexico. Once a Montanan, always. Read Ashton’s essays and other work at http://montanatumbleweed.blogspot.com/. Email [email protected].