#AtoZChallenge: D is for Daffodils & Determination

Daffodils are my favorite flower of all time. I believe it comes from when I was younger and my Nana would plant flowers and tend to the garden. I often remember the moments she would let me get my hands dirty in the soil and play with the worms. I was a bit of a tomboy as a small child and didn’t mind getting my hands dirty or working up a sweat, or even getting my head stuck between the oil tank and chimney when I was 7 lol. Yes I alone gave my mother agida of 10 boys lol.

I also have a love of daffodils because they were the first few buds and signs of spring after wet, cold winters and to me it was a sign of a birthday present from the earth. My birthday is March 1st and it’s often cold, dark and snow covered so by the time mid to late March arrives, I would start singing because that meant the nicer weather was on it’s way and I could go out and play in the dirt with my Nana. She would often go out into the yard and pull a few buds to bring in the house just for me.

As I’ve grown older, they signify fond memories of digging in the dirt, signs of spring eternal. More importantly, or more deeply they are a reflection of  life going on in the midst of harsh cold winters or personal struggles, determination in moving on when things seem tough, beauty in their simplicity, and that year after year in the same location so many years ago, these beautiful beauties still continue to bloom even if I don’t get my hands dirty in the dirt.

A to Z Challenge. P is for Pluviophile & Pluviculture

I’ve always had a love for rain.

For as long as I can remember, I loved hearing the sound of the pouring rain outside my window. As a young child, any fear I had of ~ Keraunophobia ~ was soon dispelled from a sweet story my mother and grandmother would tell me about bowling.

I remember as a child, maybe in kindergarten or elementary school, I had a bus driver who was a member of the local Native American Tribe that lives in our community. I can’t remember his name, but he was always so sweet and nice to the kids on the bus. Sometimes we would sing songs and he would always make the short trip in to school very fun.

One day it was pouring raining outside. I was probably the only kid that wanted to jump in the puddles and boy was my mother annoyed. I was going to get my clothes wet, dirty, and possibly catch a cold from being so wet.  

When the bus pulled up in front of the house this day and the door opened, my bus driver asked me what my name was. I laughed and said, “You know me I’m, Paula. You pick me up every day” He laughed and said “No, you are Spring Rain, one who beckons the rain. That is what I’ll call you from now on. You can do the rain dance.”

This was probably the coolest thing for a 6-year-old to hear!

“I controlled the RAIN”

I loved the rain, and now I had all this power. Ok maybe I was a little ahead of myself, at the time, but it really is a wonderful memory to have.

Give me a rainy night, with a warm blanket, my squishy socks, a piping hot cup of tea, and I am a very happy content girl.

Listening to the sound of the rain, especially during a storm, is quite soothing. It relaxes me, puts my mind at ease, and really quells my spirit, especially if I’m having a stressful day. If it’s not raining outside, I use my phone app for ambient sounds and always set it on thunderstorms, heavy rain, rain in the woods…Now that is peaceful!! The sound of the rain hitting the tree limbs, rushing over the leaves and crashing to the earth below. Just the thought of it has me wishing for a rain storm…We did get a few sprinkles earlier yesterday, and I was able to get some pictures of my favorite flowers (daffodils) with some rain droplets. 

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some Pluviculture to take care of 😉

Please check out yesterday’s A to Z Post, for the OPEN HOUSE Blog party, Share a link to your blog or favorite post from your blog, and join in on the shenanigans. It will be open for a while. 

Today’s A to Z Challenge post is brought to you by the letter P. P for ~

Pluviophile~ A lover of rain, someone who finds joy and peace of mind during rainy days

Pluviculture~ The science of making rain; or schemes for inducing rain.