On the Lighter Side

Reflections (Literally) – Tuesday, June 28, 2016

46 Comments

Carol A. Hand

I should be editing today, but I promised my granddaughter I would share this story. We didn’t have a chance to work on it together so I’m writing it for her.

More fierce storms rolled through on Saturday evening when my granddaughter was spending the night. She grew frightened as the sky darkened and warnings about severe storms headed our way sounded on the radio.

She was on the verge of tears. “Ahma, where can we hide?”

“I have another idea, Sweetie,” I replied. “Let’s go outside and offer tobacco with a prayer. I’ll teach you how. The lightening and rain haven’t come yet so there’s still time.”

I showed her the garden I had chosen, but she found her own special garden by the ninebark bush. When she finished, she smiled and we went inside and read a story.

When the thunder and lightning ended, and the rain abated for a moment, we took our little dog out. I laughed when I saw the huge puddle in the alley behind the house. It was covered with little popping bubbles.

“Ahma,” my granddaughter joyfully shouted when she saw the puddle. “The puddle is tooting! That’s what happens when people are swimming and toot (fart). It makes bubbles in the water.”

Just then, the rain began again, and bubbles appeared on all of the puddles the whole length of the alley. My granddaughter laughed and danced with delight despite the rain.

The next day, she sang a song about “The Tooting Puddle Bubbles.” (Try saying that fast!) We went outside the next morning to look for the bubbles, but they were gone. The biggest puddle was still there, though, and we took some pictures.

I’ve gone a little overboard posting them…

puddle 1 2016

The illusion of bushes, buildings and fences growing out of the asphalt intrigues me.

puddle 2 2016

puddle 3 2016

Ava and Pinto 2016

May we all find simple moments for gratitude and laughter during and after storms along our path.

***

 

46 thoughts on “Reflections (Literally) – Tuesday, June 28, 2016”

  4. Oh to be this way again; to be freed from my jaded, negative nature, to be the way I once was a thousand years ago!

    Maybe in the next stage, the next realm, if there be one?

    Beautiful, Carol!

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  6. Beautiful photos – it’s been raining a lot here, the puddles barely have time to dry up before it rains again. Thankfully no thunder or lightning though – yet! Thank you for sharing your story. 😊

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  13. Wonderful post Carol! I will be sure to point out the ‘tooting’ puddles to Cooper when we get caught in a rainstorm. 🙂 I used to tell my daughters, the rainwater would make their hair extra soft. They would catch the rain in buckets and pour the ice cold water over their heads. They said it worked! Take care. Bob

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    1. Thank you for your kind words and delightful story about rain water, Bob. I know I heard this when I was young, but I can’t remember who told me. I don’t think I ever tried it on purpose, though, but I do remember having softer hair after being in the rain. I wish you many wonderful discoveries and adventures with Cooper. 🙂

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  18. Reblogged this on Dolphin and commented:
    Puddles tooting…haha….I love how the young ones look at the world! I love Carol’s imagination of bushes growing from asphalt. I think of a picture a former boss had in her office — it was a *cough* weed growing up through a crack in the pavement. I think the word underneath was “determination” or something similar. I think of that picture every time I see nature triumphantly growing through such adversity. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  20. Oh this is just fantastic. Just think: would you have taken time to photograph the puddles if not for your granddaughter? You caught some amazing reflections in them that, if not for the toot-check, you would have missed.
    And her reaction is priceless! My daughter would have said the same. That shift from fear to delight can occur so quickly in a child; I wish adults could switch emotional mindsets so easily. What an amazing gift you gave your granddaughter through this experience. I wouldn’t be surprised if she wants to stay with you for the next several thunderstorms. You’re a most blessed woman, indeed. 🙂

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    1. Thank you for such lovely, thoughtful comments, Jean. It’s funny. My granddaughter did stay with me last night and severe storms were again predicted. Instead of being afraid, she asked if we could go out to put tobacco down again. Se we did, and the storms went north and south of us. (Of course, they usually do. It seems to be a function of our geographic location…)

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  22. Hi its life with 11 sorry I haven’t commented you it you for a long time I was out of state but I loved your story thank you for sharing it with me and thank you for following me and liking yours amazing story and I love your dog

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  23. Pingback: Reflections about Changes | Voices from the Margins

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