Thursday, June 07, 2007

Measuring Moisture

Firstly, thanks Jaycee for answering Jamie's question. A rain gauge does indeed measure rain - something we are wont to do in this part of the land where it happens rarely and is welcomed openly. Being from another dry part of the continent and with a similar background, Jaycee understands. (As does Strauss - who looks forward to returning to this wide brown land. Here is her childhood snapshot - stark and beautiful.)

I grew up where, at the first hint of a drop we were aching to go measure the moisture - our taciturn parents limited us to once - twice if downpours occurred - a day, and there was always that moment when your dreams were either fulfilled or shattered.

On the phone to a friend yesterday afternoon, I mentioned that we got about an inch yesterday - for some strange reason V snickered at this!

My greeting this morning as I emerged from the bedroom (late - sun isn't doing its job in waking me these grey, wet mornings*) was he, with a grin on his face, greeting me with "45 mill baby!" - knowing we had some unchecked lotto tickets, immediately my thoughts went on spending all that dosh - until I realised it was the rain.

Only a little dampened as my rich life dreams disappeared, I suddenly realised - in old money that is nearly 2 inches - which is nearly 3 1/2 inches for the last few days - which is about 1/4 of all the rain that my family received in the last 12 months on the property.

Puts it into perspective.

Should clear tomorrow - which means V will be working at least 2 days out of our 3 day weekend.

Oh well - the final of my outstanding cheques has just hit the red zone - I am definitely not scary enough - but if the money does go into my account I am looking forward to buying a brand new stove!!! Cold wet weather = need for all cooking appliances to be on deck. Hotplate + crockpot + microwave + griller oven just isn't cutting the mustard!


* Unlike Melody at BigLittle Sister - check out her wake up call!


Brissiemum2 said...

Can't imagine why he'd snicker at the thought of an inch!!!! Lucky it wasn't more! ;)

And there's nothing like a new stove! Stainless steel or white?

Jen at Semantically driven said...

Being from a farming background, the rain gauge was mentioned a heck of a lot. Amounts were continually compared and anything more than an inch at the right time of year was pretty damn good.

I guess most city folk don't need to worry about a rain gauge.

Let's hope there's more to come.


Hard to understand really when we've been complaining lately of too much rain.

When we were kids we'd take our soap and shampoo outside and shower in the rain. We thought we got more bubbles. Wonder if it was true.

strauss said...

Thanks for the mention!
Yep there was certainly a rain gage absession in our house as well. I remember my parents and grandparents muttering about how many "points" were got the night before, and the like. And even now, as I live in rainy ole BC, I can't quite bring myself to complain about the rain, even with flood warnings looming on our doorsteps!!!
People here are surprised after asking if I just hate the rain, and I tell them that I quite like it, and never take it for granted.

Melody said...

Thanks too for linking me! Hehehe. When we first moved up here I couldn't believe the amount of rain we'd get, all in one go. Just amazing. There were nights when we'd get over 150mls. And that's a dry night!! SOmetimes I just wish we could move the clouds over to parts of the country that need it most.

Heather said...

When it rains that rarely, you should totally dance naked in the rain!

shishyboo said...

let it rain, let it rain, let it rain!