That’s the sun, photographed through my office window, there between the utility lines.
WEDNESDAY MORNING AT 9:30 I’m in my office writing. And then I notice it, the sun blazing a spotlight through the grey sky.
I rise to pull down the pleated shade. And then I stop, realizing the stupidity of my automatic reaction to keep the sun out of my eyes.
We have not seen the sun here in southeastern Minnesota in days. Like eight straight. Or maybe it’s ten. Too many, anyway. Rather, our world rains grey, literally, autumn leaves spiraling, their beauty mostly lost in the gloom.
This is not the autumn I covet, I love, I desire in my favorite of seasons. When, I wonder, will the weather shift? When will the cobalt blue skies of October replace the steel grey? When will the rain stop?
But sometimes you need to grab those moments of light, as I did Wednesday morning. I paused in my writing to watch the orb of light that shown brilliant—if only for 15 minutes—between layers of grey clouds to the east.
Blue sky. Finally. And briefly.
Then I stepped outside and looked the other direction, toward treetops of autumn showcased against blue sky. Blue. Not grey.
And I thought of all those people in Florida and other parts of the South enduring the weather wrath of Hurricane Michael. And the people in the Dakotas and northern Minnesota already dealing with snow. And I thought, really, I may not like the grey and wet and cold. But, in true Minnesota lingo, I thought, “It could be worse.” Much worse.
TELL ME: What’s the weather like in your part of the country/world?
© Copyright 2018 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Saturday I was in a snowstorm while on a tour minibus (Iceland) and yesterday it was 84 Degrees here in Ohio and the AC was on in the house while I baked a cake. Feels too hot for October 10
Now that’s quite a contrast in weather. Send some of that warmth north. We could use some heat here in Minnesota.
Some places flood, others suffer drought. Wish it could be spread around better.
Exactly.
We rejoice when we see the sun! It has been so hot lately and now with the rain from the remnants of Michael we are wet and gloomy so I will welcome the sun when it reappears which it will!
Isn’t there a song in “Annie” about the sun coming out tomorrow, tomorrow?
It could be much worse! We ended up with a very light dusting of snow late last night. We also turned the heat on because our older kitty wouldn’t walk across the tile floor to get to her food dish. It’s rather funny that hubby turns on the heat for his pampered kitty but the rest of us can put on more clothes to stay warm.
Your story about your husband turning on the heat for the kitty actually makes me smile. What a caring man.
We must be getting your blue sky here. Normal for us is that grey rainy weather in the fall, winter, spring, ok almost all year. First thing I was taught when I moved here was 5 minutes of sun is considered a sunny day.😂 That is optimism the Dutch have. I even saw a little girl crying once to her mother asking her to stop making the sun shine on one of the rare days it was beautiful. I heard the snow was in Northern MN. It better melt before the end of the month when I get home to vote.😊
Hopefully the nice fall weather will return soon for you.
Oh, my, down to you handle that much lack of sunshine. I would find that depressing.
Your story about the little girl crying is just remarkable.
Yes, snow fell in northern Minnesota yesterday. A friend sent me an image of snow on the ground, her red roses still there, blooming.
Wow- I bet that was a cool picture (red roses &snow).
It never really bugged me until the last couple of years – January really sucks that is why we try to find the sun in Europe somewhere. I have even flown to MN for a couple of weeks before to re-energized my batteries.
It was a cool photo.
Now that’s a new one– flying to Minnesota to re-energize. I should share that with my son-in-law, who grew up in the California desert and moved to Minnesota after falling in love with my eldest daughter.
Speaking of a little sunshine, I was at Imminent Brewing Company last night for a gathering of the Canon Valley Grown chapter of the Sustainable Farming Association. See https://www.sfa-mn.org/cannon-river/
It was good to see local farmers networking with the brewers, distillers, restaurants and home consumers of locally grown produce.
The brews were good too. I recommend the wheat beer. 🙂
I read about that effort in the local paper. Great idea to join forces to market this area. Thanks for the tip on the beer. It’s been awhile since I’ve been to Imminent.
It was standing room only. I was amazed at how many people showed up.
That is great to hear! Good things are happening in this part of Minnesota.
Right there with you in soaking in the rays today 🙂 Hurricane Michael made it past our area yesterday morning. I am so grateful that we dodged this one, but my heart goes out to the Panhandle and the rest of the areas the Hurricane is passing through today. Sending prayers. Take Care
Sending prayers to all of you in Florida. The absolute devastation breaks my heart. I’m thankful to hear you were spared.
Mother Nature has been a force to reckon with lately – Hurricanes and Tornadoes – way too many happening! Mr. Craves has a few coworkers who lost their homes in the Ottawa tornadoes.
I’m sorry. How difficult to lose your home.
I missed seeing that bit of sunshine but I look forward to tomorrow…it’s suppose to shine all day. We need it.
I’m waiting for today’s sunshine…
I would love to have some of that rain. The last time we saw rain was in May, and it wasn’t enough to even measure. I live in that place where your son-in-law was born, you know. If it rains here, we don’t know how to drive.
If one could ship rain to California, I’d send some to you.
It’s supposed to be spring here in Australia. Rain, rain, rain. It feels like it’s getting colder each day and now long range forecast is for 7 days of 90% chance of more rain. Springtime … and harvest … and blazing hot summer coming, too. I just cannot quite feel the warmth today. And my DH teases me for wearing a sweater to bed.
Let him tease away. At least you’re staying warm.
I hope your weather clears and warms soon.
well if for a moment a sun glimpse would be great as we now have snow and you are right it could be lots worse. The hurricane devastation is beyond words
Saturday is supposed to be pleasant here. I am looking forward to a day of (possible) sunshine.
I’m sorry about the snow. At least we don’t have that in southern MN.
…….sometimes you need to grab those moments of light*****
YES, in so many ways, my dear! xxx
Gotcha. You see beyond the surface words. I appreciate that about you, Kim.
We have been getting a lot of rain too – the slough has filled back up! The nearby river is at capacity and we expect more heavy rain this weekend. I find it all exciting, but then I’m in a safe zone. I feel for those who are in Florida and along the east coast. I feel for the farmers who are trying to get crops out and those trying to get wheat crops in (in the south). Oh how wonderful the sunshine feels when it finally makes an appearance!
And we had sunshine today. Lots.