Comments on: Opening Rain

By: Lightening

Lightening — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:23:57 +0000

Roger – that all sounds rather hopeful.

Michelle – my DH is pretty much the same. He says “oh, it’ll rain. There’s nothing surer. No idea what month or year but it will rain”.

River – absolutely!!! One of the things I noticed when we moved to SA was how much the rain fell at night. We don’t have a LOT of wet, drizzly days here without seeing at least a few hours of sun. It does happen but not as much as Victoria. I could put up with the grey drizzly days right now though. For a few days at least.

By: river

river — Wed, 07 May 2008 08:39:57 +0000

I love that smell the earth gets after a good soaking drizzle opens things up. When followed by a 3-4 day steady rain everything looks greener, smells fresher, flowers hold their heads higher, it’s just wonderful. Wouldn’t it be great to have a “perfect” world with warm sunny days and cool rainy nights all year round? And no droughts ever again.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 07 May 2008 07:44:35 +0000

I fully agree. I’m originally from country Victoria, a little town about 1 1/4 hours north-east of Horsham and my parents and brother’s family farm about 3000 acres. In the last 11 years I think they have had maybe three years which were more than recouping costs and getting seed for the following year, maybe providing a neighbor with seed. My Dad always says ‘It’ll rain one day,’ and ‘It always rains at the end of a drought’. One day my sister-in-law (whose dream was to marry a farmer and have lots of kids, unfortunately they have been in drought since they married 9 years ago) asked him why he always said ‘It’ll rain one day’. His response – if he didn’t have that hope, he’d just walk of the land. And there is not a lot of hope in the farming communities at the moment with the water situation. Sometimes I think our state leaders believe the state finishes at the outlying suburbs of the capital cities. I continually pray that God will bring rain to the country areas, and not just physical rain but spiritual rain.

By: Lightening

Lightening — Wed, 07 May 2008 07:43:26 +0000

Planning Queen – Mildura have been HARD HIT by the water crisis. We have extended family there who have gone bankrupt. Hope everything is okay with your site.

Suze – If only I could, I’m sure I”d be a rich woman!!! Or at least well loved!!!! Yes, farming is very much a game of being at the mercy of the elements. My DH has a lovely attitude though. Instead of stressing about such things, he just focuses on what he CAN have control over (like understanding the best inputs to use, learning new methods and so on).

Trish – It’s a common first question around here – how much rain did you have? I’m really BAD at finding out so most of the time I don’t have an answer for people. The rain gauge is DH’s domain – there are SPIDERS in there!!!! (well, not all the time but enough to make me stay well away!!!!)

By: Babyamore (Trish)

Babyamore (Trish) — Wed, 07 May 2008 07:05:18 +0000

Great article – I was talking to my FIL about rain at the right time … when we were away two weeks ago. He only has a new small (1100acres) farm and was talking about making putting some crops back in. The rain gauge is so important.

City dwellers never consider this when we whinge about the rain canceling our social activities.

Hope the opening rain is a fresh start for your area and for you personally. I also like the comparison you have drawn …fresh rain and a fresh hope.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Wed, 07 May 2008 06:05:09 +0000

Just like you I am hanging out for an opening rain. It does bring new hope doesn’t it. People just get more positive, momentarily anyway!

By: Roger Mahaney

Roger Mahaney — Wed, 07 May 2008 05:10:24 +0000

be encouraged and perservere with all faith…. this is the dawning of the age of the one who is called “the water bearer” and the hope that the new spring rain brings that is a gift from Holanoussis at least that is the name by which I affectionately call Him but do not let the knowledge of that and its awe-inspiring poetry and glory distract you from your businesses’
needs when hope, faith and love fill your heart just say thank you
who is He?
who is He?
damned if I know
thank you for your post lightening…

By: Suze

Suze — Wed, 07 May 2008 01:28:16 +0000

Lovely post Lightening. Being a city dweller (well outer city, almost semi rural), I really feel for our farmers and what they have been through. Of course, they will continue to go through being at the mercy of the elements, because that’s what farming is.
I’d love some opening rain – could you arrange s bit for me

By: PlanningQueen

PlanningQueen — Wed, 07 May 2008 00:50:52 +0000

I love the symbolism of the opening rain and hope. I see it in my home town of Mildura when this happens. Here’s to hoping that this really is the fresh start so many farmers need.

NB. My site will be undergoing maintenance until approx midday Wednesday (Australian time).

By: Lightening

Lightening — Tue, 06 May 2008 07:10:56 +0000

Felicity – we do have some wonderful weather here. When I lived in Melbourne we used to get 4 seasons in the one day. Things are a little more “stable” here in South Australia. When it’s hot, it’s stinking hot and when it’s cold, it’s freezing. Rain anytime now would be really good though!!!!

Jayne – thank you.

Widdle Shamrock – there’s nothing like being on tank water to make you appreciate water is there? We’re almost out for the house. Fingers crossed there’ll be some more rain soon.