Sunday, January 06, 2008

Wind

The wind is blowing. For three days it has shaken and rattled any and everything not secured. The ground around the fence posts has been scoured clean of all loose particles and still it continues to blow. A broken shingle from the roof lies in the grass near the north fence. It’s only protection from the wind are the bent grasses that cling to it. Something as yet unidentified makes a low moan as the wind rolls over it but it is the wind generator that gives the alarm. Repeatedly in the middle of the night the blades flex and flutter in the wind until strong gusts trigger the brake but not before they elicit loud shrieks that wake us from sleep.

This morning in the weak grey light below dark clouds I saw something white where there should have been only the reddish browns of the soil and the yellowish browns of the sparse grass. Getting closer I recognized the wind cups from the weather vane that had been installed temporarily without lock-tight on the set screw. The wind’s variable gusts had jarred and shaken it until it the screw backed up and the wind claimed it as another prize.

The wind pushes low thick dark clouds across the sky, clouds that are loaded with rain and snow. The mottled white, grey and bluish-black blanket hides sun and satellites, crippling cell and TV reception and ending Internet access.

But, the wind has a multitude of gifts. The empty chaff of birdseed below the feeders is gone and the fresh seed shines like an avian banquet. The batteries have been denied the energy of sunlight but are being charged with wind power. The flagstones of the walk have been swept and accumulated dust has been shaken from the trees. All good things but he best is the time of rest. Wind and wind-chill stop work and drive us inside. Yesterday was a lazy day of reading, dosing, organizing and light indoor work. Today the wind suggested a trip to town, a movie and a dinner followed by coffee and browsing the magazines at a bookstore.

In a few moments I’ll turn off the lights, pull the covers under my chin, listen to the gusty music outside my window and feel a sense of gratitude for the wind.

5 Comments:

Blogger Miss Kim said...

That's beautiful and inspires me to think of the good when the weather gives me a stormy day.

1/07/2008 05:42:00 AM  
Blogger Anvilcloud said...

I hope you had a great day in town. It's fine town. :)

1/07/2008 12:54:00 PM  
Blogger Alex Pendragon said...

I've never held a good storm against Mother Nature. Makes one appreciate a pleasant day all the more.

1/07/2008 01:42:00 PM  
Blogger Whitesnake said...

NOW there is another four letter word people like you band about with gay abandon. "Wind"

Nearly as bad as "Rain"
We have seen neither!

1/08/2008 11:29:00 PM  
Blogger ORANGEHOUSE said...

You write beautifully. I would like to know more about your wind and solar systems. How big are they? Did you build them yourself? Can you show pictures?
Thanks!

5/02/2008 06:02:00 PM  

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