Rainy days

Honolulu, August 15th -- It’s a rainy day in paradise today. We have been on hurricane watch the last couple of days. Hurricane Flossie went by the Big Island yesterday bringing wind and rain, thankfully in manageable amounts with minimal damage.

Besides the hurricane, there was a brief standby for a possible tsunami due to the earthquake in Peru. It was soon downgraded when it became apparent that there was no impending danger.

All it takes is the earth’s rumbles and nature’s volatility to remind us of the fragility of life and that the elements are not a controllable force. Humans are not in charge, no matter how much we may think we are.

Despite the rain robbing me of one last idyllic day at the beach, I am very appreciative of the fine weather I’ve experienced the last 12 days and boy, am I glad we visited the Big I. last week and not this week for Flossie would have certainly put a damper on things.

I am also thankful for certain things the rain brings like the excuse to stay home, laze around and do nothing; the gorgeous rainbows one can spot arcing across the sky; the cool breezes that erase the hot mugginess of August; the pristine landscape gleaming through the patina of dust misted away; and the opportunity to go mall walking (the only place to go exercise after dinner).

While the weather was "less than perfect" today, it turned out to be a good day, even if it necessitated a change in plans. It even matched the wistfulness I felt due to my vacation drawing to a close.

And so it was ultimately another perfect day in paradise. Something to give thanks for.