The Blessing of Rain

Over three days, we were blessed with more than three inches of rain--a great relief to our parched pastures and sweating selves.

Such a delight to sit on the porch after the rain and watch the mists rise and a rainbow form.

Simple pleasures.

 

A Fire Next Time

I can never see a rainbow without the Carter Family singing in my head.

God Gave Noah the Rainbow Sign

The Carter Family

I've got a home in that rock

Don't you see (don't you see)

I've got a home in that rock

Don't you see

I've got a home in that rock

Just beyond the mountaintop

Hide me over, Rock of Ages, cleft for me.

God gave Noah the rainbow sign

Don't you see (don't you see)

God gave Noah the rainbow sign

Don't you see

God gave Noah the rainbow sign

No more water, but the fire next time

Hide me over, Rock of Ages, cleft for me.

Poor old Lazarus, poor as I

Don't you see (don't you see)

Poor old Lazarus, poor as I

Don't you see

Poor old Lazarus, poor as I

When he died he had a home on high

Hide me over, Rock of Ages, cleft for me.

East and West the fire will roll

Hide thy me (hide thy me)

East and West the fire will roll

Hide thy me

East and West the fire will roll

How will it be with my poor soul?

Hide me over, Rock of Ages, cleft for me.

When this world's all on fire

Hide thy me (hide thy me)

When this world's all on fire

Hide thy me

When this world's all on fire

Let thy bosom be my pillow

Hide me over, Rock of Ages, cleft for me.

I wonder if any other religious sect has the wealth of popular/folk music that Fundamentalist Christianity, mainly in the southern USA, has in Country and Gospel music. And I wonder how many folks' beliefs are, to some extent, based on this music.

I'm not a believer--but I do like the music.

You can listen to the Carter Family performing the song HERE

 

PRIDE

 

Banned in Florida?

Such a beautiful sight! And so many cultures have read a meaning into it--beyond the scientific explanation. The Judeo-Christian traditionsees it as a sign of the deity's choosing to spare mankind (what's left of it) after the flood. African and Aboriginal Australians see/saw it as a creator goddess/snake. The Romans had Iris, goddess of the rainbow, who, along with Mercury brought messages to mankind. Norse tradition saw it as a bridge for heroes climbing to Valhalla.

Today, in the US, the rainbow has been claimed by groups promoting diversity and by LGBTQ groups and their allies. (Also, by little girls who love pink and purple and unicorns too.)

I gotta say, the first thing I think of when I see a rainbow these days is a heavenly 'Up yours,' to the increasingly and worryingly authoritarian governor of Florida. 

"Ban this, Ron!"

 

This Blessed Land

Even when you know the science behind rainbows, they still feel like a magical blessing.