Friday Rain, Dark and Dreary. What to do?

 

Copyright © Mark R Kelly 2025

In the muted half-light allowed by the canvas of a grey palette, otherwise called the sky, the soft hiss of rain blown against my window vies for attention over the gurgling of running water flowing out of the downpipe from the roof guttering. Every so often an audible 'splat' of excess water hitting the garden paving stones below my window tells me one of two things: it's really chucking it down outside, or my guttering needs unblocking. I opt for a third reason - it's a combination of both.

Work at the clinic this morning was enjoyable. It's lovely to have people in for treatment who you find yourself aligning with on so many levels, and as a result, the conversation flows effortlessly, punctuated with laughter - which, during a sports massage session, when trigger pointing someone's piriformis, is no mean feat.

Now I'm home, and sat here typing away, listening to the rain, the gusting wind, and glancing every now and then at the scudding cloud mass above. A niggling voice is badgering me to get on with some physical exercise. I nod quietly to myself, with a non-committal, "maybe".

Better yet, I should dive into continuing with chapter 11 of my story, where there is a cyberpunk high street coffee shop that is begging to be fleshed out and brought to life. This one draws out a tight-lipped, "Hmmm", from me. I know I should, and I will, but not right now. I do a mental check on my muse... a sign might as well say, "Out to Lunch - brb."

There's a cold, wet nudge at my elbow. Aldo looks up at me with his dark chocolate eyes, tail lazily wagging, waiting for me to confirm I understand his request: Feed me! A glance at the clock tells me he's early - only 14:55. As loveable as Aldo is, he's a food hound, and a clever one at that. Now he's sat, staring at me. If he could talk I know what he'd be saying, "Duh, come on - food!" He's a bit of a con-artist, trying to get me to feed him earlier than I should, and working it with those eyes, the "Look at me, I'm sooo cute!", head tilts.

I tell him he's too early. He stands, trying one last time. "Nope." I say. "Go." Tail no longer wagging he returns to his bed and flops down, with a deep exhale, followed by a growling grunt, loud enough for me to hear from the next room, clearly unimpressed with my decision. Chica, on the other hand, just waits, and sleeps the time away.

Outside I can hear the repeated cawing of a Crow. I feel bad, as I haven't fed the birds today, but the rain would only wash the seed away, carrying it into the nooks and crannies of the paving stones, and before I knew it, I'd have a jungle of wild grasses sprouting up everywhere, waving at me cheerfully. So no seed today, Mr. Crow, my humblest apologies.

Well, this is a post to nowhere, and if you've get this far, sorry for the lack of excitement, stunning special effects and car chases, but that's what a rainy day is - at least from where I'm sitting.

I wish you, wherever and whenever you may be, a beautiful day - or night. Have some music by way of recompense. I present to you from the brilliant talent that is Chris Christodoulou and his soundtrack to the game, Risk of Rain 2, and the aptly entitled track - "Through A Cloud, Darkly". Enjoy.