Rainy Day Dining

The umbrellas come out, rain or shine, for outside dining in Vernazza, Italy.  This quaint seaside town along the Cinque Terra is one splash of color after another.  Even on overcast days, the town displays color where ever you look.

"Rainy Day Dining"     © Kathy Dunham 2011

A Wet Christmas

We get very little rain in the desert so having several days of  liquid sunshine actually feels good.  It certainly puts me in the mood for Christmas.  And I have a legitimate reason to light a fire in the fireplace.  Ho, ho, ho.

"A Wet Christmas"       Kathy Dunham 2010

Monsoon Sunset

This time of year the Southwest gets moisture coming up from the Gulf of California creating monsoons.  Sometimes we just get big clouds, other times it's rain and thunder and lightening.  Tonight it was just clouds here in the desert.  But they were certainly colorful.

"Monsoon Sunset"   © Kathy Dunham 2010

After the Shower

Freshly washed flowers after a rain have a pristine quality about them. This calla lily, on a side alley in Eymet, France, seems to sparkle in cleanliness after a morning rain.

"After the Shower"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

A Break in the Storm

More rain today.  Slow and steady which is good, gives it a chance to percolate into the aquifer.  We sure need lots more.  I had to run an errand this afternoon and spotted this bit of sun trying to peek through the clouds.  It didn't last long as we got more rain this evening.

"A Break in the Storm"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Rainy Night in Indian Wells

It's been raining all day, a slow steady drizzle.  We need the rain and it feels great to have some cold wet weather.  I was returning from a reception tonight when I spotted these decorated trees in front of City Hall in Indian Wells.  I was surprised they were all blue, a first for this small city, but they looked great.

"Rainy Night in Indian Wells"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

Paris in the Rain

What could be more inviting than to sit at a sidewalk cafe along the Seine, drinking wine and having a lunch of Boeuf Bourguignonne while getting this spectacular view of Notre Dame?  If the weather is going to be bad, then this is the way to deal with it!


"Paris in the Rain"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

After the Storm

On my agenda today was a "Plein air" class in watercolor for 7 students. Teaching outdoors is challenging at best but we'd had some rain Thursday night with sprinkles predicted through Saturday. Since Friday was pretty nice, sunny with clouds, and with stars showing when I went to bed, I had plenty of confidence for a decent day. Well, at 5 a.m. I was rudely awakened by pouring rain. Being the optimist that I am, I told myself, when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. By the time I left home it was barely misting. But I live 25 miles from our painting location. Everyone showed up, we found some cover, we had a little sun and some rain, a great lunch, more painting and a thoroughly great experience. By the time I returned home, I was rewarded with this beautiful scene of the clouds across the valley at sunset.

"After the Storm" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Rainy Day in Sarlat

I made a run to Costco tonight to pick up a few things and get gas. When I left, the weather was dry and blustery, and when I came out 45 minutes later the ground was soaked. It felt good and we sure need the moisture. But I was reminded of a rainy day we spent in Sarlat, France last May. Wandering a Medieval town in the rain has a totally different feel than a sunny day. The colors are muted, the well worn streets take on a patina with the moisture and people scurrying under umbrellas gives it a whole different atmosphere.

"Rainy Day in Sarlat" © Kathy Dunham 2009