Monday, April 13, 2009

WAITING FOR A SUMMER WIND


Today was overcast and chilly (+6C/42F) with a strong wind that lowered the temperature even further. The only consolation for me was that it was an offshore wind, so there were no deafening waves, and no sheets of spray whipped against my back windows to leave them gray and streaked. The back porch is what’s called a “Florida room” around here. It’s meant to be a 3-season room, closed off in winter with a sliding glass doorwall, but it can get too hot in there in the sticky days of mid-summer. It’s at its best on sunny days in late spring or early fall. That’s what I’m waiting for now. A day when the onshore breeze is just right, the waves are behaving themselves, and I can tilt the porch windows open wide and invite the beautiful day to come inside. These are the moments when my collection of wind bells and chimes gently sound, after months of silence.


In the east side of the porch there’s a Tibetan bell my friend Arlie brought me from a little store on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia that sells Buddhist supplies to the locals. There’s also a long, elegant windbell that Sydney brought me from Arcosanti, and a little frog bell I bought at a garden store in Alberta’s High Country. Tucked in the corner is a string of rusted metal turtles with a small-but-heavy bell from India at the very bottom. This used to hang outside on my deck in the foothills, and when the wind would begin to blow hard enough to ring this bell, I’d know it was time to go out and batten down a few things.



In the west corner is a pretty chime with stamped metal birds flying around a central tube, a Chinese chime made of old cash coins that were painted, now chipped and worn, and finally there’s the one silent hanging object in the room – a painted lantern made from a can with spiraling designs punched into it with an awl, held up by a cast iron monkey. There are a few other small chimes scattered around, including a tin fish on the south window. It’s a room full of memories of good times and good friends; always a pleasure to look at, even more wonderful to sit beneath and listen.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

A lovely collection - I particularly like the birds circling the chime.

Shelley said...

The birds around the chime is my favorite too!!

Great Grandma Lin said...

I love wind chimes. too bad you can't put a fan in there for hotter days to enjoy the room more.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

A beautiful room, Deb. I can understand why you are anxious to be able to go out there and enjoy yourself!!!! What a great Florida Room... Love your windchimes. We have them all around our house--on the outside (about 8 different ones--including one large one).

Hugs,
Betsy

Sylvia K said...

I love them all! Would love to have a chance to sit there and visit with you! Spring will get here -- eventually -- won't it???
I'm waiting, waiting ---

Cloudia said...

Your domain beckons warmly!
Aloha

Indrani said...

Nice concept of 3 seasons room. So beautifully decorated too. I liked the fish chime very much.

Squirrel said...

I love wind chimes too... and today's weather was odd, starting out so good then getting chillier and chillier and damp feeling.... but the rain never showed up. windy enough for chimes though... I wish i had a Florida room or greenhouse addition.

bobbie said...

What a delightful place that room must be. I love bells and chimes of all kinds. And the fact that many are gifts or memories for you must make it very special for you.

Squirrel said...

yikes...a chill overcast day here, 46 F. brrr after a few warm sunny days. Can you try growing a wall of vines on the southern exposure of the Florida room to help cool it on oppressive days? Like a pergola? Or some sort of shade system? More ventilation?

Squirrel said...

are the birds circling the tube the same of your profile bird? Very graceful.

Anonymous said...

I bow my head. My lonely wind chime is asking me why he can't have all the friends you give to your chime... ;P

Love them.

Quiet Paths said...

I just love the idea of a Florida room. Our first house we rented in Choteau had a big glassed in porch. That is the closest I've come to having one. When we visited Sechelt I noticed that everyone had them there too. You have such a variety of wind music makers. Wonderful!

Ruth said...

I love wind chimes and bells. Your room would be a favourite of mine too. It still is pretty windy around here today.