Thursday, August 5, 2010

Simply Colorful


Believe it or not,
I *almost* missed my simple pleasure this week.
 I was racing along those 30 country miles,
completely consumed in my thoughts...
clicking off the mental checklist...
worrying about the dinner I had yet to plan...

I was about a half mile or so from the entrance to our neighbhorhood
when I happened to glance over my left shoulder,
and I saw this.


Isn't that beautiful?
How in the world could I have *almost* missed it?

The husband would never have missed it.
Nope.
He would have been on the lookout for it.
Rainbows, you see, are his simple pleasure.

I have never seen anyone more delighted about a bunch of colors in the sky than that man.


He becomes like a little child.
The minute he sees a ray of sunshine breaking through the rain, he begins the hunt,
twisting his neck in all sorts of positions…
peering through the clouds for the burst of color that he's positive he'll see.

Generally, he's rewarded for his efforts, too.

I can't count the number of times that I have been busy about the house only to be beckoned with a sense of urgency to come out of doors. Years ago, it would alarm me. I would be certain that some show shopping, life altering occurance had taken place. My panic button is pretty much set on "automatic", after all.  

He will just  point to the sky.
Look!

Sometimes, he calls me from the road just to report a significant one. Once he phoned, almost speechless.
Believe it or not, he told me,  he had just driven through a rainbow. The colors had crept through his car window and literally crossed over his arms as he drove. It may seem unlikely, but I believed him.

If God were going to color any person with a rainbow, it would be that man.

So when I saw this perfect arch in the sky the other day, I knew that I had to stop the car, pull out the shiny red Kodak and try… somewhat unsuccessfully... to capture it for him.  Then, I realized that he was home, holed up in an office which looks out, not on the open sky, but on that  piney stick forest.  Very probably, he had no idea what was just though the trees.

So I called him.
And with great urgency, I said,

“Quick! Get outside and meet me in the driveway!” 

He didn't ask why.  He just did it. His panic button is set on "almost never".  I pulled into the neighbhorhood, and there he was, craning that neck like an owl and peering up through the trees.

 So I rolled down the window and yelled to him.
“If you’re looking for a rainbow, you’re going to have to hop in.”

He hopped. 
We sat beside the road for a while, just admiring it.


He dubbed it one of the prettiest ones he had ever seen.
Quite a compliment coming from such a rainbow aficionado.

Now, if you’re thinking that my simple pleasure this week is that rainbow,
 you would be wrong.
I like them, but rainbows are his simple pleasure,
not really mine.
My simple pleasure this week was
watching him
 enjoying his.

****
Project Simple Pleasures2
Sharing this with Dayle at A Collection of This and That

42 comments:

Chatty Crone said...

What a beautiful love story. As I was reading this I wondered - this guy has to be your simple pleasure - I am so glad he was! He sounds wonderful and it is wonderful you knowing and appreciating him.

A man looking for rainbows = awesome.

sandie

Linda W said...

Like surprising someone with a beautifully wrapped, unexpected gift. Nothing gives me more pleasure than watching someone else enjoying theirs.

What a heartwarming love story and I'm delighted you chose to share.

Kathy said...

Hello there! Your husband sounds like me! My daughter and I were on the way home from shopping last week and we saw a very similar rainbow - I was twisting and turning to see it through the trees! It was marvelous!
What a blessing!
Kathy

Denise said...

Awe, you made me cry...again. I don't think I ever told you that last year when you were worrying over health issues, I saw a rainbow. I was coming home from a visit in Macon, praying my heart out for you, when lo and behold God sent me a double rainbow and I knew it was just for you. God is amazing isn't He?
Hugs to you today dear sister,
Denise

PS I think your man is pretty amazing, too.

Leslie {Goodbye, house. Hello, home!} said...

Oh, Debbie, this is a lovely post!
It reminded me to love and admire my hubby more for the simple, sweet man that he is.
My Mark also loves rainbows, so I could totally relate!
I do not doubt that your hubby drove through a rainbow--it's just like our God to give him a gift like that, especially when he knew that your hubby would love it so much.
Again, just a lovely post that made me cry :)
I'm glad I know you.

Hugs,
~me

Christine said...

Great post! And today we both used our husbands as examples for simple pleasures.

Grace on the Narrow Path said...

That is so sweet!!! God blessed you with many simple pleasures.
Blessings,
Bren

Jennie said...

Awww...this brought tears to my eyes! Just beautiful! (As is Mrs. Denise's comment above!)

I hope that Sam and I continue to find joy in each other just as you two do.

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Debbie, this is pure delight! You have a wonderful way with words, and I never say that lightly to anyone. And what a charming love story you weave here... the fact that you even notice your husband's simple pleasure speaks volumes about you. Pure delight. Thanks for linking up today, and your rainbow photographs are spot-on.

Melissa Miller said...

How wonderful Debbie! Gorgeous photos as well.

FrouFrouBritches said...

You are soo precious Debbie! How sweet for you to get so excited about the things your Hubby loves. I love that.

My panic button is set to automatic too! Hubby called me from the other side of the house the other day in the same urgent manner. I came running into the house, phone in hand, ready to call an ambulance because he urgently wanted to show me something on TV. UGH!

Skoots1moM said...

nicely caught!

Cindy said...

What a awesome little story and such a wonderful simple pleasure. I love it when we can really truly enjoy someone else getting such pleasure for something and we can witness it.

Great simple pleasure!

Merana Leigh said...

I was thinking just how you ended that lovely story...your joy came in watching him! (kinda like watching kids at Christmas, isn't it?). Me...I'm diggin' on those haybales in the green field with the rainbow behind it. {blush}...I readily confess to pulling over to watch farmers put up hay bales. LOVE it!

LOVE this blog, my friend. I plan to visit often! Would love to have you stop by mine & follow if you'd like. And I welcome any comments you care to share...uh, I mean yak out! ;o}

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh Debbie,
What a beautiful story--and rainbow pic!!!!

Patti said...

What a fun story!! Sounds like you have quite the guy there. I'm glad he slows down to enjoy the rainbows. As we all know, most of us go through life at break-neck speed, never pausing long enough to notice, let alone enjoy, the beauty God has given us in his creation.

I'm glad you enjoyed a rainbow of your own...and that you posted such a pretty photo.

Have a wonderful day,
Patti

Gayle said...

That rainbow is fabulous, and you always make me smile. The best things life are, truly, free.

nannykim said...

Very cool post! Ha, I am always looking for them too. Whenever we get rain with some quick sunshine peaking out we run and look out the front door. We often see them at times like that.....Glad your hubby enjoys them!

nannykim said...

Ps. Like your header.

Renée said...

Thanks so much! I'm hosting a dinner for 100 tonight and needed this reminder. I'm glad I took two minutes off my feet to read your sweet experience. We have great rainbows in IDAHO...and your husband would be so happy, me too!

Ms.Daisy said...

Hi,
Rainbows - God's Promise! I love rainbows! They are awesome, really, and it is wonderful that they are the favorites of your hubby and that you recognize it.

~Jean

Sharon said...

Oh, Debbie...

With tears in my eyes, I am giving you "jazz hands" AND "snaps for God." What a precious story!

GOD BLESS!

P.S. I know IRL, you and I would be "two peas in a pod" - and get into all sorts of delicious trouble!!! (LOL)

Terra said...

A charming rainbow story and photo.

Unknown said...

Beautiful post! The simple things in life are always the best. Thanks for sharing and for visiting.
Sandy

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

What a marriage is meant to be, delighting in our partners joy. Thank you for sharing this.
(())

Joan Hall said...

Beautiful pictures. I love rainbows - and I love your post, "my simple pleasure this week was watching him enjoying his."

Blessings,
Joan

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

What a perfectly wonderful story. I feel like I know you and your husband just from the little glimpse of a rainbow lover and his adoring wife.

Please visit Beach Bungalow and check out 'A Writer's Fantasy' sometime soon.

An keep on writing!

Sue
xo

Lynn said...

Beautiful shots! I was driving over the Walt Whitman Bridge from Philly to Jersey on evening and there was a rainbow perfectly centered over the bridge... oh how wonderful would it have been to stop my car and get THAT shot!

Amy Kinser said...

That was one of the sweetest things I have read in a long time.

You caused me to have a simple pleasure in reading about the love you feel for this obvious sweet man.

Nancy's Daily Dish said...

What a touching, beautiful love story. You're both blessed! Lovely rainbow photos! Thanks for sharing!

Nancy

p/s your header photo is stunning too!

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

What a sweet post! Love it! So nice to hear people these days getting excited about things like this! God's promise in the sky! I'm sure you made Him smile!!

I have just posted on the Rooster Party, come see!

Katherine

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

This is my first visit to your blog. I love this beautiful post! How wonderful that you see the beauty and pleasure in watching your husband enjoy the rainbow. I love that simple pleasure. Again, I have to say that I love this post, and I'm so glad I came over to visit. I also like your blog name and the picture in your header. laurie

Anita Diaz said...

What a sweet post!! It's so nice to share something so beautiful! Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Designs on 47th Street said...

I have a strong feeling I would like your husband and I would like you too. What a precious story you shared with us. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog recently. Do come again. Donna

Unknown said...

Debbie-
I just ADORE that you called your husband to come and look at the rainbow. And that he jumped in the car and off you went. I am inspired to put a camera in my car. There have just been way too many missed opportunities. I am going to find my simple pleasure today. Which means I have to be in the present moment, and not tuned into my panic button, which is on overdrive right now. What a great way to start the day!!

I looked at your tablescape as well--so fun!! Have you seen this blog?
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com
enjoy!
lynn

Sharon said...

Had to send another comment.

Today I came to a stop signal in town. As I was sitting waiting for the light to turn green, I glanced over at a "right turn only" sign - one of those street signs that have a sort of reflective quality to them.

And there...reflected in the sunlight, right ON the sign, was a small, but beautiful RAINBOW - glowing as if it was its big brother in the sky!!

I couldn't help but smile - thinking of your husband - and praising the Lord of rainbow promises, for the beauty of His light.

GOD BLESS!

Sue said...

I'm glad you visited me, so that I came to visit you! I love the way you told this story. I've always loved rainbows, but they have taken on a new meaning for me since my mom died in May. I've seen more than ever before, and always at just the perfect time. I may be right up there with your husband as the rainbow's biggest fan these days!

Sue

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

This rainbow is beautiful! I am like your husband when it comes to them!
What a fantastic post. I hung on ever word!
And my simple pleasure this week just might be readings your lovely post about your husband and a rainbow! Simply darling!
Yvonne

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

That was so sweet! I even said to myself that he's the one that would be giving me joy to watch! He sounds like a great guy!

Manuela

Rettabug said...

I'm with your hubby...searching them out after every rain! :-) Beautiful post & so sweet of you to call ahead & alert him.

LOVED your hot pink & green tablescape this week. All those "L's" would work beautifully for me, as it is my first & last name initial. If she ever gets tired of any, I'll be happy to send you my address! LOL

hugs,
Rett (short for LoRETTa)

Entertaining Women said...

I'm the lady always standing down the road 'just a piece' from your husband, watching the rainbows. Once, driving through Denver, we saw a rainbow and followed it. We actually FOUND the end of the rainbow! It was diving into the ground, right into the pitcher's mound of a lovely little baseball diamond. We parked, ran across the field, and stood in the rainbow. One of my favorite memories. I hope that you get to see the Bavinger House some day. Cherry Kay

The Queens Table said...

I am like your husband running out side when the conditions are ripe! Hopefully with my camera too! Sweet true-life tale of you enjoying your husbands simple pleasure!

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