As crappy as Friday was, Sunday was fun.

We went to my brother's cool new house Sunday morning for a Father's day lunch.  We had some really yummy food including avocado hummus and my grandma's YUMMY deviled eggs (who I might add at 93 years old was looking typically spiffy in her new trendy blue pants and matching wrap-around top.  Granny is a total fashion plate!).  Then we had a really good fish stew from my cooking inspired brother.  It was really a lot of fun with my folks and family! That's definitely one nice thing about being back in NC--seeing the family regularly!  

We left their house to come back to Charlotte for a picnic in the park and the Charlotte Symphony Pops concert.  We packed up the picnic basket (with food I cooked on Saturday which really, really tried to be yummy, and just couldn't) and met Cath at 6:00.  We drove over in complete sunshine, but saw clouds behind the stage when we arrived.  No problem!  We checked weather.com before we left and saw the green stuff way to the west of Charlotte.  However.  From past experience, we knew it wasn't a good sign when they pulled out the tarps.  Then, Sherry (from the Bob and Sherry morning radio show) came on and said that a quick, but severe storm was coming through.  It was the only one they could see and nothing would be postponed. 

Ok. We'd already spread the blanket and picnic stuff out.  Catherine had an umbrella so we figured we could stay dry---but the food?!  A---HA!  We had arrived very early, and around the picnic area were empty cardboard boxes to be used as trash cans later in the evening.  They were all on their sides..and one was right by us, empty and clean as a whistle.  We stuck all our food and baskets and blankets and shoes inside it and had a group hug under the umbrella as the rain came down.  Two really cool things about that. 1)  the background music from the "pre-show" was totally accompanying the storm!  We have no idea what it was, but it was perfect.  Big bass drums.  Stormy music.  Perfect!  Whether they played that stormy CD on purpose or we just got lucky, I don't know.  2) We saw the storm coming.  It was so cool!  We huddled under the umbrella as the light rain started and then saw the heavy storm coming at us slowly across the field.  Way cool! 

It was a quick storm.  Over in a few minutes.  We set our dry (!) picnic supplies and commenced to enjoy a gorgeous afternoon.  Blainey Pants arrived with a bigger, mostly dry blanket and we had fun. 

Then it started to sprinkle a little.  No problem!  The sky was mostly clear over us.  Just a few residual drops.  Then a few more.  Catherine broke out the umbrella again.  She and Dave were on one side of the blanket and got under the umbrella.  Blaine and I, on the other side of the blanket, weren't worried about a few stinkin' raindrops.  Then it really started raining.  Blaine and I look around and realize we are the only two people who weren't taking cover besides 1)  the two teenage boys and 2) the green shirt dude.  It was pouring!  We were soaked!  It really wasn't bad.  The rain was warm.  We had on dark shirts.  What's the problem!?  In fact, it was funny and it was fun.  I don't know why, but we kept cracking up.  Sometimes you know when you're in the midst of a good memory.

The rain stopped and there was not a cloud in the sky.  It even got hot again.   Catherine went onstage to play--associate concert master for the summer, a big deal!!!  The music was great!  I even had a moment during Romeo and Juliet where I "got" the longing and beauty and innocence of young love.  (one has to cherish those art moments especially when one is an art poser like moi) 

A final odd "moment" for the evening.  The sun had set and I'm looking around at the now calm sky.  I looked to the west and saw my favorite sight at night:  light blue sky above the horizon and the dark blue mountains in the distance.  And then I realized that Charlotte doesn't have any mountains anywhere nearby.  What I saw were the different clouds in the sky, but what I wanted to see was Los Angeles.  I realized how much I miss being surrounded by mountains.  I had a real, aching longing to be back in LA with the light blue sky illuminated by the sun already sinking below the mountains.  I love Charlotte and NC.  And even though LA can feel like one continual shopping plaza, its natural beauty can sometimes take your breath away.  (You just have to look over the telephone pole wires)

Off to paint our fence before the next storm arrives.

8:26:26 AM