rain...at last

It's raining. Finally. We haven't had rain in months. Such a drought...in the Spring...in Houston is rare. I heard on the news that the last time we had more than 1/2" of rain was January 24th. And unless this storm brings between 15 and 18 inches of rain...we are still going to be at a serious deficit.

Look at me! Talking about the weather like an old timer!

We have this "thing" at our school called "inclement weather dismissal," which means that because of thunder and lightening they won't release the walkers and bike riders to walk or...er....ride. In the two years we've been without busing...the inclement weather dismissal has never occurred. And because of its rare occurrence, I am not up on the specifics.

For this reason I made a spectacle of myself today at the elementary school. Here's how it went down:

When it was still raining near the end-of-school-time, I checked the school website just to make sure it wasn't an inclement weather day. Nope, nothing there. Supposedly I was to receive a phone call or an e-mail. No. Neither. I waited a few minutes, but then I got antsy. I grabbed an umbrella and hopped on my bike thinking I would meet Parker along the way. If you happen to be awkward and clumsy (I'm both) I wouldn't recommend holding an umbrella and riding a bike in windy, rainy weather. Not an easy task.

Once I'm about halfway there, and I don't see anyone on the trail, I realize it must, indeed, be an inclement weather day. And although I am clinging to my umbrella as if it is a life raft (which at one point turns completely inside out) my pant legs are soaked through and splattered with mud. But, I reason, I'm almost to the school. So, I'll just carry on, pick up Parker, ride with him home, and then dry off.

Wet and bedraggled I approach the school. I ask one of the teachers standing outside where I can go to pick up my child. She tells me I can't pick him up without a car.

Oh.

Well, my car is at home.

You need a car.

My car is at home.

So I'm directed to the office where I learn, in fact, that I do need a car to pick up my child on an inclement weather day. I'm sure such a policy is more to stem the tide of pushy parents rushing the school to get their kids than to discriminate against people without cars. But still.

There are several parents in front of me that are nigh onto hysterical. They are DEMANDING their children. They are BERATING this INEFFICIENT system. They are OUT FOR BLOOD.

I decide to call Jordan to come and get us. She has a car...which apparently I need in a bad way.

But while I'm trying to reach Jordan, the principal, in an effort to clear out the angry mob, announces she'll get the kids for the parents in the office. She doesn't want to. She knows it might cause additional confusion and unrest, but she agrees to do it. I slowly put down the phone and stand quietly until Parker is brought to me. (Because, you see, the line is at least an hour wait.)

Then we walk out the back of the school, fetch our bikes, and ride through the rain while some 100+ people in the car line watch us. I'm certain they were judgmental. I'm sure they were clucking their tongues and shaking their heads at me and my wet child in the rain on our bikes. I felt slightly foolish myself. But I was already there. I had two bikes there. I was already soaking wet. It seemed most prudent to just carry on.

So I did.

Have I ever told you that my grandmother was just such a lady to CARRY ON? One time, when I was in elementary school, she came to stay with us while my parents went on a trip. It must have been summertime in Texas and HOT. She wanted to go on a nature walk. She was always going on about the nature walk. I was not a fan of hot nature. I'm sure I told her so. She claimed that an umbrella would keep the hot sun off of us. So, she picked up the uber large patio umbrella (right out of the hole in the middle of the patio table) and marched all five of us off on a nature walk. Under the patio umbrella! I remember thinking, "I can't wait until my mom gets home and I can tell her how inappropriately the patio umbrella was abused." But now? I think my grandmother was one resourceful lady.

 

Comments

[au]

i love doing just about everything in the rain. went for a mountain bike ride in a hailstorm on monday. seriously, all those people watching from their rolling prisons were jealous of you and Parker! carry on!

[rebecca Ellis]

I love this story, Mama Bear! Who are they to deny a mother her child?

[Mary Theodosis]

That bunch at Parker's school need to take a look at the stewardship rules. I love it that you didn't have to hurt anyone. I'm afraid I would have, with my tongue anyway. You know, stick the tongue out as far as it will go and slash away. Opps! Getting a little crazy here.
You are so right about our Mother. She would never be deterred in her Grandmotherly duties. Hey, we used to lay on the living room floor for an hour every day to ensure we have nice straight backs, shoulders back. I'm sure the poor lady was exhausted with us and needed a rest. Luckily she didn't pile things on top of us to hold us down.

[Annie]

I love ladies who Carry On. And their descendants are always cool, too.
On a completely different topic, I am always wowed by your menus and am about to commence a blog stalking to gather up ideas from meals this week from Things You've Made. Carry on.

[mulberry factory]

I find life an exciting business,The point is succinctness of expression.