A Great Rainy, Gray Day 4


Yesterday it was a sunny, lovely 84 degrees in Boston.  Today is gray, in the low 60s, and a substantial rain has been falling all day.

The rain worked for me today.  Part of the reason it worked was what it thinned out the maddening crowd.  (Yesterday, downtown was swarming with people at Downtown Crossing, in Post Office Square and on the Commons.)  Part of the reason it worked was that I went on out in it.  I read some where recently that skin is waterproof.  Yeah, it is, I thought in response.  Though hair, not so much.  As a woman of Black and Puerto Rican ancestry, my hair is not waterproof.  Many of us, especially on the Black side, avoid the rain like a vampire avoids the sun.  (Some of us avoid the sun, too, but that’s another story for another time.)  No visit to the beauty salon for me today.  I put my hair up in a ponytail, slicked back the edges with my olive oil hairdressing, made-up my eyes, put on some big hoop earrings, grabbed my umbrella and a jacket and off I went.

At the bus stop, I saw a transit friend who lives in the neighborhood who I hadn’t seen in a couple of months since my work schedule has changed significantly (as in I don’t have a regular job to go to!)  We caught up and made plans to finally go walking together.  She told me she’s leaving to visit her family in Cape Verdes in two weeks, something she’s been saying she was going to do for a couple of years.  Congratulations for her!

First stop, Registry of Motor Vehicles downtown.  Believe it or not, I renewed my license in 35 minute start-to-finish!    My # was B850.  When I sat down to wait – with the hefty, nearly 1000 page novel I thought would get me through the wait, – they called #B821.  I’d only read two pages or so when I realized they were on B841 and I’d better pay attention.

That done, I went to the post office for stamps and to mail a small package, letters, and bills.  I was the second person in a two-person line with two postal workers at their windows.  How lucky is that?  Zip-zip, speedy.  Stopped in the CVS next.  Again, only one person ahead of me in line.

Then I walked to South Station – a 7 minute walk, rain pouring.  I don’t care, I’m water-proof although you would think I’d invest in a true rain cape and hat given how rainy New England is.  (Note to self – do that – sooner than later.)

The station was crowded with people at the food vendors and waiting on various Amtrak and commuter trains.  This didn’t bother me because I was headed to the bus terminal to buy a ticket to my board meeting in Vermont.  Only one person ahead of me in line, I purchased my ticket in about 30 seconds.  Walked back to the train station for a little indulgence.   Rosie’s Bakery didn’t have cupcakes for sale today, but they did have their delectable “chocolate orgasms.”  I, however, decided to pass because I really wanted a cupcake.   When you’ve got a craving – you must satisfy it with what you really want.  Otherwise you’ll be unfulfilled.   This made me feel virtuous and not like the oink-oink, pig I was fittin’ to be.  Walked down to catch the Red Line to Ashmont.  No sooner than I fished the novel our of my bag, I heard the recorded voice saying, “The next Red Line traing to Ashmont is now arriving!”  Now this rarely happens.  90% of the time, the Braintree train comes first.  It’s the rain, I’m telling you.  The rain.

Made my bus connection in quick time and went past my stop to a nearby spa to see if my favorite person was working.  She was and I got my eyebrows waxed just the way I like them.

Walked the four blocks home in the rain, bought a lottery ticket at the corner store – this is a lucky day maybe I’ll get lucky.  (Used one of the dollars I would have spent on the cupcake.)  Checked the mail, there were no bills in the mail today.  Yippee – for a moment everything is paid.

What a great rainy day because I did what I needed to do instead of putting it off until later. (I’ve learned, whenever possible, not to put off errands unnecessarily because whenever I do, something interferes with getting them done.)  

I can hear Bill Withers singing, “A lovely day.”  And the background singers responding, “Lovely Day, Lovely Day, Love-ly Day.”


About Candelaria Silva

Candelaria Silva-Collins is a marketing, community outreach and programming consultant; writer; and trainer/facilitator who lives in Boston, Massachusetts. She has designed and facilitated workshops on a wide variety of topics including communication, facilitation, job search skills, team building, and parenting issues. She currently coordinates the Community Membership Program of the Huntington Theatre Company. Her work as Director of ACT Roxbury was profiled in several publications, including The Creative Communities Builders Handbook. Candelaria’s children’s stories, short stories, essays and reviews have been published in local and national publications and she is an active blogger. Her publications include the booklets, Handling Rejection; Pushing through Shyness: Networking Tips when You’re Shy, Slow to Warm Up or Just don’t Feel you Belong; and Real Questions about Sex & Relationships for Teens: A Discussion Guide for Parents. She has served on the boards of Goddard College, Wheelock Family Theatre, Boston Foundation for Architecture, and Discover Roxbury. She is currently Chair, Designators of the Henderson Foundation.

4 thoughts on “A Great Rainy, Gray Day

  • Queenie

    It sounds like a great day. I lived in Boston for a long time, and could feel every place you went today. I’m heading in on Friday for the game, and can’t wait. Thanks for the virtual walk!

    I’ve tagged you to write a six line memoir for yourself. If you’d like to play, click on through to my blog for the rules!

    PS You’ve inspired me to sneak out and get a pedicure tomorrow. I never make time for myself–I love that you did, between errands.

  • Ambi

    So what do you recomend I do with Saige its going to be 95 or higher for the next week or so…we love you and I’ll get Ladybug a rain coat and boots for when we come and visit.

  • Alicia

    I am glad you were able to have a good day in the rain. My rainy day over here isn’t as peachy!

    here from NaComLeavMO

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