Link Ups, Reflection, Vancouver Island

Rhythm of the Rain

Retirement Reflections

When I was eleven years old, in sixth grade, friends and I entered a school talent show. We did an early version of the line dance and moved (somewhat in sync) to ‘Rhythm of the Rain’ by the Cascades. What do I remember about this experience?

  1. I remember that leading up to our performance, my friends and I decided to make matching green outfits by dying our white t-shirts lime green (sorry, mom). Since we never thought to wear plastic gloves, our hands were still green-stained during the show.
  2. I do remember the performance. Or at least, I remember remembering it! Funny, I don’t remember being overly nervous, but that cannot be right. I must have let that part slip from memory.
  3. I also don’t remember how well we did. But I do remember being proud of ourselves when we were finished. So it must have gone okay (at least in our minds).
  4. Most of all, I remember the sense of belonging. I really couldn’t sing, wasn’t much better at dancing and wasn’t particularly coordinated. Still, my friends included me. The power of being accepted for who we are knows no bounds. It is an important life lesson.

Here are my rainy day stills (sadly, no photos have survived of that performance…at least none of which I am aware).

A cold and wet day at the Boston Marathon 2017. 2,500 athletes received medical treatment, mostly due to hypothermia. Luckily, Creighton made it to the finish without repercussions (other than being very, very cold and very, very tired)!
Living on Vancouver Island means owning a good raincoat (or two, or three…), plus waterproof boots. Here members of the Muttley Crew Dog Walking Group show that great friends will walk with you… even in a downpour. Now that’s saying something!
Via Francigena 2019: I carried this rain gear for 400 km on the Italian Camino and only needed it for less than 5 minutes. Literally!
Rainbows make everything better. Parksville, BC.
Rainy Day People always know when it’s time to call. Bloggers Deb from The Widow Badass and Joanne from My Life Lived Full and Following a Bold Plan.
Another rainy ferry ride.
This is me in Grade Six…without the Rhythm of the Rain performance gear or the green-dyed hands.

Here is the music:

Rhythm of the Rain. Written by John Claude Gummoe. Recorded by the Cascades in 1962 by Valiant Records. (Pop, Doo Wop)

Dan Fogelberg’s soft rock version was released in 1990 on his album, The Wild Places.

Rainy day people, I love a rainy night as well as singing in the rain…. There are endless songs to choose from. What is your favourite rainy day song? If you know the link, please include it with your comment so we can sing along. And if you have an anecdote to go with your song, I’d love to hear that too!

Enjoying #SundayStills? Why not check out posts from these bloggers? And if you would like to join in, we would love to have you. The community is awesome. You can get more details here.

#SundayStills
#RainyDay
#RythymoftheRain

Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

101 thoughts on “Rhythm of the Rain”

  3. Lovely memories cascading outward to an equally lovely post. The picture on the ferry is as fine as in Impressionist painting. One to frame. That certainly is a sweet picture of your younger self. As for a favorite rain song: “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” by Credence Clearwater Revival.

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  4. I enjoyed this post and your pictures~all so beautiful. I love “Rainy Days and Monday’s “~The Carpenters and of course, “Singin’ in the Rain” by Bing Crosby being a close 2nd! Stay safe and blessed.

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    1. Hi, Kate – It is amazing how certain songs can immediately transport us back to a very specific place in time. Rhythm of the Rain = Grade 6, Rainy Days and Mondays = Grade 8, Singing in the Rain = Punchline….the list goes on! 😀
      Hope all is well there.

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  9. What beautiful photos of rainy days and rainy day people, Donna! I also love your 6th grade picture and the description of your dance with green hands. Wonderful memories! I chuckled at your three raincoats, as I am right there with you. Thank you for posting all the links, as well, much appreciated!

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    1. Hi, Terri – This proved to be a very timely theme. It has been raining here all week long. How did you know in advance that this would happen?! 😀
      I am greatly enjoying all of the different #SundayStills posts. You have gathered together a very warm and creative community. Thank you! 😀

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  10. Thanks for the link. My favorite shot is the ferry ride shot, but all the shots with the people in them are very inviting. We moved to Arizona just under a year ago so rain shots have become few and far between. 🙂

    janet

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    1. Hi, Janet – When we retired to Vancouver Island 5.5 years ago, I was sure that I would never (ever) get used to all of the Winter Rain. Either it has gotten better over the past couple of years, or I have gotten used to it. It’s always a mixed blessing – when we don’t get enough winter rain we go into summer drought. So, I did the only thing that I knew how to do — I invested in raincoats (and waterproof pants and waterproof boots and umbrellas)! Thanks so much for stopping by. I greatly appreciate it.:D

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      1. That’s all you can do. When we moved to Arizona, I bought some long-sleeved sun-resistant shirts and I use them. I don’t want to get skin cancer. Usually I walk right at sunrise, so those rays aren’t likely to cause problems. But the rest of the time, I’m very careful.

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  12. As you know, we (sadly) don’t get much rain where we live so these pictures let me enjoy a little rain without getting wet. I love your story about your sixth-grade performance and, of course, the photo of you way back when. Funny story about you packing – and carrying – rain gear but not using it. I’ve done that… as well as made the decision not to pack it and regretting it.

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    1. Thanks, Janis – It’s been a very cold and wet week here… which always leaves me longing for warmer, drier climates. Two universal truths: (1) the grass often does seem greener on the other side and (2) when we most need an umbrella is exactly when we forgot to pack it!
      See you Friday with your gadget! 😀

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    1. Hi, Anabel – It’s been fun to listen/watch all of the songs/videos that people have posted. Thank you for sharing yours. I wholeheartedly agree. Annie Lennox IS wonderful. I love this song from the catchy opening notes onward. 😀

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  14. I love this post. It seldom rains here in Spain but it is pouring today, my birthday so this is so perfect. I´m feeling very nostalgic as I´m getting messages from old friends so Rhythm of the Rain brought back many memories. It was one of my favourite songs. Loved your story about the talent show. I was around the same age when I and three friends sang the Everley Brothers, All I have to do is Dream at a local talent show. We won a prize too. Another favourite rain song of mine is CCR´s Have You Ever Seen The Rain. I love this version. John Fogerty still has such an amazing voice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxOTh3fKnOo

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    1. Happy, Happy Birthday, Darlene. I’m so glad to hear that you’ve had a great day filled with awesome memories.
      It’s fun that we both have good memories of school talent shows from about the same age. I also love the Everley Brothers (and recently shared one of their songs in a #SundayStills post). I also greatly enjoyed the CCR video that you shared.
      When I first began to read your comment about it seldom raining in Spain, I thought that the link you shared might be this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVmU3iANbgk. Fun memories all around!

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  15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgyUYRMWAK4 Kris Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge … I had to search for a song about Rain and the first was KK who I absolutely adore. I love the Everly Brothers one – upbeat and real de wop doop bop!

    Your photos are lovely Donna, and what a sweet photo of your younger self! A friend is flying down to stay for a few days this coming Friday and she’s bringing a suitcase! (Noting your raincoat) I’m saying to her bring a few t – shirts, slip slops, walking shoes, jeans and nothing else. Maybe a jersey OR a jacket … Carry on luggage is all that’s required. I’m a verrrry light traveller, but she clearly isn’t! I’ll check the other links to rainy day songs soon … Have a lovely week!

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    1. Hi, Susan – I don’t remember hearing that Kristopherson/Coolidge song before. It is very moving. Thank you for sharing it.
      Speaking of songs, a friend of mine just posted a Cat Stevens parody — and I recognized your son, David, immediately! I absolutely LOVED the father & son combo. Please pass on my appreciation of their music video. 😀
      Enjoy your visit with your friend. Overpacked or not, you’re bound to have tons of fun!

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  16. What a cutie! Too bad there is no video/film of that historic performance. And sadly, you gave me a big knot in my throat with the Dan Folgelberg version and reference because he died way too young; he was such a talented musician. Because of this post, I’ve just requested the version from the Cascades from our public library so I can add it to my phone later this week. Definitely one of those songs that make you feel good.

    Love the ferry ride pic — sometimes the drops on a camera lens add something special and dramatic.

    My rain song suggestion is Gordon Lightfoot’s “Early Morning Rain” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B34qwRrkSvQ – Marty

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    1. Hi, Marty – That Gordon Lightfoot song is a classic! (I also love that you selected a Canadian singer/songwriter). 😀
      I am so glad that you liked the Dan Folgerberg song. It’s one of my favourites. Once again, the world lost an incredible talent way too young.
      Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words!

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  17. Hi Donna – that’s a great story. I especially like your comment about a sense of belonging. That’s what it’s about isn’t it? I also r.eally like the photo of the beach promenade with the rain on the lens. Makes me think I’m looking out the window on a rainy day!

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    1. Hi, Barbara – I had to think which photo was of a beach promenade. That shot was actually taken through a ferry window on a very rainy and misty day. So your guess about rain on a window was correct!
      I agree that a sense of belonging really is what it’s about for both ourselves and for others. As soon as we get this, everything else makes so much more sense!
      Thank you so much for stopping by. I greatly appreciate it.

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  18. I always enjoy learning new things about you Donna and that concert in grade 6 sounds like a blast! What a shame there aren’t any photos around :). I did appreciate the early photo of you though and what a stunner you still are! All your rainy day shots are great and I love the addition of music into the #sundaystills mix, how clever you are 🙂

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    1. HI, Debbie – I’m completely with you on learning new things about each other. Even though I’ve followed your blog for a couple of years now, and I have the privilege of connecting with you weekly, I still continually learn new things about you in our chats and in your posts. May we never stop learning and discovering cool things about friends and family! And may we never, ever take this for granted! 😀

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  19. That story made me laugh. And the green hands lol. There’s something so, well, elemental about walking in the rain and only other people who walk in the rain truly get it.

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  20. I love how you’ve added other dimensions to the photo challenge! Here is The Rain Song by Led Zeppelin. I moved to Japan in the summer of 1972. I was almost 13. I rode the bus with high schoolers because my middle school was on the same military base. I remember some of them talking about going to see Led Zeppelin live at the Budokan later in the fall. One boy was playing the Houses of the Holy on their portable tape player. That’s when I first heard this song, as well as Stairway to Heaven and others. Tracey

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    1. Hi, Tracey – Thank you so much for sharing this. I greatly enjoyed listening to the Robert Plant and Jimmy Page clip. And even more, I loved learning about your story behind this. That’s the amazing thing about music. It not only stirs deep memories, but it also helps to connect us.
      BTW – It’s also cool that you lived in Japan. I lived in Beijing for 14 years.

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  22. What a lovely story Donna and I was there with you and your friends singing and dancing. Love how you incorporated your experience, the song and of course you rainy day photos. I am always impressed that you still go walking in the rain when many would not bother. #commitment x

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    1. Hi, Sue – Thank you for joining my friends and me in the singing and dancing. I hope that you died your hands green for the occasion as well! 😀
      As I mentioned to Jo, I usually enjoy walking in the rain (emphasis on the ‘usually’). If I refused to walk in the rain where we live, my winter hikes would be cut in half.
      See you tomorrow – twice! 😀

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  23. Donna,
    I love how your mind works! This is an excellent treatment of Terri’s rain theme for Sunday Stills. I’m certain you won the talent show–green hands and all. My favorite rain song is “Wish It Would Rain” by the Temptations. When I was on a Spring Break trip in college, I went to a Temptations concert at the old Deauville Hotel in Miami and they introduced this song (link below). Joe Namath (football star) sat at the table next to my group. Thanks for bringing back the memories. Have a great week! Joe

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    1. Hi, Joe – It looks like we have similar taste in music. I absolutely love this video. The sound – the choreography – the style – everything! It’s awesome that you were able to go to a Temptations Concert and see Joe Namath in person. Win-win!
      Oh and thank you again for your kind words. We definitely didn’t win the Talent Show (I would have remembered that). But I don’t think that we embarrassed ourselves either…other than the green hands! 😀

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  24. The key part of your post is the idea of acceptance. It is what we all want—to be accepted for who we are. Your memory of your sixth-grade performance brought back some flashbacks of talent shows that we had at our school. It was so important to the kids—even to some of the parents. A school talent show should be an opportunity for anyone who wants the chance. We never voted for winners at those talent shows because that was not the purpose. I do think things like that are crucial for children. I saw kid’s self-confidence grow anytime they were in public speaking situations.

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    1. Hi, Peter – You picked up on the key idea of my anecdote right away.
      Educators have so much power to help shape or break children’s talents, creativity and sense of belonging. I’m glad to hear that your school offered no-contest Talent Shows. That is an awesome way to help students take risks, and for everyone to walk away a winner! 😀

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    1. Hi, Frank – Thank you for including this James Taylor classic. My hearing is either off tonight (quite possible) or James was simply messing with our minds in this version. I kept hearing “the plans WE made” and “who to send ME to”. I kept backtracking and replaying, but that just confused me further. Either way, awesome song!
      BTW – I am still trying to subscribe to your blog. I managed to subscribe but reader but am still trying to subscribe by email. If there is a way to do that, please let me know.

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  26. Hi Donna, You’re so creative with how you weave your stories, photos and songs together. I really like the photo of the rainy ferry ride and you in grade 6. The rain-themed songs that I think of have been mentioned by previous commenters. Another one that I like is Purple Rain by Prince.

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    1. Hi, Natalie – Purple Rain is a great song choice. Thank you for including it.
      And thank you for your very kind words. I felt that I have been following the same format for my #SundayStills posts for the past few weeks, and I tried to shake that up a bit. 😀

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  29. As so many have said – I love your photos and how you weave your stories into the theme! The first rain song that popped into my mind was “I Love a Rainy Night” by Eddie Rabbitt and the other great one is “Fire and Rain” by James Taylor.

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  30. Your title immediately made me smile, Donna. I love your four points, especially the sense of belonging. You and Richard look cozy and cute.🙂 I recall following closely the 2017 Marathon. Good for Creighton….all of his training and perseverance. Ahhh, Deb and Joanne, fond memories of “the trip.” Re: 11 years old – I have a yellow duo tang filled with my writing/thoughts/pictures when I was eleven. This is one of the only few physical memorabilia I have. Fun to go back and realize we are not that different 50 years later. Thank you for sharing a great post!

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    1. Hi, Erica – I love the idea of your yellow duo-tang. In our crawlspace, I have a box of my old writing and journals from that age. I really should rescue it and dust it off. 😀 I like your point of us realizing that we are not that different 50 years later. It is incredible how true that statement is. I look forward to catching up (very) soon.

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  31. What fun that so many shared a favorite rainy day song. We so seldom have rain that it is truly a photographic moment when we do. I am doing the Sunday Stills challenge, but I share my photos once a month. Hoping we have rain soon!!

    Ahhhh, Dan Fogelberg. How I loved you. Dancing Shoes.

    Also love that you always have a radiant smile, even on soggy days.

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    1. Hi, Leslie – I love Dan Fogelberg too. How could one not?
      I greatly enjoy your #SundayStills posts. Posting there once a month only makes the heart grow fonder — your beautiful photos are worth the wait!

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  34. I love a rainy day and a rainy night too, Donna. Nothing quite like being snuggled up in bed and hearing the rain lashing against the window.
    Your rainy day photos are great, but I epically like the ones taken through a rainy windowpane.
    My rainy day tune is rather upbeat, but I love dancing in the rain too.

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    1. Hi, Hugh – I had forgotten about this song and video — I absolutely LOVE it! Thank you so much for sharing it. I wholeheartedly agree — being snuggle up inside and hearing the rain lash against our rooftops and windowpanes….there’s nothing quite like it! 😀

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  35. Pingback: My Rain Story | The Day After

  36. Donna, a few of your photos prompted “Don’t Sleep in the Subay’ by Petula Clark to the front of my mind. The title, followed by ‘don’t stand in the pouring rain’ sums up the stubborn behavior of an immature lover who hasn’t learned the value of compromise. Great story BTW. I have one very similar, also with fuzzy details, but still a good memory overall.

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    1. Hi, Suzanne – I haven’t heard “Don’t Sleep in the Subway” for years. I had forgotten about the “Don’t Stand in the Pouring Rain” part. Such a great song — and great moral of the story! Thank you for the reminder.
      I’m also glad that this post helped prompt some similar memories for you. Songs and photographs do this so well!

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  37. Hi Donna – delightful memories … loved reading them … and then imagining the girls coming out with green fingers and hands to match their t-shirts … and seeing the photos of other times – bucketing rain is not fun – but you were parental winners waiting on Creighton at the Boston Marathon. The Cascades’ version is one I just love … but I love the Katharine Ross and Paul Newman bicycle ride … singing ‘raindrops keep falling on my head’ – evocative … wonderful memories for one and all – cheers Hilary

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    1. Hi, Hilary – Thanks for the Katharine Ross/Paul Newman recommendation. I’m assuming that clip is from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I have never seen that movie. I will now check Youtube to see if I can find the bicycle ride section there! 😀

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  38. No shortage of rainy photos when you live on Vancouver Island, eh? 🙂 I love how you and your friends don’t let a bit of rain stand in your way to go for a walk or a hike.

    It can’t have been four years already since that super cold and rainy Boston marathon!? Maybe there was another one Creighton joined the following year(s)?

    I can recognize you on that six-grade photo. Forever young!

    I’m considering getting rid of my raincoat as I haven’t worn it in a year… I won’t take it to Italy whenever that happens. 🙂

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    1. Hi, Liesbet – Yup, it’s coming up to four years since that VERY wet and cold Boston Marathon. It’s amazing how time flies.
      True – we have no shortage of winter rain on Vancouver Island….but then we still have massive water restrictions in the summer. Go figure!
      Good idea about leaving your raingear behind.
      When are you going to Italy?

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  39. Donna, what a wonderful memory of your early dance routine! I bet it went brilliantly. I love all the rain photos and you make it look fun. Haha! A very well travelled and almost unused cagoule! My rainest moment was a ferry ride from Scotland to the Isle of Skye – I was so excited I refused to seek shelter inside and stood out in the horizontal bitter cold downpour enjoying the view into the harbour. Well, I did get very ill with pneumonia afterwards and in bed for two months – it was almost worth it!😀 My favourite song with rain is “Here Comes the Rain again’ by Eurythmics! Hope the link works!

    Here’s to happy dances in the rain! 😀 ☔️⛈

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    1. HI, Annika – I greatly admire your ‘no regrets’ attitude. I try to be this way as well. But after two long months in bed due to standing on a rainy ferry deck — I am sure that I would be whining to whoever would listen! 😀 I also love that Eurythmics song!

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  40. I have to say you look extraordinarily beautiful in Grade 6. I was all arms and legs at that phase. how wonderful that you have such good memories and that sense of belonging.

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  41. What a fun post to read about rain as I’m sitting in the SUNSHINE this beautiful Saturday morning.
    I remember grade school talent shows too; I always wanted to have a ‘talent’ to share but never had the guts to do it. Only the ‘cool’ kids did that and I didn’t feel cool until I turned 50.
    The song that popped in my brain is Eddie Rabbit’s I Love a Rainy Night.

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  42. Pingback: Sunday Stills: Your Best #Black-and-White Photos – Second Wind Leisure Perspectives

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