Reflections on changed plans

The Important Book, by Margaret Wise Brown.

The important thing about rain is
that it is wet.
It falls out of the sky,
and it sounds like rain,
and makes things shiny,
and it does not taste like anything,
and is the color of air.

But the important thing about rain
is that it is wet.

Well, the other important thing about rain is that it can cancel Boy Scout campouts. The four of us that are non-Boy Scouts had BIG plans. Vegetating plans, to be honest. We hit the library video shelves, we checked out piles of books, and we made sure that the popcorn, coffee, cocoa, wine and other snack options were in good supply. Then, the rain poured. And, it poured. Then, it poured some more. It stopped long enough to allow for a ten-mile hike, and then it poured again. So, the scouts decided to grab the gear and head home. Now, we love our scouts, but spending time in smaller sub-sets of the family is a special treat. So, when the phone call came I hesitated in my enthusiasm. It went like this (think cellular technology with weather):

"Di? We're co....home!"
"Excuse me?"
"We'....com....ho..."
(Did he say they were coming home?) "Sorry, can't hear you."
Loud, blaring voice that can be heard with ease: "WE'RE COMING HOME."
Silence.

A suggestion for the listening audience. If your dear family has been camping in the pouring rain, give at least a warm, if not enthusiastic, response when they announce that they have to come home. They are disappointed not to camp. They are wet, dirty and cold. They would love to know that the tea kettle will be warm when they pull in. Silence speaks volumes, and it doesn't always say, "We can't wait to see you."

Have no fear. We got our act together by the time they arrived. We helped with the unloading, we listened to the camping lore, and I had Groundhog Day, and a Newcastle Brown Ale ready for my Favorite Camper. This movie has come recommended by many, and it was the perfect choice. We laughed until we cried, and then we laughed again. The quotes from this movie will find their way into the dark corners of tedious days, bringing light and laughter to both of us.