November is Rain

"I think rain is as necessary to the mind as to vegetation.  My very thoughts become thirsty, and crave the moisture.  ~ John burrows

It is November.  Rain in November in Western Washington is ubiquitous.  This area averages 38 inches of rain a year.  The summer months are dry.  November is the VERY wet month.  The coast of western Washington is home to a rain forest.  The Cascade Mountain range forms a kind of barrier, those tall peaks create a rain shadow and keep  Eastern Washington arid.  The forest that surround us are lush and dense.  Trees seem to have shallow roots as many are ripped out of the ground in a strong wind.  The roots don't have to work very hard to bring nourishment to the rest of the tree.  Grass in western Washington is not drought  hardy in the summer.  Lawns turn yellow in summer but bounce back in the fall.  It is November and the gardener is still coming here every two weeks to trim. the lawn (bless him!).  That will cease in about another two weeks but resume in February.  When I lived in New Hampshire, my yard would be still be buried under feet of snow in February.

So what does all this rain do to a people?  I know many women are vitamin D deficient.  Is the rate of breast cancer higher in Washington because of that?  I also wonder if Seasonal Affective Disorder is high in this part of the country.  Seattle is home to famous coffee makers of the world ~ strong drink to ward off dampness.  What else?   Almost 7 million people live in Washington state.  60% of these folks live in the Seattle metropolitan area...60% of us are being rained on day and night in November. The mission is:  what does rain mean to so many rained on folks; how has it altered their lives or has it altered their lives?  What does rain do to the arts?  Does it change reading habits?  Recreational habits?  Work habits?

I  want to photograph rain as well as write about it. Explore rain so to speak...let the investigation begin.....