Raindrop Champions
written by: Brian Thurston
Clouds have formed, and I quickly open the garage to set up my gravity chair in preparation for some soothing weather.
My dog, Oliver, joins me and settles into a semi-laying position — unsure what the sky may bring.
Sure enough, lightning strikes, and true to form, thunder follows seven seconds later.
No worry of rain hitting us — the chair is perfectly placed, just shy of the rain line.
At first, only a speckled shower.
Then another crooked bolt cracks the sky, and the rain grows more voluminous.
From my spot, I can see my car — parked slightly off to the side — allowing a long view of the street and all the movements that accompany a storm.
I can’t help but notice the raindrops collecting on the windshield.
At first, they blanket the glass evenly, thanks to the anti-fog effect from yesterday’s futile car wash.
But as the droplets accumulate, they begin to skid downward — carving pathways reminiscent of ski slopes on a glass mountain.
Gorgeous. Beautiful.
No windy slopes, just smooth downhill runs — little droplets tumbling like skiers, some crashing joyfully into the wipers.
The brave ones veer off course only to meet the barrier of the corner panel, safe from the edge.
The car, side mirrors folded in, waits patiently, allowing this wonderful wintertime creation to play out as long as it needs.
When the storm subsides and the rain ceases, the windshield slowly dries — sadly.
Like Frosty the Snowman melting under the sun, the slopes widen and the droplets fade.
But the joy remains. The hope remains.
Knowing the rain will come again — and Oliver and I will pull up a chair to watch the marvelous spectacle return.
Or will it ever return the same way?
We’ll wait, and see — and surely participate again.
- Raindrop Champions - March 18, 2026
- Until The End - November 18, 2025
