Image Credit: Daniela Ginta

By Daniela Ginta

The Way I See It

GINTA: Rain or not, make the best of it

Jul 13, 2020 | 12:08 PM

IT’S RAINING CATS AND DOGS as I write this. The drizzle that started during our morning walk turned into heavy rain which made us take cover under some trees. There were at least three separate parties under three separate canopies. We waved at each other and shrugged, all in agreement that this year’s Kamloops summer requires a new script.

On the plus side, there is no problem if you about forget to water the garden but watch for more snails and slugs. They love dampness and, well, it’s been damp all right. Our peas are over two metres high and growing, but tomatoes score less on the happiness scale.

To call it a different summer would be an understatement. So it is, but what choice do we have, since as they say, you can’t argue with weather, right? ‘If you can’t beat them, join them’ applies here, too.

Rainy as it is, our summer is now putting on a colourful show in and around Kamloops.

Our green spaces display the most amazing variety and density of wildflowers and super tall grasses. I don’t think I have ever seen so much alfalfa and so many shades of purple. Or mariposa lilies – they are everywhere and so are the ever-charming brown-eyed Susan flowers. Saskatoon branches are drooping with berries.

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Rainy day or not, just go for a hike to see what nature’s wonderworld looks like when things go haywire precipitation-wise. Plus, you might see the clouds drop their rainy load on the mountains around Kamloops. It’s a sight like no other.

Also on the plus side, the air is clean which is something you get to appreciate in a place that has seen its fair share of smoky summers. The incessant rain keeps the risk of fires low, provided that the presently super tall grasses don’t get dried up by some sudden intense summer heat.

On the other hand, it’d be good to not hear about more flooding in or near Kamloops. Too many residents have been on edge for a long time now and there are still evacuation orders in place. Yes, rain means different things for different people.

It has also contributed to increased erosion on the East Shuswap Road which has residents worried. Avoid driving through the area if you can and let’s hope that a solution will be found soon enough since rain might keep on coming for a while yet.

People I talk to are wondering whether our summers will look different from now on. Some are sure they will. We might just have to mind things we never thought twice about: having umbrellas and raincoats handy, turning sprinklers off more often and getting the laundry off the line before the rain starts; remembering not to leave the car windows open overnight; slowing down when driving to avoid hydroplaning and checking the state of dirt roads that might have been affected by the rain.

It’s different and it’s what we’ve been told might happen, climate-wise. Not that the rain we’ve seen this summer is the definition of climate change, but it’s a reminder, nonetheless. And there are more powerful reminders unfolding as we speak, such as the wildfires burning out of control right now in northern Siberia where temperatures have reached up to 38 degrees Celsius.

There’s enough news to worry about but, when possible, don’t let rain become one. Go out and enjoy the beauty that our city and its surroundings have to offer, soaked as you may end up at the end. Grab some extra anti-mosquito spray on your way out and if you have canine companions, expect more muck to wash off after each adventure. But get out in nature anyway; it’s good for body and mind.

Make the best of every day, because rain or not, each day only comes once.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.