A - Z Challenge: U

U is for Umbrella.

We use umbrellas here on the Wet West Coast - a lot.  I remember that I received my first umbrella - a beautiful rainbow-striped child's size - from Santa Claus.  I remember it so vividly because it was the first time I wasn't surprised by my gift on Christmas morning.  And you know why that is, don't you?  Of course!  I'd found the stash in my mother's closet.  You can be sure it was an accidental find.  And you can also understand why I never went looking again.   I have always enjoyed having, and looking at, umbrellas. 

This painting is in our living room.  I can see it from the couch when I'm reading or knitting or just chatting with someone.  I don't think I would ever want to part with it.  First, there's the umbrella.  That's what drew me to it in the first place.  But then, there's the intimacy that sharing an umbrella gives to a walk in the rain.  I'm at home in the multi-toned grays and the reflection on the pavement.  I just never tire of it.

I love the shape of umbrellas.  I love that they twirl and you can dance with them.  They add exuberance to a rainy day.  This is a cartoon for a hooked rug that I will make someday.  I drew this at least 7 years ago and it still is something I want to do.  You can see how much the young person is enjoying that umbrella. You never know... the rain might have stopped and we're all so hunkered under our umbrellas we'd never notice.  Umbrellas lend them selves to flinging off and quickly covering up again if you must.

I like exploring how an umbrella is made.  I'm not a particularly mechanical sort of person so I'm impressed with even the simple mechanics of an umbrella.  I like pop-up umbrellas as well as the old-fashioned push-up variety.  I have small fold-up umbrellas to carry in a bag, just in case.  And it shouldn't surprise you that I want my umbrellas to be bright against the gray of the sky.  I got these as a birthday gift a couple of years ago.  They are still making me happy on rainy days.