03/11/2023

The Science of Cloud Gazing

In the hazy morning light, I can see a woman walking her dog up ahead. 

When I approach, Otie, the doodle mix, solemnly walks towards me. He keeps his head down, almost as if he’s sulking, as I bend down to give him a pat.

“Since when are you shy?” His owner quips with a chuckle. She mentions to me that she saw a bobcat on her Ring doorbell an hour ago and that I should be cautious when walking past the woods. Our interactions have become something of a routine, I give Otie a head scratch and the owner and I chat for a couple of minutes before the sun comes up. This is the first conversation that tells me she is also not from Florida.

I’m familiar with the bobcats in our neighbourhood and, truthfully, they don’t bother me. As with most dangerous creatures, they’re more afraid of us than we are of them. I thank her for the warning and press on with my walk. I have somewhere I need to be. 

For the last couple of months, my morning walks have become a grounding way to start my day. I wander the neighbouring streets, admiring autumnal decorations, waving at garbage men, and exchanging pleasantries with dog walkers. Then, best of all, I catch the sky lighting up and illuminating the clouds to the perfect shade of pink. In fact, I’ve gotten my cloud gazing down to a science on these walks. 

It starts with eating the frog. That is, to say, knocking a couple of things off my list as part of my morning routine. I journal, water the plants, then kiss Justice goodbye. By 7 a.m. I am out the door, treating each morning as a walking meditation. 

The streetlights are still on as I walk our street. Depending on the weather, the clouds may already be stunning. Venus peeks through any cloud formations and winks at me as the moon begins to disappear. By the time I’ve reached the end of my street, the sky is beginning to illuminate with a soft yellow light. 

When I make it to the next street, the sky begins to fade to purple. A dense yellow is brimming on the horizon as I walk towards Otie’s house. I follow the bend of the circle and begin to notice hints of dusty pink catching the clouds. By the time I’m back on the main road, the first twinges of pink clouds are beginning to form while the sun is still working its way upon the horizon.

On the final stretch of my street, the day comes into focus. A bush of blooming confederate roses in a neighbour’s yard is striking in the early morning glow. The sun begins to rise behind me and the sky ahead is fading into a soft pink. When I reach my front door, the clouds above are pastel and pearl brushstrokes sweeping across the sky. Like I said, I’ve gotten it down to a science. To put it into a simple equation; get up half an hour before sunrise and watch what happens above you.

At a time when the world feels turbulent and volatile, it is more critical than ever to find moments of peace and simplicity.

My love for cloud spotting has enriched my days and helped me connect with people. From my Dad sending me snaps of clouds from his hikes in The You Yangs to creating an Instagram account dedicated to cloud watching, the magic of a morning walk is proving to be the most effective way for me to start my day.

This month, I dare you to figure out the science of something wonderful. Find a moment of reprieve that enriches you.

Updates: 

🍑 Peachtober: For the last month, I've been sharing flash fiction pieces for Peachtober. It's been a delight to receive comments and messages from my readers! Thank you sincerely for your kind words to those who have enjoyed the short stories I shared.

☁️ The Cloud Watchers Club: For the last few weeks I've been snapping the clouds from my morning walks and sharing them over on The Cloud Watcher's Club. Follow along if you enjoy the odd snap of a bloody nice cloudscape!

Food For Thought

“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.”
―Rabindranath Tagore