I’ve always loved looking at clouds, even as a child. When we moved to New England I appreciated clouds even more. Were they different or more beautiful? No, I think it was me, especially the preschool teacher in me. I paid attention to what was ‘there’ outside, and I always marveled with children at the discoveries we made, together. We found bugs in tree bark. We opened dead marigolds to uncover their seeds.
We looked at clouds, watching as they grew into thunderstorms, and delighting in finding animal shapes.
Fast forward twenty years. Hubby and I moved into a smaller home, same town. Suddenly we had a big, open sky in our backyard. We spent evening after evening with our heads up, marveling like we were children. Hubby was a fighter jet guy in the Navy, so he knew far more about clouds and weather than the guys on TV. He would tell me about the clouds and what was happening during our evenings.
This week we looked up, and there was something that brought us back to our first cloud watchings twenty years ago. I can’t put a finger on it, but we both ‘saw it’ at the same time. What a great flashback!
The sky was never-ending in the bluest of blues. Clouds had a backdrop to ‘show off’. A full circumference intensified the marvel.
Children are like clouds; a bright spot with imagination, and ever-changing.
I think about the Renaissance artists who painted the sky and clouds. I think about the musicians who wrote songs and sang about clouds. I have a soft spot and a passion for The Temptations.
Look up, ’cause you never know what wonder may appear.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
I love clouds, Jennie. The patterns they make. The stories their shapes can inspire!
Yes, they do!
I’m a huge fan of clouds as well, looks like you have a great front seat view!
Definitely a birds eye view! Glad you enjoy clouds as much as I do.
Nothing beats the wild wonder of nature 🙂
Yes!!
I love clouds Jennie and I spend a lot of time looking up and seeing so many wonders up there, feathers, angels, monsters, animals and faces!
Today we have a beautiful blue sky dotted with feathery clouds here’s my favourite cloud song 💜
I feel the same way! There is so much to see. I love and remember the song. Thanks, Willow!
☁️🩵
I love watching clouds, Jennie. I’m with Willow on favorite cloud songs – gotta go with Joni.
It’s a great song!
Thank you for bringing my attention back round to clouds. I love then, but yes, sometimes I forget to look up!
You are welcome! 🙂
Jennie, this is so beautiful! First, will you please tell your hubby THANK YOU for his service? Oh, how I love clouds. The video, your words, thoughts about children…they all touch my heart! I have a folder in my pics labeled, “Clouds”. Like you, I look up and marvel (just as when I was a little girl). You always inspire us, Jennie! Many hugs, RF
That’s so nice! 🥰 Thank you so much, Karla. I’m glad you liked my words and understand how special clouds are. Hugs! 💕
It’s my pleasure, Jennie! I always love your words! Yesterday afternoon, after a miracle (I MAY be sharing the most exciting news next week—I’m bubbling over because my “case” has been taken to the TOP of the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, MD—I feel like I’m dreaming, but I’m not) I looked at the clouds. I was thanking God and the spirit for all the beauty and miracles! And Jennie, I can’t help now but think of you when I see clouds! It’s beautiful! Many hugs! 💕 ☁️
YES!!! Exciting news, for sure. Keep watching those clouds. I will, too. 😍
💕💕🥰🤗🤗🤗🤗 yay!!
We are lucky to also live in ‘big sky’ country, in this part of England. My wife is obsessed with clouds, and she ‘sees’ faces and objects in them all the time. She tells me what to look for, but I don’t see those same faces or objects. I just see clouds. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
Well, even if you don’t see what Julie and I see, seeing the beautiful sky and clouds is a good thing! Best to you, Pete.
We had wide open skies on the prairies and I loved to look at the clouds. I would make up stories about what I saw in the clouds as a little girl. Great song choice.
That must have been wonderful out on the prairie! I’m glad this gave you a memory, and glad you liked the song. 😀
Yes clouds are magical – and so are The Temptations!
Yes, and yes! Thank you, John.
It’s been a long time since I lay (laid?) on my back and watched clouds. Too long.
The preschoolers keep me looking up, and so does our yard/pool. I hope you see some clouds, soon. Thanks, Jacqui!
Occasionally, I jumped through clouds, Jennie. I always find myself smiling when I hear the lyrics, ‘I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now’.
I love looking at the clouds as well. One day this past spring morning #1 Grandson was here and we headed out to run errands but, I spied a really cool but, eerie cloud just behind a neighbors house. It looked like a giant spider! I’d never seen a cloud like it before. You know I took a quick pic with my phone camera of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbn6a0AFfnM They’re magical. A gift to the imagination.
One of my favorite songs! Yes, you are spot on about clouds, Opher.
Except when they rain!
True!
I love the clouds too, Jennie. They always teach something new.
They really do, John. I’m glad you love clouds, too.
I love clouds too. I had written a post about them. May I mention my post here please?
Of course!
Thank you, Jennie.
Here it is : https://chayasheela.wordpress.com/2021/12/07/cloudy-with-an-abundance-of-imagination/
Wonderful!
Thank you.
You’re welcome.
Curiosity triggers our imagination and there is no better place to do that than watching clouds…
Yes, indeed! Thank you for your perfect words, as always.
I LOVE clouds, Jennie. I’m always looking up at the sky and the trees. I’m also learning how to paint clouds, a lot trickier than you would think. Returning to childhood is indeed gratifying and soul satisfying, isn’t it? xo
Lucky me, I get to experience childhood every day at school. Yes, painting clouds is incredibly difficult. I think it was ‘mastered’ in high renaissance art, when they perfected light.
I’ve never heard the analogy of comparing clouds to children, Jennie, but it’s very appropriate—always changing with moments of darkness that occasionally interfere with the usual clear skies.
Thank you, Pete. When I wrote this cloud post, I felt something was missing- it was children, as the two are much the same. I’m glad you liked the analogy.
Hi Jennie, I also like to watch the clouds when I get the chance.
Hi Robbie, I’m so glad!
Beautiful pictures of the clouds and they sure have great stories to tell. Lovely post Jennie 😊
Thank you, Kamal!
Welcome Jennie.
Thank you for this wonderful post, Jennie!
You are welcome, Charles!
When storm clouds rush in Charlie will still sometimes lie on his back and watch them. As soon as lightning begins, though, he does come in the house! The clouds in New England are different than those in Oregon. Maybe they are different than those in West Virginia too.
Good for you, Charlie! How are the clouds different in Oregon? From our visits to Bend to see our daughter, I don’t recall watching the clouds. I feel like the clouds here in New England are more dramatic, but maybe that’s just me paying more attention.
Pingback: Clouds – Meta.Ordinals
Thank you.
Lovely post, Jennie! I could watch your cloud video all day, so relaxing. And of course, The Temptations are always fun, too.
Thanks, Marcia! I’m glad you enjoy clouds, too.
Beautiful post. Here in Japan we live near the mountains and I love driving thru the clouds on grey days. On those days clouds hang low and create an ethereal landscape.
That sounds like a wonderful experience.
Up, down and around, we’re surrounded by the marvels of nature. Just look! You’re perfectly on point, Jennie.
Yes, we are!! Thank goodness, and we just need to stop and look. Best to you, Steve.
Loved this and I too love clouds. I’m always looking for a story they’re painting. 🙂 xx
I’m so glad! They’re a never-ending story and a work of art.
❤