Who would have thought?
What a delightful interview! I usually have the radio turned on at low volume while working at the computer — tuned to the classical music station, of course. Even if the chances of being mentally stimulated by good classical music are only one in a hundred, it's odds worth betting on. I need all the help I can get. Well, the other day a music-lover by the name of Gavin Pretor-Pinney was being interviewed. Guess what Mr. Pretor-Pinney is a fan of? Clouds! Yes, clouds. He has authored a book entitled “The Cloud-spotter's Guide” and is the founder of the “Cloud Appreciation Society”, an organization I had never heard of before — and I suspect you hadn't, either. Now I'm a fan of both the society and of clouds; fascinating creatures. (The web site even has a page of poems composed by its members dedicated to… clouds, of course.) Of course, one should not be surprised to discover delights in any aspect of creation. After all, every natural phenomenon comes from the mind of God, and that includes the “waters above the firmament” (Gen. 1:7).
Calling clouds “one of the most refreshing of nature's displays” and “nature's poetry available to everybody”, Gavin waxed eloquent about the beauty and value of clouds (I hope he doesn't mind the familiarity — it's just too difficult to type… well). One of his goals is to change the thinking of those who pray for a blue sky every morning. (Of course, blue skies are beautiful, too, and a creation of God) The variety of clouds far |
exceeds the monotony of blue skies for inspirational value. He spoke of the Arab blessing which says, “May your sky be filled with clouds”. He wants to inspire people to look up and enjoy the sheer artistry of these unique forms. And I would add that clouds are just as gorgeous from above; a plane's eye view gives you a perspective you don't see very well from below — you see them in their brilliant sunlit glory, fluffed up like an eiderdown, and dazzling.
Like all of God's works, clouds can be viewed from a number of different perspectives. Gavin also encourages people to learn something about the science of clouds in their various forms, convinced that such understanding will enhance appreciation. I must admit that I have often wondered how clouds “work”. From an aeroplane window I have seen vast formations which are perfectly flat at the bottom. How does that happen, I wonder? What forces make clouds form just where they do; “who” sculpts the myriad shapes they come in?
Gavin also spoke at length about a unique cloud that forms in Australia once a year, making the small Queensland town of Burketown a mecca for cloud lovers and glider pilots every September and October when it rolls in from the sea. Glider pilots? Yes, indeed. You see, this unique cloud, “Looking like a huge white roll of meringue… stretches up to 600 miles (about the length of Britain) and sweeps over Burketown at speeds of up to 35mph” (Cloud Appreciation Society website). Glider pilots surf on its rolling front! Is there any end to the genius of God? |
