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It rained all day today – it was miserable and grey and cold when I left home just after 6.30 this morning.
The train driver said: "Please take your umbrellas with you. Every time it rains people leave umbrellas on the train – for unknown reasons" .
The announcement made me smile and I thought of the lovely photo Homebody had posted the other day of her 13 year old umbrella.
About 8 years ago I spent what I thought was a ridiculous amount of money on a folding umbrella from Windbrella – it was advertised as never turning inside out no matter how strong the winds and rain. I was used to spending $4 or $5 on umbrellas which inevitably ripped apart, turned inside out or came undone from the metal spokes – or just stopped working.
I still have this navy blue umbrella with its funny little double canopy. I used it when Hurricane Isabel came this way in 2003. It did not turn inside out – though it did have some difficulty keeping me dry that day.
I am not the sort to leave my umbrella on the train because I don't want to spend another $30 on an umbrella! It just doesn't seem right when so many people think of them as disposable!
Aussie Emjay's Blog 
I was forever gathering up umbrellas in libraries too. People appear to forget them like small children at the shopping mall. It had an upside. If we were ever caught without a brolly we would just go into the lost property cupboard and use one. If I left my umrella behind, I would go back for it – it is like a member of my family, not to be cast aside once the sun appears.
I have 2 umbrellas that I never use (it's SoCal after all – and, not being the Wicked Witch, I don't melt in water). One was a freebie with purchase. The other was probably $25 or so but looks like a bouquet of flowers when closed. I bought it as consolation for not inheriting my mother's GORGEOUS sharksin (blue/purple) umbrella that I wanted for years & years & years. For some reason, when I was a teen, she gave it to my sister as a play toy. 30+ years later, I still haven't gotten over that! lol.
Thanks for reminding me that all of my umbrellas are broken! I need a sturdy one… I live in Seattle.
LOL – I never left a child at the mall either. In Rome we bought really cheap umbrellas from men on the street every couple of days – there was a large basket of "leftovers" in the hotel lobby when we left.
LOL – I'm pretty sure Cat has some things that I think should be mine! 🙂 Your bouquet of flowers umbrella sounds nice as a consolation.
I went to Seattle for 5 days a few years ago and it did not rain once! (but then I got sunburnt in San Francisco too!). 🙂 I would certainly recommend the windbrella as sturdy – I bought the Georgetowner model – even the velcro fastenings are still totally intact.
I always forget my umbrella but I know what you mean about people thinking of them like a cheap rain protection that once you use it that is good enough throw it away! Unlike out grandparents and there mothers and fathers who may have had an umbrella for several generations to use, and you fixed things not throw them out! must have been the rain that was hanging around here that came your way! glad it is gone from hear!
Yeah, it's a myth about it "always" raining in Seattle. It rains half the year and doesn't rain much the other half.
Such a sturdy brellie should be protected with one's life.
A 'brella that can more or less withstand a wet windstorm, that's impressive. Your story reminds me of the lost and found facility loaded with tons of umbrellas left behind on the Tokyo trains. (Station personnel turn them for holding should the owner wish to claim it.) With a city population of 12 million, you can maybe imagine how many 'brellas that is if only 10% are leaving them behind, and how much fun it *wouldn't* be sifting through those if you're trying to recover one!
I never pay a lot for umbrellas. I inevitably leave them somewhere, if the weather doesn't get to them first.
Living in a 150 inch a year rainfall zone, umbrellas are an important part of life.I never cease to be amazed at the design and mechanics involved in the way an umbrella opens and closes. It is worth taking a close look at the number of moving parts. It is amazing that I can buy one made in China for $3, but we have found through experience that it is well worth spending more money on a good quality one. Maybe they should come equipped with neck chains (like glasses) so people won't leave them behind.
I didn't know people did that! Wow…you have such interesting experiences!!!Tried o click on the link for Windbrella but it says there's a database error…I still use the Totes umbrella my parents gave me when I was going to college…1969 or so…it's one of the early foldup ones.Last year a friend gave me one that explodes when you push the button. Makes me laugh but whenever I open it after using it, waterdroplets fly everywhere as it enxplodes.
They were probably better made in our grandparent's time – I have seen advertisements for beautifully handmade ones – they are costly though! I will be glad when the rain is gone – hopefully by the time I wake up!
LOL! Yes – someone at work asked me if they could borrow my umbrella today and I seriously thought about lying and saying I didn't have one! I am much more careful with my things than other people are with them.
LOL – I imagine some people just take the first nice one they see instead of looking for their own – unless their own has sentimental value or is especially beautiful. I have been really impressed with this umbrella – I just wish it was prettier. I certainly couldn't justify buying a new one for that reason though. 🙂
I think I have had more break than I have left behind in my lifetime. I'm certainly getting sick of the rain though – I want spring!!
Wow! 150 inches!!????!!! A dry day must be a day of celebration! I suppose it is too hot to just wear a raincoat. I have seen handmade ones which sell in the $100+ range (nice timber) but I know that if I spent that much on an umbrella I would be scared to open it on a windy day.
Wow! Your Totes umbrella must be really well made. LOL your exploding one. Someone gave me one with a gel handle. It was nice at first but when the handle got wet (which they seem to do on wet days) it would get slippery and be hard to hold up.
I totally understand that…I'm much more careful with mine too.
I think, on balance that I'm 'in profit' from umbrellas I've found abandoned on the London underground. LOL
slippery and be hard to hold up. Yikes!! really bad for windy rains!
I am one of the guilty ones who would leave my umbrella. In fact, if it's not attached to me, I am likely to leave it. So far, my camera has remained in the seat I vacated. One of us always remembers as we are getting in the car.
I went to a very conservative Presbyterian college where for the most part, you could trust the people around you. Except when it came to umbrellas. Western PA is very, very rainy and umbrellas, if left unattended for even a brief moment would often find a new owner.
Oooh! I hope you never leave your camera behind somewhere! I left mine on the x-ray belt going into the Empire State building. Someone brought it to me as I walked away. I think I was very lucky.
LOL – that's funny!