Singin’ in the Rain

Will it rain? Will it not? Will it rain? Will it not?

Sometimes it’s hard to guess.

 

We took the chance and headed out.

And it did rain…

…until we got under cover.  And then it stopped, and started again just as it was time to head back to the truck…

 

But the world is beautiful, even in the rain.

We walked and sang and it was good to be together, singin’ in the rain!

What’s a little rain between friends?

--LS

The strawberries haven’t minded a  bit!

In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Jn.16:33

It’s Raining…

And I certainly couldn’t imagine anything photo worthy today…

But I donned my gumboots and tromped out for a look… gradually calming to the cadence of a gentle rain as I stood and watched raindrops form…

on the year’s new buds,

and catkins…

And is it my imagination, or do these branches not look rather festive?

The orange peel fungus caught my eye, apparently undaunted by the rain, if not altogether edible!

The ivy is in its element too, quietly taking over our little piece of woodland, one silent creeping tendril at a time

And then I circled round to our winter ‘pond’, the end result of all this rain.

Is there any beauty here?

I didn’t think so but… as I stood in the rain watching the raindrops endlessly forming perfect concentric circles, with just the softest little pitter…I saw a certain beauty even in our big winter ‘puddle’.

Reflections…

Splish-splashes…and Bubbles!

A quiet rainy morning has a beauty all its own…

Even the firs are decked out in a hundred crystal baubles!

--LS

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Eccl.3:11

It’s been ‘berry’ rainy…

I seem to have stayed put this week… the weather has been suitable for deskwork.  Probably a good thing;  when would I ever get down to thinking about school prep otherwise?  But one damp overcast morning I got out for a little hike first thing while the raindrops were still on the salal along the climb…

A bumper crop of huckleberries called from the roadside.  It’s been a terrific berry year, first our own strawberries, then salmonberries and now  huckleberries and thimbleberries (though I have yet to venture across the highway and see if the bears have left me some of those.) 

And I suppose the lichen is happy with all the wet…it’s even fashioned goblets for the occasion…

Oh, and of course, the slugs are happy as…well, happy as such slimy garden-gobbling creatures can be!

And that’s about the extent of my ramblings this week.  If you’re having really hot weather and wishing it away, think of us and try to enjoy that warmth that hasn’t even a hint of coolness in it… We would be glad to trade our sea breezes and rain for a good hot summer if you’ve any to spare!

--LS

A Sluggish Day...

Well.... this has been a sluggish day from the get-go... Woke from a dream of buying property in sunny Arizona, only to find it a rainy cold morning with an unpleasant snap in the wind as I went out to serve the hens fresh water and scratch.... Sat down to eat slimy Red River cereal with toast when what should appear on the wall above the toaster (this is no joke) but a fellow from the garden, a long dark brown slimy slug with distinctly two curious antenna out to inspect our breakfast--as if it were his business! Ugh. Imagining where he came from and how he got there is nightmare material. But as Jim said, at least I didn't wake to find him on my face! And that was just the beginning of this sluggish day.....
But to make a rather long and boring story short and spare you the depression I tried to journal through in the afternoon doldrums, I found a slug solution. Take note for future reference in the event you should wake one day with a slug on your wall. The solution is this:
1) Curl up in a ball in a quiet space and take a nap for at least half an hour.

2) Eat chocolate. Not so much that you feel guilt for having consumed too many calories, but enough to get a good taste and a moment of happiness.

3) Put on comfortable warm pants (don't worry about the looks just the warm and the comfortable part) and march directly out to the bike shed and head on up the road on a happy 'beater bike' for a tour of the neighborhood. Take a new route. Don't plan on working hard, just pedal firmly and mentally plan out a course that will include as many streets as possible. No rush. Just breathe deeply and you'll find pleasure begins to overtake the sluggishness of the day. Yeah!!! for endorphins and cool fall days!

Try it. It works. Slugs all gone.