I woke up to gray and I watched the rain and I was glad. Remembering all those months of drought, when I wanted so much just to feel the rain. Today I soaked in it. I walked the city with a casual hand on the umbrella and felt my clothes slowly get saturated. I watched the rain make … read more Walk in the water
Tag: rain
Written in black ink
We’ve had lots of rain the past few days. The streams are flowing through the woods. The chickadees are tittering and laughing. There are so many things to love about the rain. Most of all, how it strips the trees bare. Naked tree limbs and soaked tree trunks make such lovely patterns against the sky. … read more Written in black ink
The color of rain
I woke up at 4 a.m. And listened. What was that sound? I wasn’t sure. I hoped. I got up. And there it was. Rain. Finally. We’ve had less than 4 inches of rain in the last four months; normally we’d have gotten 16 inches. The last real rain, of more than an inch, was … read more The color of rain
Leaving Fiji
Nov. 1, 1996 – Suva, Fiji The latest issue of the Africa-Carribean-Pacific magazine, The Courier, had country profiles of Mali and Western Samoa. The photos of those buildings in Mali fascinated me, I can’t wait to see them in person – unearthly, built by another species. So many things transcend time and space. And yet … read more Leaving Fiji
Endless summer
Every day I get up and it’s the same: sunshine, blue skies, warmth. You’d think I would be delighted with this. It’s perfect weather for hiking, walking, or just sitting on the deck. We don’t have to run the noisy heater. Don’t have to schlep raincoats, or worry about Tom slipping on a wet floor. … read more Endless summer
The most lush spring ever
Self-centered creature that I am, I’ve been feeling as though this spring was designed and built JUST FOR ME. With a long winter of struggling through recovery from brain surgery, I felt shrunken and afraid. Then the flowers bloomed. And bloomed. And kept blooming. It has been a spring of tremendous abundance. I hoped to see one … read more The most lush spring ever
Old friends, new friends
A storm was coming. I had to hike early today to beat it, because I was going to do a tough trail. It’s one I haven’t been on in many months. But my recovery seems to be mostly over, and I felt ready to tackle it. The trail starts out with a piece that climbs steadily but … read more Old friends, new friends
Newborns
The dirt crumbles under my fingers. My hair is full of raindrops. Bright green laughs against the backdrop of the still-awakening forest. I laugh along and talk to them. “Little basils, I want to be sure you have enough room to grow. How about six of you in this planter box, would that be OK?” … read more Newborns
Identifying trees, part 1
It’s gray, cloudy, raining like heck. One of those days when you think that the sun itself is science fiction, and that nothing in the world will ever be right again. This is the best time to find a beech tree. Perfect conditions. Drive anywhere, and you’ll see nothing but beech trees. Because right now, they’re the only … read more Identifying trees, part 1
Day 44: Another reason I love the South
I love my termite guy. He shows up once a year, inspects the house inside and out, never criticizes my housekeeping, and I hand him a check for $75. That’s not why I love him, though I am grateful for the professional service. No, what I love is that he likes to talk about bugs, … read more Day 44: Another reason I love the South