Hurray for Rain

It's raining. Raindrops are splashing on the street and driveway in front of the house, and cars driving by are making that unique sound that indicates wet streets.

We've been pretty dry this spring, making me worry about our trees, vines and garden. The lawn is green, but I know that hue can change quickly in the absence of precipitation, even in April.

I recall one particular instance of hearing a television weather reader, in the midst of a protracted drought, gush enthusiastically about the clear skies and warm temperatures in the forecast. I ranted in Sally's general direction ("general" because she keeps moving in unpredictable directions when I start my rants) about the idiocy of that particular meteorastrologist. The problem, I think, is something larger. Despite our much ballyhooed ability to reason, humans seem unable to embrace the reality of the world in which we live. Faced with darkness, we turn on floodlights, extinguishing the softer glow of the moon, stars, nebulas, and galaxies, including our own. Faced with an awareness of the hidden life of microbes all around and within us, we grab the spray disinfectant and a prescription for antibiotics. There are ants outside - sometimes inside - and bees, and birds, and bats. Yes, by the grace of all that is holy there are still birds and bees, and bats.

So, I'm embracing the rain today. It might last only a few hours, or continue for days and wash away the effects of all my little exertions, but I'm so thankful - so thankful - that it came into my life this day.

There's a wonderful statement I first read as a signature on emails from one of my wonderful friends, perhaps one of you. It's variously attributed to Sir Rannulph Fiennes and as a traditional Scottish saying: There's no such thing as bad weather... only inappropriate clothing.

Hurray!

Stranger than Fiction

OK, I admit that sometimes even I am surprised. You know how people occasionally read a parody in The Onion and think it's real? Well how can you blame them, when what is "real" is so often unbelievable? A case in point... visit the following link and click on, "Watch the TV Commercial!" Here.

My Trip Caught Up With Me (continued)

Today my back came to the conclusion that it had been in the car too long. Either that or it decided that being in the car is normal, and that I've been out of the driver's seat too long. Either way....

It is gently raining today. Though our fruit trees have been starting to blossom, this morning, for the first time, the grass looked green. I also noticed that the overnight low temperatures are edging upward again. When the lows remain around 50 degrees, our fruit trees, grape vines and flowering plants will begin to grow in earnest.

My Trip Caught Up With Me

Upon arriving back in Spokane following my trip to the Final Four, I was amazed at how good I felt. Given the miles and hours I had put on, I was doing really well... until mid-afternoon yesterday. I had quite a little letdown yesterday afternoon. It was experienced as physical fatigue, but also as mental exhaustion bordering on depression. OK, I also experienced a seal failure on my precious Presso coffee maker, and that influenced my mood. Still, by 7pm I was ready to hit the sack.

Today has been somewhat better. Sally and I got up fairly early and shared a nice breakfast. I then turned my full attention to doing my taxes, and had that nasty task completed by around noon. I have discovered the significant tax advantages of not having much income. Hurrah, I guess.

Sally is heading off to Omak for three days for a series of meetings with contractors on her big design project, so I'll be on my own for a few days. Thankfully (!) there is a new wave of tension at the church, so I'll have plenty of email exchanges to read.

Before I go, I thought I'd share a highlight from the trip. Here's the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota. You can barely make out the words "Go Dawgs!" emblazoned on the rear window of the Subaru in white shoe polish.

What with visiting such tourist hotspots and all, it's little wonder I'm a bit tired!

Back Home Again...

Just returned from my whirlwind trip to Indianapolis. Over the last 10 days I drove the old Subaru an average of 441 miles per day, spent an average of $121 per day for gas, food, lodging, Final Four tickets and Butler paraphernalia, saw three basketball games, cried with joy once, pride another time, and laughed a lot. I listened to "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" over three days of driving, and exhausted my entire supply of podcasts.

I'll try to write a bit over the next few days. Glad to be home.

Final: Duke 61, Butler 59

So very close. So very proud. If 3 months ago, had anyone offered Butler a chance at having the ball with 13 seconds left with a shot at the national title, my guess is they'd have said, "You're kidding!"

So very close. So very proud!

Final: Butler 52, Michigan State, 50

Yes, I was there. Well, here, I guess. I'll still be here, in Indianapolis, for the national championship game tomorrow night. This game has cosmic implications. Go Bulldogs!