Storms and Nasty Weather

Weather. Here we have been inundated by some nasty storms over the past 24 hours. Rain high winds and hail have kept many people in and glued to their TVs. We got over five inches of rain yesterday - the most I've ever recorded here and we've lived here for over 30 years! I keep calling friends and family to make sure everyone's okay, too. (Thank goodness!) We live in sand mostly so the flooding hasn't been an issue here.

Life is made up of storms like these. They can be frightening and we never know how they will affect our little corners of the world. I'm fascinated by these weather events, but the after effects can be terribly devastating. We had many trees down, and roads totally washing out, but the long term repercussions can affect life all around us.

Here's hoping these nasty squalls, thunderstorms, and downpours don't make life miserable for everyone.

Eagles Fly!

Here begins the rush to spring. By now everyone is passed even tolerating snow, slush, ice and frigid temperatures! I mean it really makes the journey in to work yucky!

Now, of course that's not true for the real winter enthusiast, they are those who wait for the ski trips and snow mobile rides that make the winter fun. But why is it that we don't like winter as a culture? If you think of the Native cultures that live up in Canada and beyond you know there are many descriptions and names for snow. So why is it that we get cabin fever? Some of it has to do with our culture that doesn't value the natural world much except in a picture frame, or if we do we want to keep out there - in the National Parks, or the wilderness areas. We're in the modern world and we cannot let this winter weather affect our commute to work, or to where ever we have to get right now.

If you died as a wealthy man or woman, but never experienced a sunrise sitting on a porch as a forest came alive you've missed the world. If you haven't watched the birds at a feeder or seen a hawk or an owl on the prowl for food you've really missed out on nature's beauty. John Denver's song is right and fits me perfectly we are so into technology and miss what makes life really tick - the gifts of nature all around us.


He was born in the summer of his 27th year
Comin home to a place hed never been before
He left yesterday behind him, you might say he was born again
You might say he found a key for every door......

And the colorado rocky mountain high
Ive seen it rainin fire in the sky
I know hed be a poorer man if he never saw an eagle fly
Rocky mountain high................

(Check out the whole set of lyrics the next time you get the chance, and appreciate the gifts all around you.)

Pennies from Heaven...

"It's raining, it's pouring..." We haven't had rain in over 3 months and yesterday it rained most of the day. As I splashed through my day I watched others grumble, though because they hadn't expected it - or horror of horrors they got wet. But of course I was thrilled, well me and my garden were! I felt like I was walking on air in my excitement, and like a kid splashed through every puddle I came across. I even offered my umbrella to many who needed a bit of a covering from the rain in my meanderings down our main street.

"Perfect" weather may seem perfect but it always takes something from the world. We all need a bit of rain in our lives to keep the balance. Watching Gene Kelly dance in the rain can be completely understandable. Rejoicing in that gift from the clouds does make some of us just a bit exuberant!