Yesterday, it was warm and dry here, but early this morning storms rolled through with gusty winds and lightning setting the sky ablaze. I heard the rumble of thunder and rolled out of bed to close windows and gather drying towels before the skies opened. We need the rain, it’s been dry here, and it’s been dry back home.
Home has been dry for over a month and June was a record dry month in Chicagoland. Before leaving for camp, I spent early mornings and evenings watering the plants and reluctantly, the yard. The early spring had brought wet cool lush grass, but the heat and lack of rain turned it to dry brittle grass in early summer. We hoped and prayed for rain, but sometimes, prayers for rain are answered and sometimes, they are not; and sometimes rain comes with a big storm, or big storms. That’s plural. Friday storms rolled across the Midwest, and they returned with a vengeance Sunday. Of course, I missed it all. Being at scout camp and driving to the Michigan cottage. We got an e-mail late Sunday night from the park district at home announcing that the pools were closed due to the power outages and we called home, the answering machine picked up – we had power and we called a neighbor to walk the yard and she called back to say all was fine except for a few branches. We’d watched the evening national news while getting dinner together and heard about the derecho, which pummeled the east coast, but no mention of storm damage back home. Then last night, Beth checked e-mail and learned the mayor had cancelled the Fourth of July parade and fireworks. Beth called a neighbor who filled her in and reassured her; we watched the WGN newscast at nine, here it’s at ten, and got a more complete picture. Oh my!
This morning storm brought three quarters of an inch and the forecast calls for more. A perfect day to lay-low. Ivy’s curled up in her crate, O and momma are still sleeping, though momma got up when I was closing windows and watched the lighning and rain from the front window with Ivy and me. Ivy doesn’t like thunder or fireworks and curled up on the footstool to feel safe. I sipped coffee and started writing when momma went back to bed. I got my sleep Sunday and she needs to catch up, too.
Yesterday, we put the pontoon in and O drove it across the lake. I fixed the lift and docked it before covering it and calling it a night. O has been in the water with her lake buddies and truly enjoying summer. How I wish it could be this much fun at home. I guess in some ways it is, but it is different here. The houses are close together, the lake nearer, and there are no fences. Neighbors are not in a hurry, after all, we come here to unwind. I watched the sunset and the moon rise, how I wish I could take a picture of the moon the way my eyes see it.
Yesterday was a great day, today could possibly be the best day ever. So, I had better jump up, jump in, and get a movin’. Making the Days Count, one day at a time, spending a rainy day well, even if it is to lay-low on the couch and read a book!
What is the weather like in your neck of the woods?