Thought for the day - September 4th

Subject: Thought for the day - September 4th
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Sep 99 - 11:42 PM

It's been a slate gray day with an overlay of dark, ominous clouds weeping occasional torrents of rain across the land. Whenever it pours this hard on the prairie, the scent is so fresh and clean. The dry dust is hit hard by droplets of high velocity, pinging, making dimples in the dirt, flooding out as they flatten to rest atop the hard-packed crust, slowly sinking in as the earth grudgingly bids them welcome.

The brave wildflowers and garden posies lift up as though on tippy toes, stretching as far as they can to catch every droplet of moisture possible, slaking their thirst, rustling their leaves as though fluffing their skirts, shaking off the old dust of summer; a last hurrah before the cold tightens its grip and cuts them down.

The whole of Wyoming is under siege. ShyAnne had tornado warnings, as did Glenrock, just a few miles from where we live. Thunder and lightening quickened our hearts and seared our eyes, while in other places hail fell hard and fast. Snow is predicted for the high, northernmost mountains. Roger, who is often called out because of such weather, labels them all the pestilence of the week, with a wry shrug of his shoulders.

No sly and gradual hints at autumn and winter for the high plains. All in a rush, they are here and, for now, I am glad of the change.

Katlaughing

Subject: RE: Thought for the day - September 4th
From:
Date: 04 Sep 99 - 09:52 AM

Subject: RE: Thought for the day - September 4th
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Sep 99 - 10:05 AM

Very nice.

Personally, I'd just have said, "Geezus, we got some nasty fuckin' weather blowin' in here!" but........

Looks like it's time for Peter to get his "Waylon Heron" a long, black, Duster to wear.

CATSPAW49 *** "Spaw" ***
Practitioner and Purveyor of
Forthright,Honest,and Jovial Obscenity
www.mudcat.org ** Available Most Hours

Subject: RE: Thought for the day - September 4th
From: Allan C.
Date: 07 Sep 99 - 09:25 AM

And what a blessing it was! The rains came to West Virginia late Saturday afternoon. I was there visiting my mother and mowing the dirt which used to be a lawn. The grass was so sparse and the ground so dry that each pass with the riding mower stirred up a cloud of dust that made it difficult to see my way to dodge the trees. But I managed to hold my breath long enough for the breeze to blow away the filthy clouds. My glasses, my clothes, my skin were all coated with a fine layer of dirt.

As I mowed, I watched with fascination as black rain clouds appeared in the distance and slowly drew near. I cut the last little bit of grass just as the rain began. I slipped into high gear and headed for the shed, parked the mower and ran for the house. I was desperate to take a shower before any lightening began. As I began to pull off my clothes, I glanced in the mirror. I looked like some kind of weird Dalmatian! Everywhere the raindrops had hit my formerly white t-shirt, there were muddy brown spots. I laughed so hard I nearly feel over as I headed to the shower.

After I finished the shower and got dressed, I went out to the screened porch and sat to watch the show.

The "show" was the storm which now was blowing and raining in the most wonderful way. I felt that I could almost see the grasses and trees reaching up to welcome the rain. They still remembered how, although it had been mid June since they last saw any meaningful amount of rain.

I am not sure that plants can feel joy, but if they can, I was right there sharing it with them!