We have needed rain. We had so little snow last winter that we knew it was going to be dry this summer. But the monsoons haven’t come yet, so it is even drier than we feared. My land didn’t even put up any grasses this year and ranchers, who feed their animals from what they grow, are unable to produce what they need, even with irrigation. The land is just so deeply parched, reserving its scant resources.
And it’s been unusually windy and hot and, more recently, humid. Even at night it’s not cooling off as it usually does. And then there are the fires. I’m sure you’ve all heard about them. CNN’s lead story a couple of weeks ago was, “New Mexico On Fire!” and, while that’s not true, there were some days when it felt true. I’m happy to say the fires are all under control now and most are out completely.
I’m from Seattle originally and, while the northwest can have its droughts too, yearning for rain in the summer isn’t something we ever did. There’s a line in the movie, Sleepless In Seattle, that I always loved. When Annie tells her brother she’s thinking of moving to Seattle he says, “It rains nine months out of the year there!” Exactly. So wishing for rain is not something that comes naturally to me.
But I am wishing for it now. I look at my brittle land and long, with all my heart, for a break in the weather, for the cooling nurture of the rain.
We have had a smattering of small showers and then, late yesterday afternoon, it rained in earnest. Thank you Spirit! And it is amazing what this land will do with just this small bit of nature’s bounty. It is a land that is accustomed to lying dormant, waiting for some nourishment, so when it comes it springs to life.
Yesterday’s lovely drizzle (the very best rain we can get because it seeps into the ground while hard rain washes over its surface) was not enough. It only lasted about an hour and a half. But it was plenty to set the Junipers singing and to give us all a breath of fresh air—enough for a wonderful walk this morning with the boys.
And now, right this very minute, a storm is gathering over Truchas Peaks. Thunder is rumbling and I smell rain in the air. And as I step outside to take one more picture for this post, there it is, the first sweet drops of today’s new rain. Perhaps the monsoons are finally upon us. May it be so.
Love to you all,
Jeane
