It’s raining! (Well at least it was when I drafted this post and hopefully it will be again when it goes live.)
While the rest of the nation curses the cold (except for Phil The Regular Guy in New York) and digs out from under a white blanket of snow, we’ve been basking in blissful 70 degree days. I know what you’re thinking, those poor folks in California.
Now, ordinarily the onset of rain wouldn’t be such a big deal, but here in California we’re already water rationing and wondering how soon we’re going to run out of water. The snowfall this year has been abysmal and our reservoirs are already at less than 50%. If things keep going in this vein, there’ll be no water skiing, no river rafting, no toilet flushing this summer. Probably not even this spring. Maybe not even this month.
So, when it started to rain last week, after many weeks of drought, everyone, and I do mean everyone, let out a collective sigh of relief.
After the first few sprinkles folks headed outside to investigate.
Was this indeed rain falling from the heavens?
When we realized that we were in fact getting wet, astonishment set in.
Followed by copious amounts of rejoicing.
We could not believe our eyes.
Our prayers had been answered.
We danced around like idiots.
We couldn’t stop smiling.
Now granted, the total amount of water that fell from the sky is not even remotely close to the amount of water we’re still going to need just to bring us to the 50% mark, but what little we did receive provided a little ray of hope that more might be on the way.
So this is my tribute to the rain. May it fall abundantly for the next few weeks. Now everybody, raise a glass and repeat after me, “All Hail The Rain!”
How’s the weather in your neck of the woods? Still digging out? Still sub-zero? Do you like the rain, the cold, winter? I’d love to hear from you.
Word of the Day: Xanthone
Fun face about me: I didn’t learn to ride a bicycle until I was 13. (Long story. Perhaps another blog post).
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, February 2014. Photos courtesy Google Images.
I love the rain. All Hail the Rain! I think Seattle was sending good vibes yesterday, with the rain and the Superbowl win!
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Let’s hope the rain keeps falling, Suzanne. I’m not going to give credit to the Hawks though. That team needs an attitude adjustment. They are not gracious winners.
But, if Seattle is indeed sending the rain, then I send them my thanks.
Patricia
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I’m in Texas and share your appreciation of rain, blessed rain. May your reservoirs recharge, your stock ponds refill, and your farms and gardens drink.
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Thanks, Pat. It’s sure going to be scary this summer if we don’t get a whole bunch more rain and snow. We count on the snow pack to fill our lakes here in the foothills, but so far, there’s not much to melt.
Keep praying!
Patricia
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Here in southwest Ohio, it’s wet yuck, ranging from ice to snow to rain. I’d happily send some your way if I could!
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Bottle it up Jenette and ship it here. Sunny again today.
I suppose there’s some kind of higher purpose for the lack of moisture, but it’s worrisome.
Patricia
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I’m sure you’ve heard the stories about Oregon rain – I have an umbrella collection. Sending more rain wishes south…wanna trade for some sunshine?
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I’d love a trade – sunshine heading your way. I hope it doesn’t get hijacked en route.
Umbrella collection? Novel idea. I have an umbrella, which continues to roll around in the back of my car. Perhaps I should take it out – inspire the rain a little. Murphy’s law and all.
Let me know if you get that order I sent and I shall do the same.
Patricia
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I loved the smell of the rain after it hasn’t rained for a long while. We even had a few snow flakes the other day. Since we are going to move to Wisconsin, hubby keeps checking on the temperature back there. The other day there was a 100 degrees difference from our house to theirs – we had 51 degrees and his sister had -51 degrees.
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You’d best be getting yourself some warm fuzzy sweaters my friend. You’re going to be missing this sunshine.
And it was nice to see the rain. We didn’t get any of the white stuff this last time, but I know it was close. I saw the cars coming down the hill with snow.
Patricia
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And there was snow in the mountains. 🙂
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I know. Halla – friggin – looya!!
Come on moisture. Fall to the earth.
Patricia
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Maybe even a rain dance? Patricia, you know that I’m in SoCal. We are bone dry. It rained last night for a few hours. And I think we are expected to receive more rain on Thursday. It’s going to be an interesting spring and summer. Yep, we’re water rationing. No slip and slide in our near future. 🙂
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And you guys have already had a pretty big fire down there, too, Karen. I hope the big guy upstairs has more moisture in store for us this spring.
Take care. Good to see you.
Patricia
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Well now I’m jealous! We only got a few sprinkles in Ventura County yesterday. Not even enough to soak through my sweatshirt as I took a stroll outside and the kids seem to be enjoying the heck out of it. I love the photos!
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I think you SoCal folks are in for a very long, very dry summer. There’s some rain in the forecast, but you know how that always goes.
Here’s hoping we’ll get some more rain soon.
Thanks for stopping by, Jessica.
Patricia
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I did not realize how bad it is over there.
We are going to get more snow, sleet, and rain here tomorrow in NYC. You are welcome to take all of it. Them more over the weekend. Done with winter now!
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Phil, how I wish I could redirect the storm clouds. I’d love some rain, snow, sleet right about now. All the trees are blooming, daffodils are blooming, it’s crazy. The crops are going to be slim pickings this year I’m afraid.
Mother Nature sure has a mind of her own.
I hope you guys get some relief soon. Maybe if everybody on the East coast went out side and started blowing toward the west, the storm would shift. You go out and try that. See if your neighbors will help.
Thanks for stopping by.
Patricia
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The weather everywhere this winter season has been nutty! Hope it goes back to normal soon!
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Amen!
Patricia
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Yay for the rain and hoping you get more. If only I could step outside and tell the rain to go to you. 🙂
Thanks to you, xanthone is officially my first international scientific vocabulary word!
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I’m glad to be somebody’s first.
Maybe if you guys in Virginia all set up fans on your porches and point them to the west the rain would change direction. Of course with them big ole Rocky Mountains between us, they’d probably block it from reaching us anyway. I say it’s worth a try. Do it.
I’m using my powers of persuasion to send some of this sunshine to you guys. We’ll see how successful I am.
Patricia
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It’s a plan! Once, when I was 9, I tried to funnel water via a garden hose after flooding my backyard with my homemade Hefty bag pool. So I’ve at least got the High Hopes part.
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I’m in SoCal and have it easy like you! We didn’t get much from that last storm, but it was better than nothing. I’m wondering how the state can continue to allow mo’ and mo’ and mo’ new homes to be built when water is such an issue. Go figure! “All hail the rain, but with no hail!” 🙂
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Hi Lynn. I know what you mean about the new homes. Where I live we have a no growth plan, which in some ways is bad, but in a lot of ways is kind of good. It’s a scary proposition since we live in fire country and there isn’t gonna be any water to fight the fires if things don’t improve.
Fortunately, we’re looking at 3 days of rain this weekend so hopefully we’ll get a few inches anyway. And more snow is falling in the mountains so that’ll help a little, too.
Thanks for stopping by and keep doing the rain dance.
Patricia
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