Passing Through

With
dark
clouds
hovering

after

last

night's

storm,

I wondered whether to wait or walk this morning.

What a blessing
to watch
the tailend
Passing Through.

Man's Best Friend

Motorbike?

Or

hunting dog?

On this morning's walk, I caught them in action and wondered...

Red Raspberry Romance

The best romance novels hold old truths. I recently read in a British ditty that it takes three minutes to seep a good cup of tea. I tried that at noon today.

As I sat on our deck waiting for my cup of tea to gain its full flavor, I recalled my UNusual late-morning walk. After a thunder shower, the sun was high and hot.

I’d covered my arms with a long-sleeved t-shirt and my head with a dish-towel scarf. I lacked only a long calico skirt to cover my legs. Otherwise, I'd have given Laura Ingalls Wilder a run for her money in prairie-styling ways.

The fabrics actually kept my covered skin cooler. And at this mid-life stage, I appreciate all aid against hot flashes. Still, sweat ran down my neck and back.

During the two-mile trek along the open gravel road,

I sought tiny spots of shade. There were two.

The first was cast by a roadside bush about a half-mile from home. I stood in its shadow,

airing my underarms in a cool breeze.

I hit this spot again on the return trip, figuring

it'd be the last break before home. I was surprised.

Coming around the bend, I saw a tiny shadow cast by a tree limb overhanging the road. I climbed the hillside ditch to gain complete cover in the birch grove.

There under the umbrella of branches, ferns frolicked in the breeze. As the air flowed through my soaked shirt, I shivered.

Never before had I experienced such a sensation

- when -

the air IN the sunlight is scorching and
the air OUT of the sunlight is chilling.




What was that: A change in seasons? A change in climate? Or a change in me?

Fortunately, my three-minute cuppa tea warmed - both physically and flavorfully.

Here's to the Brits.

Here's to the pioneers.

Here's to the Romance of Red Raspberry!