Tuesday

The fact that I've been able to move so much this month (closing my watch rings every single day in September) should tell you this: we've not had much rain. Because when it rains, the bike stays in the garage. There is no pleasure in getting drenched on a bike trail. Or a hiking trail. Physical activity comes to a grinding halt.

Today, it rained. Indeed, during the night alone our bucket picked up about two inches of water. And the forecast tells us we should expect rain, on and off, for the next two days.

Of course, animal feeding proceeds as usual, though you really have to herd the cats to their feeding stations. They do not like leaving the safety of the porch. The porch is so dry! The world -- so wet.

(the hens don't like the rain either, but they love the wet soil for their foraging)

But in studying the radar maps carefully, I can see that "on and off" really does mean on and off. There may be windows of opportunity for us. A pause in the rain. A recess! 

I pin it to come at 8. Ed! It's now or never!

The bike trail is wet and puddles spray water relentlessly as we move through them. But you'd be surprised how quickly the water drains. And once we're off the trail that cuts through the wetlands, the puddles disappear. 

We ride in a pocket of clearing skies. There is a risk that the clouds will close in on us, but hey, there is some pleasure in living dangerously!  

I imagine I am in Scotland, where the skies always offer an ever changing mix of cloud cover: stratus, cumulus, cirrus, nimbus -- surely some of each, until the thick gray ones eventually take over and, just like in Scotland, the rains come down again. But not during our ride! We're spared.

Breakfast, no longer outside. It may be dry on the porch, but it's much more snug in the kitchen.

And muffin baking. 

And, during another break in the rain, spot weed pulling (do you see why the day fills so fast?).

And grandkid pick up at school.

We've established a routine and it's a good one! Time for everything -- books, play, lots of snacks. And every once in a while, Ed hands over his computer and the girl teaches the boy the intricacies of "the Cat Game."

In the evening, the clouds stay firmly in place. By the time I drive home from the kid drop off, it's almost dark. Are we that close to winter already??

Time to cook up some comfort food. Farro with tomatoes and cheese on top. Autumnal suppers are wonderful!

with love...