Tropical Storm Bill came rolling through our little patch of paradise, bringing rain for a few days. After the wet winter and spring, the last thing we needed was even more rain.
I really didn’t understand what the fuss was about. But I helped my Dad pull his garlic out of the garden last weekend, and he asked me to help him out with cutting the grass before the storm hit. Riding the mower was fun, as it was the first time to do it by myself.
But when the bands of rain started, it began to hit me why Dad was so concerned about the yard. Water was everywhere. I had to wait and watch the rain bands so that I could time it just right to walk my dog. The poor thing is a princess, and doesn’t like to get wet. But we managed to get through all the rain without any accidents in the house.
Last night I waited to go to bed so I could walk her one last time. I kept sticking my head out the back door to check for the rain to let up. Finally there was a break in the weather and we were able to take our last walk for the night.
As I stepped off the back porch the warm breeze hit me. It felt different. I don’t know how to explain it. But the dog and I both could sense that this was not just a summer evening rain. It just felt different. It smelled different. And the steady wind showed us the power that it had. It was not a strong wind, but a steady stiff breeze that let me know we were lucky that Bill moved so fast and did not have time to get stronger.
But at the same time it felt wonderful to me. The warm, thick humid air wrapping around my body. My hair blowing in the wind. Maybe it was because we had been cooped up in the house for a few days, I don’t know. But I felt free, and wanted to feel the wind as long as I could.
After my princess did her “business”, I wanted to enjoy the breeze so we walked in the dark all the way across the back yard down to the pond. It was full of water…actually overflowing. I had to walk through puddles of water, and princess tried her best to avoid getting her feet too wet. Of course I was bare foot…and bare everything else also. So I really wasn’t worried about where I walked. Cleanup was going to easy. As I walked through the mud I knew all I had to do was hose off before I went in the house.
It started to sprinkle a little, and I knew we better head back to the house. And sure enough my dog just bolted for the back door, beating me to the porch. I slowly walked back to the house, taking my time so I could enjoy the light rain and the warm breeze. I went straight for our outdoor shower that is next to the pool, so I could spray off my muddy feet.
Then we went back into the house, and I locked the back door for the night. I walked into the kitchen and unrolled a few paper towels and just wiped the rain drops off my body, and threw the paper towels in the trash. And I thought what an easy cleanup that was…seems silly for people to put on boots and a raincoat. When your own skin is just naturally perfect the way it is.
I went to sleep thinking about how nice my late night walk with Bill was…I hope he enjoyed it as much as I did.