It Arrived!!!!!!!!!

 

Seems that the 7’s are lucky! Today being 7/7/11, we had some mighty good luck!

And I couldn’t be more happy if Christmas and all of my birthdays had arrived on the same day!

Whooohooo!!!

Monsoon Season arrived today!!!!

(If you want to listen to me sing a silly song, way off key, you can turn off my playlist over on my sidebar, otherwise, just enjoy the sight of rain in New Mexico)

 

Now, I know all of you who’ve been almost drowned by rain these past few months, probably won’t understand my excitement, but just humor me a little, ok?

Driving home from the Hug a Horse Thrift store, where I volunteer twice a week, I could see a rain cloud just beyond the ridge where we live, here in the mountains. And I could also see the demarcation line where the rain was hitting the road on the ridge across from the one I was driving over. Where I was driving was dry, but I could see the wet road ahead and the path as the rain streamed down.

Would the rain visit my own little valley in the mountains, too?

After arriving home and spending about an hour sweating while doing some chores in the 97F degree heat, I was about to give up hope when the thunder began, and the heavy pitter patter of fat raindrops started hitting the roof. Soon afterwards a thunderous deluge of rain fell to the ground, and then, after about 10 minutes, it was over.

Or so I thought!

Not 15 minutes later, an even heavier, louder, and faster rain storm rushed in and caused small creeks to run down the hill from our barn and into the arroyos that have been dry for the past year.

Looking up the dirt lane towards our barn.

Looking down the dirt lane away from the barn.

The arroyo (ditch) in front of our house.

 

The rain continued steadily for about 20 minutes, before it finally petered out and the sun returned again.

Everything smelled so fresh and clean like all the dust of the past 12 months had been washed away. My fruit trees, although barren of peaches and apples due to the high winds and drought this past year, seemed thankful to have been given a fresh shower.

The weather report said we received a half an inch of rain today. Look how much rain fell in our wheelbarrow!

And on the ground!

The chickens weren’t all that impressed and just waited out the rain underneath their house.

As did the goats and llamas, albeit inside the barn. They really dislike getting rained on and run for cover at the first sign of any moisture.

But after the rain they ventured out, looking surprised to be walking on wet ground, but already searching for anything green that might have considered sprouting from our little monsoon rainfall.

I’ve been watering the heck out our little grassy backyard that I offer to the animals for a grazing treat during the summer. Maybe now I won’t have to water so much if the monsoon rains continue?

I can imagine the tough life of the Native Americans who worked hard to grow crops to survive in this dry land. They must have been so elated when the monsoons finally arrived. My little raised bed garden, not for survival by any means, and only half planted with sprouted radishes, carrots, lettuce and spinach has had to be watered three times a day the past few weeks and I sure would love it if the monsoons did some of that work for me.

 

The temps went from 97F degrees down to 73F degrees during those 30 minutes of rain. Wonderful!

Apache was quite energized and excited by the rain when I went up to feed her dinner. She was trotting, kicking up her heels, and swinging her head. And her snorting, blowing, and “whoofing” gave a wild aspect to my little horse.

And of course, she took full advantage of the rain to have a few good rolls in the mud.

I wish I could share the earthy scents and invigorating aroma of the damp juniper and cedar trees that filled the air after our rainfall. Ahhhh! Mmmm!

I wish I could describe how exotic the rain felt on my skin as I danced and celebrated outside in the cool, refreshing rain. What a wondrous miracle!

 

Yay for Rain! Hooray for the Summer Monsoons!!!