After a long and terrible drought, we finally got rain this week and I was so happy I nearly cried. Our parched, dusty earth is dark brown and moist again and the air is so clean and fresh and cool. At least at our farm. Neighbors 10 km away didn’t get a drop. 🙁 I ache for them and wish for bucketing rain for all of Australia.

Yesterday I spent the day in town so I could meet a new specialist who is making great strides in evaluating and helping my situation. Hooray! While I was waiting, watching the skies fill up with massive dark clouds, I decided to risk a drenching and walk down to the park.

park in AutumnIt was gorgeous, with leaves in glossy russet, pale green, and sunny yellow carpeting paths and fields. The wind rushed through the poplars making the leaves shimmy and whisper. It was so cooling and refreshing I just stood there, eyes closed, letting it whisk away the week of suffocating heat and humidity.

fallen leavesI wandered slowly, stopping every few feet to sigh happily at one beautiful Autumn vignette after another.

Who can resist apple red leaves on Kelly green grass?

red leavesOr sage gum leaves etched against blackened bark?

gum tree leafOr a carpet of leaves under a stormy sky?

stormy AutumnWhat about an aging poplar leaf…

aging poplar leaf…or a starry orange flower…

starry orange flower…or a lap full of colored leaves?

orange shoes and leavesThen, as I walked and looked and sighed, the gentlest of rains began to fall, cool and luscious, misty and wonderful. A walk in the rain. The cherry on top of a magical morning.

What’s making you happy about your weather today? xo