Contemplations in Rain

Contemplations… rain seems to slide the thoughts into pathways made rusty by such a long dry hot spell.  Perhaps it is the sudden release of breathe after tracking so many fires this year.  Or perhaps the moisture lubricates the mind, allowing it to slip and slide here and there.  Out the window from where I sit and type, the rain has stopped again, the plums are huge and purple on the trees near the deck, and brighter light seems to bring a glow to the wet leaves and grass.
Mount Adams still hides her face behind the soft gray veil,  refusing to show her new covering of fresh snow.  I can only assume the peak has this new white gown, based on the reports from Mount Rainer’s Paradise webcams found here.

for example, at this time I see this grouping around the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise.

Also there were reports last night from Mount Hood’s Timberline of 8-9 inches of new snow, and a very happy St. Bernard that lives at the Lodge.

You can see webcams via Timberline here.

Meanwhile, the Snotel site at Surprise Lakes up in Gifford Pinchot National Forest claims no precipitation lately, which makes me wonder if it is actually working!  Or maybe I am reading it incorrectly.  This particular report on the Snotel site shows nearly a full years daily records, beginning 10-1-16.  interesting!

Well, that was an interesting side track in my flowing rain thoughts!  This has been the strangest of years.  I am wondering if we will slide quickly through Autumn and into a harsh winter.  Eternally hoping for the long beautiful Fall weather I love so much, but not so sure i will get it this year.  Might have to content myself with fall colors from previous years such at this:

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And now, as I finish up, the RAIN has continued.  I learned some new words this week:
      Petrichor:  pet·ri·chor, ˈpeˌtrīkôr/  (noun)  is the earthy scent produced when rain falls on dry soil. The word is constructed from Greek πέτρα petra, meaning “stone”, and ἰχώρ īchōr, the fluid that flows in the veins of the gods in Greek mythology.

also:  a pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather.
“other than the petrichor emanating from the rapidly drying grass, there was not a trace of evidence that it had rained at all”

Pluviophile. a lover of rain; someone who finds joy and peace of mind during rainy days.

​Psithurism

Wishing you all a lovely Autumn, and hopefully no one goes straight from Heat Stroke to Hypothermia!

Darlisa (Starlisa)