Another Rainy Day

An article in the newspaper yesterday said that the annual rainfall total this year, 52 inches,  will soon exceed that of any year since annual rainfall records have been kept here. That is is twice the average annual rainfall in Edinburgh, Scotland.The argument that the drought has been officially declared over in Sonoma County comes as very little surprise to its residents, many of whom are traveling by by kayak and canoe, and looking at pictures of their homes half underwater. We had a few days of sunshine to dry out and adjust our attitudes, but it is cold and rainy again today and we have quickly lost whatever psychological gains we made.

Glancing out the kitchen window, the only signs of life are the metal quail and a couple of plastic turtles in the pond. There must have been 20 real quail scurrying across the driveway before it started raining in earnest this morning, but the sentry sent them all scurrying back to the olive bushes when he caught sight of me. 

The turtles are yet another item which has mysteriously appeared around here. It's hard to say whether we like them or whether we just can't be bothered to take them out. It has been interesting to see the ways in which this fountain has evolved since we moved here. We thought it would be the first thing to go when we came, but inertia has taken hold, and besides, the birds love to bathe there.

The desert plants, the oranges and even a glimpse of some blooming daffodils would make one think we were in a desert oasis if it weren't for OilMan in his parka and umbrella. I caught a picture of him from the dry and relatively warm house as he went to pick some lettuce to take to the neighbors for dinner.