Rainy Day

 

Nothing gladdens the heart in the middle of a drought like a good rainstorm. Our totally fake ponds, not spring-fed, were looking very low. In fact, it’s been so dry this year that one of them has grassed over and will need mowing before long.

  

        A perfect day to jump up and crank out some bread (whole wheat cinnamon-raisin with walnuts) to take to a friend we’re visiting tomorrow. It had to be baked early since I had a haircut appointment for 3:30, and what with mixing, first rise, then second rise, then baking, this was not something to do at the last minute.

 

So, there I was, kneading at 9 a.m., and thought how lovely.

 The rain was lashing down, the light was dim, and cool air was wafting in.

Dough safely in its bowl for the first rise, I took my breakfast out to the lanai to listen to the book on my phone and watch it rain. The downpour was really heavy, sometimes blowing through the screen. It pounded down on the water, the wind blew the palms, and all the wildlife was hunkered down.

Except for that ripple in the water. I watched it, thinking, Turtle? Large fish?

Something gray and smooth rose and then descended – once, a pause, then further away a second time. And then a big sleek otter emerged, zipping up the bank out of view. 

Very, very cool.