Waxing and Raining

Tides ebb and flow, the moon waxes and wanes, seasons come and go. Or at least that's the way it's supposed to be. But summer seems to be stuck this year.  Sunshine and heat beats out damp cool weather, but it can't hold on. Warmish winds bring storms and drenching rains. The temperatures drop and the creeks rise. Gardens are washed out, fishing streams turn muddy, and the weather channel sends out flash flood alerts.

French Creek Falls

Yeah, actually, there is no such thing as French Creek Falls -- this is just run-off from a field across the creek from us, the result of torrential downpours. Pretty impressive, huh?

We have a hidden spot to stash our canoes and kayaks down by the creek bank. That's where they summer over so they're handy for fishing excursions. Tom hauled two canoes down there a couple of weeks ago. But then he had to go rescue them from the high waters. The boats are back up here on dry higher ground. Nothing is dry around here. Nothing. Yet I will try to wax eloquent and put a positive spin on all this rain.

This is the week of the Bruce Family Reunion. It's here in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania for the first time ever. There will be swimming and fishing, canoeing and kayaking, yard games and tractor rides, outdoor grilling (chicken and ribs), roasting of hotdogs and s'more by the campfire, eating at picnic tables and sleeping out in tents...if the rain stops. All that...if the rain stops.

But if the rain doesn't stop. Well, let's see. We've got a pretty big house and two deep covered porches. We'll rent a canopy so the outdoor cooks don't get soaked. There will be no creek activities, because you've got to have a healthy respect for high water, but there will certainly be swimming (as long as there is no thunder and lightning). Playing in the pool while raindrops dance all around is magical. When the pool is heated, all the better.

Besides, reunions are all about the people. Reconnecting. Getting to know cousins and aunts and uncles better. Meeting new babies, and seeing how youngsters have grown. Hearing all the latest accomplishments. Sharing woes. Missing those who can't come for whatever reason, and fondly remembering those who have gone from us -- flown away to a better place.

No matter the weather, it'll be a good time with family. The rain can't take that away from us.

And without the April, May and June showers we wouldn't have so many brightly colored flowers!

 

This picture of red dahlias is clearly from last summer. Notice the landscape timbers, dry as a bone. Definitely not this year's picture.

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Luke 12:27