Country Summer

I love summer in the country. Berries are gone now. Fresh fruit is still on the trees. Kids at the local swimming hole. Frozen treats for the bookstore/coffee shop. Just watch out for the rattlesnakes.

Rain

A plant in dry soil reaches it's roots down deep thirsting for a drink. But there is no water to be found. The plant continues on working to feed itself and grow, but soon the lack of moisture takes its toll. The plant begins to droop and show signs of stress. It reaches deeper, barely hanging on. The sun beats down. Normally the sun's rays would be welcome, but now it only strains the plant more. Finally the clouds come and the moisture spills down. The plant drinks in the welcome respite from all the work and soaks in the moist rain. Soon the plant is standing strong again. Perhaps a few leaves are gone. Perhaps there is some small scar from the stress. But the new growth will soon cover all signs of the previous stress. The plant will soon be taller and stronger than ever, unrecognizable from the plant that previously drooped and leaned over to the ground. So it is with summer. A welcome respite from the previous stress that weighs us down.