Dripping Gemstones

We waited for Joe to arrive for dinner at the clubhouse on Friday night. From Maryland, he drove through tornado conditions in Virginia and a very long back-up on I-85 south in North Carolina but he took the time to stop at a grocery store nearby to hand me a pretty bouquet of flowers. Very sweet!

The view from the 9th hole was cloudy. The rain kept us under cover and we were all happy about it!

We spent many hours at dinner. Our sides ached from laughing and drinks flowed generously until we faded before midnight in our family room. Michael, Joe, and John share the same stressful occupations and enjoy being “boys” for needed relaxation of golf and Casino Night fun.

Two days prior:

I took this photo just before “lights out” on Wednesday. Chloe & Bella wore him out. Mr. Biggins spent two nights and days here because Bam Bam was neutered on Wednesday. The day after his surgery, however, he was rushed to the emergency vet with respiratory complications that scared us! English Bulldogs are very special surgical patients. His distress was temporary and he arrived home a few hours later feeling great.

During the wee hours on Friday morning, I heard rain tap the windows. Rain? The soft sound was music to my ears and I returned to bed heaving a sigh of relief. I spent most of the day watching soaking rains we haven’t seen for months.

I listened to tiny splashes and did not feel the blistering sunshine.

Diamond drops from heaven. Tiny gemstones.

The cool air invites me to stalk birds and take long walks again.

I think I've lost my knack for photographing birds. She would not cooperate! Practice will help me get into the groove again.

What a voice! Loud and sweet. Sing to me!

I shouldn’t be able to see a Carolina Wren in this tree. The summer has sucked the life from it... It's been so harsh.

The green gems are still plentiful and active. Please stay for a while longer?

Now, I'll find a jacket, pull up some sweat pants and check on the pond fish. I can breathe again. The refreshment is almost too much to handle. I want to sleep for twelve hours or more.