One month we have been here

Date: 2-9-14

Location: Kenney Grove Park, Fillmore, CA

Outside: 64 degrees on its way to 68 - or could we wish for 70?

Hubby is: reading in the recliner, enjoying his day off after a week of hard work

Things we like about living here: palm trees, mountains surrounding us, less than an hour to the ocean, being so close to town with lots of Mexican restaurants and markets, Greek food, a couple decent laundromats, several fast food places and a dozen donut shops!

Makes me sad: The bone-dry thirsty land across the region

Surprises: 

• Our valley is a green oasis in the midst of a drought-ridden American Southwest.
• HUGE jade plants and geraniums just outside our door and all kinds of cacti
• Being surrounded by Spanish everywhere.

...

One month it is.

A month is long enough to discover some things.

A month is long enough to bump up against irritations and annoyances and get really tired of less than convenient circumstances. Fortunately, there have been very few of those and we have been able to adjust and smooth out the wrinkles.

A month is also long enough to get a sense of whether you're going to be okay for the long haul. We are glad that we feel at home here - content and comfortable in our setting and optimistic about staying here for a few more months.

　

Thankful Thursday: RAIN!

It is raining!!!

Since we arrived here almost a month ago I have been so sad about the bone-dry conditions everywhere around - well, except for where hard-earned dollars pay for precious water to irrigate the fruit groves. I just keep hoping for rain. Today seemed like the first good chance of it. When I was out walking this morning, I met an older gentleman on his walk. We did the usual greetings about the beautiful day and that it looked like it might rain and how we hoped for that.

Sure enough; it is raining. I mean, it is actually raining. Not just misty but real rain that we can actually see dropping from the sky. We can even hear it raining - which is a first.

It is so glorious to see the leaves all wet and drippy. Oh, that it would keep on coming. Enough to really make a difference. It would be so exciting to see actual water in the ditches. Wouldn't it be amazing if we can see the Sespe River with water where there is only stone and sand now?

...

And now it seems to be stopping.  So sad.  I guess we won't see any gushing rivers from this shower.   I will be thankful for what we get and I have no doubt that the parched ground will soak up every precious drop that falls.