Of Rain and the Lack of it

Every day, the water recedes from the land at Lake Cheston.  Deer tracks dimple mud where lilies used to grow and dragonflies emerged.  Tuesday, the yard man came to mow and kicked up so much dust I felt transported to some 1950s TV western.  I half-expected a horse and rider to appear through the swirling cloud.

According to the Sewanee Mountain Messenger, we have received only 17 inches of rain so far this year.  One lakes reserved for our water are down six feet and two respectively  The University forestry and geology lab coordinator is quoted as saying, "This is not the driest year on record, but we are on track for perhaps the driest year yet."

Dry is dry, and Sewanee is dry. 

The evening's dramatic, short storm brought an hour's relief, but I long for those steady drenching rains I remember from childhood, which teased earthen scents through the air like a good perfume and pattered and splashed just beyond the window screen.

Come on, rain!  I've missed you!