It's been a time, so just a note in case you think we're asleep at the switch down here. It stopped raining on Sept 29th last year, we went 200 days without a drop. Then in April we got a shower, just to test the system I guess? Then another 40 days dry, and I do mean DRY. But lately we were beginning to see the first promise of the rainy season, big puffy clouds coming at us from the ENE and even though we didn't get any rain it was nice to dream and hope.

Late yesterday while my gardener was pumping my $$$ out to water the jungle there was this loud noise? - then again and suddenly it began to rain, where did that come from? So, the annual Montezuma two step rain dance scramble begins (well, sort of, you get the idea). All the leaks that leak have to be remembered, you close windows, put out soaker towels, but it was fun - well, until I head an explosion in the distance about 30 milliseconds before the lights went out. Ah, glad to see the CFE is on track for another year of bad, and no, service which is basically a thumb in both eyes because our rates went up another 11% this year - for what?

Am I complaining? - naw, just reporting the obvious. But, the rain was nice, almost half an inch, the giant sucking sound was the ground absorbing every smidgen of agua almost instantly and this morning all that was left was to reset all the timers and clocks, download and rebuild weather station db's, hang wet soaker towels out to dry, collect fallen palm fronds and put the door mats back out - which I did remember to take in before the conflagration started. All in all a good practice session for the season. The rain forecasters in Guad say some rain on the 9th, season starts on the 11th, of course they missed last night for the most part, but they try, and try, and try?

Otherwise this is the "Spring cleaning" season, dusting has been a fools errand as the construction next door continues, the dusty roads at both ends of the estate provide a nice coating of everything flat and even vertical. But, the owner is coming on the 16th for a short visit, so it's the driving force to get me off dead center to get things moving. Fortunately the driving rain last night washed some of the spider webs off the N side of the house, so powerwashing that will be easier. Something about being up 10' on a ladder with a powerwashing wand in your hand causes me to procrastinate? But, has to be done.

A personal request:

The following is a special request, more personal than most things I write about. My niece Katie joined the Guad to go back to school to get her Masters, but was called to duty. She will be leaving for Afghanistan almost as I write this. Her destination is classified, but from indications it will be in the North of the country. Her Mother received a call from her on Memorial Day saying she was being fitted with body armor and camo in preparation for deployment. Initially she was to drive ammo trucks, but now has been assigned as a top gunner on one.

This is a young lady I remember from family reunions, one who earned her scholarships to college from sports, one raised as all girls are, to love, to give and nurture life, not to have to decide to take life; even in the name of our country. I guess the older I get the less I understand why this has to happen to the best, the youngest and most promising of our children. Why don't they send us old guys who have little more to contribute to life?

Please think of Katie and pray for her safe return and for the safe return of all those who serve us to protect the America we know and love.

In closing I'm reminded by the following which hangs on my wall: