As we pulled out of the parking lot in Saint Joseph at nine-thirty last night, the temperature reading was ninety-five. When we went to bed, faint traces of lightning played across the walls. We hoped that the predicted fifty percent chance of rain might bring a good shower during the night. At some point, I heard the sound of thunder, barely loud enough to wake me from my sleep but not close enough to really rouse me.

When I did get out of bed this morning, I went to the window to see if it had rained. The color of the bare dirt along the new retaining wall showed clearly that it had not, at least not enough to darken the ground. Around here, if the ground didn’t get wet enough to change color, it didn’t rain, not really.

But we do have a nice breeze out of the north and the temperature is twenty degrees cooler than it was eight hours earlier and we now have four lovely lavender blooms on the Rose of Sharon Tree. The hostas are blooming along the north side of the house and the roses are nearing their second full flush of the season. The bloom pods of the Asian Lilies are beginning to show a hint of color. The pasture is still green and growing, in spite of this recent heat and lack of rain.

Even when we have not received all that we have desired, there is reason for thanks. A grateful heart sees more good in a single glance than a bitter one sees in a lifetime.

H. Arnett
7/9/13