7) Raising Llama's

Rain is a magnificent miracle. This is the first time it's rained for more than a few minutes since I've been in Minnesota. The sky is grayer than I've seen in 10 years. In California, everyday was the same. The meteorologist would claim 7 days, varying degrees of nice. Possible clouds, mostly sunny, and a high of 72. Here, I've seen rainbows from horizon to horizon, low dark clouds looming over us like monsters threatening moisture, but not following through. The sun peeks through, creating spots of light and dark across the freshly cut corn fields, and an occasional thunderstorm might break through just for an hour or so.

A few days ago was my first cold night. The temperature came down to 27 degrees. For early September, I guess that's some kind of record. The next morning when I took Gracie out for her first relief of the day, the ground was white, not from snow, but frost. Everything had frozen solid overnight. I haven't seen many seasons in the last 10 years. Trees in California don't even lose their leaves.

Today, giant puddles collect on our unlandscaped driveway, and Gracie is learning to stop in the mudroom to get wiped down before charging the house. The oak trees out my window look sad and droopy. Their leaves are on the verge of turning color, but none have made up their mind completely whether or not they should.

It looks to be a slow relaxing day after weeks of the stresses of contractors coming in and out. The gas man, the electricians, the handyman, the general contractor, the men who laid the bricks, the cable guy, the phone/DSL guy, and more electricians. I don't think anyone is coming for the rest of the day, and that means I can read my library books. I love picking out books to read. Even if I simply skim through them, it's still a stress reliever for me. My choice in literature has made a drastic turn since the move. I used to come home with books about how to eat better, exercise in small spaces, understanding psychology, and apartment storage techniques. The subjects of books I've chosen lately are a testimony to my change here. Bird dog training, training a hunting dog, herb gardening, gardening in cold climates, how to raise chickens, how to raise llamas, and a Writer's Market book. The irony is, would I have ever looked for a book on raising llamas in Orange County? I would have tripped over my feet laughing at the thought of it.

Deep down inside I have been yearning and aching for a home in the country. Blessings happen in the most dire of circumstances. I thought I was losing a family by coming up here, when in fact I am gaining the family I once lost.