Wordless Wednesday: Rusty Old Saws

Photos should have fragrance

I wish I could send the way it smelled when I stepped out the front door this morning.

The rain came, for a while, last night and kissed the earth with its moistness. We will take any amount we can get. This has been a desperate summer.  California is having a drought and even though it has happen before, it's always scary. We are at war with the powers that control and use water. We are conserving like crazy. It's even a status symbol to have a dirty car here, because you can show others how you don't even wash your car because that would be a frivilous use of water. I think it's an excuse for some folks who never washed their cars anyway... but it's another way to cut down on water useage.
This morning was so beautiful.

I walked out to the edge of the garden and just stood there... breathing in the wonderful combination of moist earth, cold air, Oaks, Manzanita, Toyon and my garden... the blend of fragrance, of place, of home.

I had a cataract removed last week and a new lens put in its place. Amazing what can be done. I mention this only so that I can tell you what a gift it is to be able to see the fog settle into the Mokelumne River canyon instead of remaining in my eye. The surgery took the fog away and now I can see my surroundings, drive at night and not mistake a road sign for a person. It's wonderful. My life, for a few weeks, will be about eye drops, not leaning over or lifting heavy things, and not coughing. But, I'm here to say that if you need this kind of surgery... don't hesitate. It's very easy and the results are astounding.

I've been walking. Every time I go for a walk, I look for some fuzzy dark movement in the corner of my eye. The Tarantulas should be moving around. It's their time to walk the earth looking for a mate, but over the years there have been less and less of them. I've looked everywhere... In the crevasses...the holes...

In the grassy ridge lines...

Among the garden rocks...

I've not found one Tarantula... anywhere. This is the second year without a sighting. This is sad.  "I find them to be fascinating creatures." she says... (Miss Arachnophobia). But these big, fuzzy spiders are different. They stay outside, for one thing. They don't sit in the bathtub... waiting for you... or go "Boo!" at you from the corners of your bedroom. They are upfront about their purpose in life and don't care about humans very much.
 I miss them.
Well, time to go drop more DROPS in my eye and fix some lunch. Take care.