Spring Rain

Spring rain. Such an evocative phrase, isn't it? Calling to mind warmth and gentle moisture for the new plants, a turn from harsh winter to a less-hostile season.

Except at Blackrock.

Okay, not JUST at Blackrock, but spring rains in general here are not really particularly pleasant. They're . . . cold. And often mixed with some form of frozen precipitation. They create one hell of a mess in the form of mud slicks everywhere that then get tracked into the house, and they do their best to flood the cellar.

Plus, rain soaks the woodpile and makes the fire very cranky. To say nothing of the surly chickens. Chickens don't really dig cold rain, in case you were wondering. Neither do the sheep--it's the one weather that's really pretty bad for them, because it can penetrate their wool and make them cold. The dogs hate it, too, and spend all day when it rains lurking around doors and trying to sneak inside to leave muddy paw prints everywhere.

So in sum, spring rain kind of sucks and every living thing on the property kind of hates it.

It's raining today. But I bet you guessed that.