Thanks, Janisse! It really is. Rain is the sound of hope in the high desert. And it cracks open my heart, letting the love flow through my grief for this world. Love is humans' superpower, I think!
Sometimes I wonder how much of our perception is humanity really being worse than usual, and how much is the fact that the news we get is so focused on selling sensation.
A delightful post. Thank you. I too am feeling the downward spiral of so much bad news - wars, hatred, political dysfunction, climate and biodiversity crises, drought… Rain, especially the female kind of rain you describe, is such a gift - to the land and to our weary minds.
It's truly such a fraught time, and I think the only thing that keeps me hopeful and sane is my connection to this land. So the rain really lifted my spirits. May blessings of that sort come your way too!
Dear Craig, What a gift to "hear" your voice in this space. I think what keeps me hopeful is the resilience that this land teaches over and over. I feel like whenever I hit bottom, the land reminds me that all is not lost. Blessings and a hug to you.
Wonderful description of how the state of the world often feels ( I've cut back on listening/reading news significantly) My spiritual practice is about lessening my own judgementalism to not contribute to the negativity and divisiveness.
And oh, the gift of lush female rain. Gorgeous to read & experience. Thank you.
Thank you, friend! I want a news source that includes the good things that happen in the world every day, but it seems as if news outlets don't believe that news will sell. Sigh. I like your spiritual practice of working on not contributing to the general air of negativity and divisiveness by lessening how judgmental we can be. That's an insightful path to follow. Hugs to you!
Thank you, Jill! I hope it's enough to tide us through the traditionally hot and dry fore-summer in June and early July, until the summer monsoons arrive (or used to arrive). Seeing the grasses and wildflowers respond so quickly really does give me hope.
There is nothing like a desert rain, whether it is male or female, it makes one realize that one is alive and that nature can heal. I well know the dark moods- I have had them lately as well, but a rain can lessen them.
Today no rain, but the wind blew whitecaps on the Sound and the smell of the sea, another great scent, was there.
Rain definitely makes a difference for all who live in the desert. For me, rain pattering on the roof and the wave of petrichor fragrance really does raise my mood and remind me that it is possible to retain active hope, the kind of hope that does something positive, even in dark times. I'm glad you have the smell of the sound there. It's so full of life, despite all!
I moved to Santa Fe when I was close to 50 yrs old and had lived in the Midwest until then. In Chicagoland we moaned and groaned when it rained, scurrying for shelter. I was amazed at the desert people who would joyfully go out without even a raincoat!... but soon I too could relish the cooling moist drops. I was fortunate to have a young ten year old neighbor who encouraged me to drive us up Artist's Way far enough to see the storms roll in and be actually be thrilled to watch the lightning strikes promising a true downfall!
What a great memory, Sue! And how lucky your ten-year-old neighbor was to have you to adventure up in the hills with them to watch the thunderstorms built and walk toward you on legs of lightning. What a joy!
"A female rain, the Navajos call this, widespread and soaking, not the hard “male rains” that walk in on legs of lightning and pound the dusty soil into muddy torrents." Loved this! Celebrating that which is life - water. Your written words offered beautiful images and heartfelt joy. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Sue! Today we're headed for a high of 88 degrees F, tomorrow, 92 degrees. But the joy of that rain lingers, and the high desert is just a touch greener again.
There is something spiritually awakening by rain in the desert that only desert dwellers can appreciate. I love that one hardly ever spies a New Mexican with an umbrella!
"Spiritually awakening" is a great way to describe how rain in the desert makes us feel. It is a miracle, a blessing, a true awakening of joy and life. The only umbrellas I ever see here are visitors or people using them as sunshades, a very reasonable thing. ;)
Happy for your area getting rain! I wish there was a way for S.E. Texas to give you some of our surplus! It has been so humid here (flooding and heat index as high as 112)
It seems that our world, both politically and environmentally, has become one of extremes; I hope we can all work together, to find a moderate soft landing!
I think that crises can bring us together, and it's up to each of us to take the steps we can to live with love in a way that inspires our families, friends and communities. Change begins with each of us, and it happens in little steps and small actions, not huge ones....
Wonderful that the rain came.
Thanks, Janisse! It really is. Rain is the sound of hope in the high desert. And it cracks open my heart, letting the love flow through my grief for this world. Love is humans' superpower, I think!
“Female rain” kind and life sustaining. Glad the world is in better balance for a while.
And may that "better balance" apply to todo el mundo, not just my high-desert landscape. <3
And of course, yes, I have to sadly agree—humanity seems to be in a terrible place.
Sometimes I wonder how much of our perception is humanity really being worse than usual, and how much is the fact that the news we get is so focused on selling sensation.
Hallelujah, rain!!
You know what it feels like when rain comes to this high desert!
So refreshing!!
Literally lifesaving for the high-desert plants in the wild landscape around me.
A delightful post. Thank you. I too am feeling the downward spiral of so much bad news - wars, hatred, political dysfunction, climate and biodiversity crises, drought… Rain, especially the female kind of rain you describe, is such a gift - to the land and to our weary minds.
It's truly such a fraught time, and I think the only thing that keeps me hopeful and sane is my connection to this land. So the rain really lifted my spirits. May blessings of that sort come your way too!
Such a beautiful post. Thank you for this!
You are so welcome, Cherie, and thank you!
Wasn't it wonderful?! Lots of precipitation here in Española as well... grateful for the moisture.
It was truly wonderful, Maia, and I'm glad Española got a good dose of moisture too. Such a relief for us all.
Blessings on the rain and on your hopefulness.
Dear Craig, What a gift to "hear" your voice in this space. I think what keeps me hopeful is the resilience that this land teaches over and over. I feel like whenever I hit bottom, the land reminds me that all is not lost. Blessings and a hug to you.
Beautiful! I could truly smell it. Brought back memories of my one rainy visit to Santa Fe. 🥰
Thank you! What a gift that visit must have been! Blessings.
Wonderful description of how the state of the world often feels ( I've cut back on listening/reading news significantly) My spiritual practice is about lessening my own judgementalism to not contribute to the negativity and divisiveness.
And oh, the gift of lush female rain. Gorgeous to read & experience. Thank you.
Thank you, friend! I want a news source that includes the good things that happen in the world every day, but it seems as if news outlets don't believe that news will sell. Sigh. I like your spiritual practice of working on not contributing to the general air of negativity and divisiveness by lessening how judgmental we can be. That's an insightful path to follow. Hugs to you!
Rain at last! And what a spring washing of bright colors.
Thank you, Jill! I hope it's enough to tide us through the traditionally hot and dry fore-summer in June and early July, until the summer monsoons arrive (or used to arrive). Seeing the grasses and wildflowers respond so quickly really does give me hope.
There is nothing like a desert rain, whether it is male or female, it makes one realize that one is alive and that nature can heal. I well know the dark moods- I have had them lately as well, but a rain can lessen them.
Today no rain, but the wind blew whitecaps on the Sound and the smell of the sea, another great scent, was there.
Rain definitely makes a difference for all who live in the desert. For me, rain pattering on the roof and the wave of petrichor fragrance really does raise my mood and remind me that it is possible to retain active hope, the kind of hope that does something positive, even in dark times. I'm glad you have the smell of the sound there. It's so full of life, despite all!
I moved to Santa Fe when I was close to 50 yrs old and had lived in the Midwest until then. In Chicagoland we moaned and groaned when it rained, scurrying for shelter. I was amazed at the desert people who would joyfully go out without even a raincoat!... but soon I too could relish the cooling moist drops. I was fortunate to have a young ten year old neighbor who encouraged me to drive us up Artist's Way far enough to see the storms roll in and be actually be thrilled to watch the lightning strikes promising a true downfall!
What a great memory, Sue! And how lucky your ten-year-old neighbor was to have you to adventure up in the hills with them to watch the thunderstorms built and walk toward you on legs of lightning. What a joy!
I thought so too!
"A female rain, the Navajos call this, widespread and soaking, not the hard “male rains” that walk in on legs of lightning and pound the dusty soil into muddy torrents." Loved this! Celebrating that which is life - water. Your written words offered beautiful images and heartfelt joy. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Sue! Today we're headed for a high of 88 degrees F, tomorrow, 92 degrees. But the joy of that rain lingers, and the high desert is just a touch greener again.
There is something spiritually awakening by rain in the desert that only desert dwellers can appreciate. I love that one hardly ever spies a New Mexican with an umbrella!
"Spiritually awakening" is a great way to describe how rain in the desert makes us feel. It is a miracle, a blessing, a true awakening of joy and life. The only umbrellas I ever see here are visitors or people using them as sunshades, a very reasonable thing. ;)
Happy for your area getting rain! I wish there was a way for S.E. Texas to give you some of our surplus! It has been so humid here (flooding and heat index as high as 112)
It seems that our world, both politically and environmentally, has become one of extremes; I hope we can all work together, to find a moderate soft landing!
I think that crises can bring us together, and it's up to each of us to take the steps we can to live with love in a way that inspires our families, friends and communities. Change begins with each of us, and it happens in little steps and small actions, not huge ones....