Rain!

We have been really dry here, to the point that the grass has been crunchy for the last three weeks. This evening though, the sky darkened as heavy clouds rolled in and a look at the radar showed us a storm was headed our way. Normally we do evening chores between 6:30 and 7:00 in the evening. But tonight we went out a little early. The bucks were happy to go in their house and eat their dinner, the chickens went to bed a little early too, well all except one younger hen, she had to be chased into the hen house so we could get them all shut up for the evening.

The does were gathered impatiently at the gate. They knew the rain was coming and true to the goat code, they are convinced that wild water (like rain and any other water not safely contained in bucket) will permanently damage them. They were happy to eat and settle down in their freshly bedded stalls (spoiled girls).

We all sat outside after the animals were all settled and watched the storm come in. The wind really picked up and leaves were blowing all over the place, kicked up off the ground and fluttering down from the trees. It was beautiful to see all the bright fall trees against the deep grey of the clouds. The kids had fun seeing how many leaves they could hit with their bats before the leaves could hit the ground.

The first rumble of thunder was accompanied by big,fat, drops of rain and we all headed in. Soon after everyone was in the house, the sky opened up and rain beautiful rain, began to fall in earnest. As I sit here and type this, the sound and smell of rain through the open (yes open) windows is absolutely wonderful. I can almost here the trees and the ground sighing with relief.