According to the Weather Underground Forecast, there is a 91% chance of rain this morning at 10:00 am. The percentage chance of rain isn’t quite a percentage chance of rain at any given place. Rather, it is based on a mathematical computation involving the confidence of the forecaster and the area where rain might fall. A 91% chance of rain means that there is a 91% chance that rain will fall somewhere in the forecast area. If there is a 100% chance that 9% of the area will receive rain, the forecast sticks. Rarely is it the other way around (a 91% chance that 100% of the area will see rain).

Anyway, the forecast calls for light rain to begin in our area sometime this morning. Then the rain is forecast to settle in, with rain showers falling for the next 10 days at least. The locals call it the rainy season, and it is delayed this year, coming later than usual. The start of the rainy season is a bit of a trigger for yard work. The rains signal time to clean out the flower beds, trim the bushes, and prepare the garden for winter. Some of the yard chores are different here than other places where we have lived. For example, the return of the rains will quickly green up our lawn, which has been dormant since mid-summer. That means that I haven’t had to mow my lawn very often for a few months. I remember from last winter that I got to mow the lawn all winter long. It isn’t much of a chore here, because we have a very small lawn. The green grass, however, will be welcome.

Our dahlias are still blooming, but have slowed quite a bit. They will continue to produce a few blossoms until we get a good freeze. One the plants brown, it will be time to dig up the tubers, clean them off, and store them in vermiculite until next spring. Hopefully, we’ll have tubers that we can divide so that we’ll be able to plant even more dahlias in the spring. We certainly had success with the blossoms, so signs are good that we’ll have even more next year. I’m planning to extend the area where I plant them.

I don’t have my rainwater collection system installed, and there is a rain downspout on the barn at the farm that needs to be repaired. I’ve had months to get those chores done, but have found other things to keep me busy. I am pleased every time I see the woodshed at the farm filled to the brim with firewood. I invested some time in the summer squaring up and rebuilding the shed. It should keep the firewood dry and ready to warm the old farmhouse.

I have a new raincoat and rain pants to try out once the rainy season sets in. I bought them in the early summer as a kind of birthday present for myself, but we haven’t had much rain since then. A good rain jacket is a must in this area. My winter parka won’t see much use, and lots of folks around here don't even own such a garment, but I can’t get myself to give up that warm coat. Even if we don’t see much snow, we live close to mountains where good winter clothing is a must.

I drove down to Portland, OR, Wednesday afternoon and helped my sister with a move. I got back last evening. Fortunately, her son and his friend helped with the heavy lifting and moving furniture, because I didn’t spend too many hours helping with the move. I did, however, haul a load of bookcases that helped her with storage. What I did get was a bit of windshield time. Two days of doing 300 miles per day by myself gave me some time to think. Driving that distance takes longer here than was the case in South Dakota, because I had to drive through both Seattle WA and Portland OR traffic. Anyway the time driving gave me time to think. Part of the time, I was thinking about what I’ll be saying in worship on Sunday. I’ve long enjoyed a bit of time by myself to sort out my thoughts and organize my ideas.

Part of the time, however, I just let my mind wander. I drove through a few sprinkles and noticed that it is about time to invest in new windshield wiper blades. Living in rainy country I need to replace them more often than was the case when we lived in South Dakota. It is a bit counter-intuitive since it is the sunlight that breaks down the rubber in the blades. However, windshield wiper blades are used a lot more often around here and there are times when they will be on for an entire trip. That wasn’t the case yesterday and the day before, but I didn’t know why I needed so many settings on the variable windshield wipers until I moved out here. Back in South Dakota, on, off, and interval were enough settings. Here I use every setting available on the switch and there are days when I use every one in a 25 mile trip.

I’ve lived most of my life in places where it doesn’t rain very often. I’ve learned not to complain about the rain. It is a blessing. Of course, ranchers like to complain that the rain always comes at the wrong time, but they appreciate the rain as much as anyone else. One of the things that has had me longing for rain for the last week has been the smoky skies. Fires in eastern Washington have left our area with some of the worst air quality in the nation. The local news channels all were warning us to wear face masks when we go outside and showing drone footage of smoky skies. It was a bit better yesterday and the forecast is for our air quality to return with the rains today.

Let’s see - new windshield wiper blades, repair the down spout on the barn, run down the parts for the rainwater collection system - I’ve got plenty of items on my list. At least so far I don’t have any roof to repair. Life is good.