I dreamed rain pelted our tin roof, hard, and thunder shook our windows.
Then I realized it wasn't a dream and, snuggling under my covers, dozed off again, grateful.
"Mom? Dad?" I woke again with a start, disoriented. Glanced at the clock. Midnight.
"We had a power outage. You probably need to set your phone alarms." It was TG on the other side of our door. "Oh, and the dogs want in."
I peaked out of my room. Lightning flashed just then, revealing the spectral silhouettes of two dogs peering in through the french doors.
Under cover of darkness, I snuck into the leaving room, snatched my phone from out of my purse and almost made it back to the bedroom before another flash of lightning cast its light on me like a deer caught in the glare of headlights.
I knew they could see me. I could imagine their big brown eyes gazing at me, pleading.
I hurried into the bedroom anyway, set my phone alarm and slipped back into bed.
Then the voice started. I tried to ignore it, but it persisted.
Max is old, it chastised. He's scared. You should let him into the laundry room. Poor puppy, what about his heart?
Okay, okay, shut UP! I told the voice. Rolling back out of bed, I stumbled downstairs, slipped outside and peeked around the corner at the doghouse. "Puppies?"
Belle poked her head out and tilted it that way she does. So cute.
"Come…" Before the words were out of my mouth, she was running toward me, Max right behind her.
And then they were in the laundry room. And then… they shook.
And shook.
And shook.
Ugh! I didn't think about them being wet!
I grabbed a couple of beach towels, ruffled the water out of their still wet fur, turned off the light and slipped out, grateful for the stained concrete floor in that room that hides dirt and is so easy to clean.
Finally, I crawled back into bed. I was wide awake by then and just lay there, listening to the glorious sound of rain on our roof for over an hour before finally drifting off…
This morning I walked in a world washed clean and fresh. I swear, there were green things popping out everywhere! Maybe the rain just washed the dust away, but it sure looked to me like someone had come along and dribbled green paint all through the Hollow.
Birds sang a little louder and a water puddle even waited for Max and Belle at the curve in the road. They were ecstatic!
Tom took a walk on our property this evening and reported we have a foot of water in the big pond and three feet in the little pond (the minnows have a reprieve!) It's just June… we have two hot, dry months ahead of us, so no doubt they'll eventually dry up again…
But today we'll be grateful for the blessing of this rain.
And also for this sunset…
Thank you, Lord!
If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God.
~Gilbert K. Chesterton
Long Hollow 
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