Driving in the rain...

A strange experience it is to drive it a blinding rain after many months of drought. Texas has been in drought conditions for some time, and to a truly scary degree. In Houston, in May, we should not be seeing trees withering and grass turning brown - which is what happens when you don't have an irrigation system. Granted, many areas and personal lawns do have that, but we do not on our little corner of real estate.

However, back to the original topic. This past Thursday included a trip to San Marcos, a friendly, college town gateway to the Hill Country of Texas - a life-style mecca in our state. Drier climate, rolling hills, lakes, scenic roadways, clear cold spring fed rivers and a suggestion of a more relaxed and laid-back Bubba-on-the-porch-strumming-a-guitar-to-a-rollicking-Texas-Swing-sort-of -tune kind of place. If you are a native Texan especially, you dream of living in the Hill Country.

Once again, back to the rain. I happened to be almost half-way to San Marcos when I drove under a massively black front cloud - the kind that turns day to night. On the other side, buckets of rain started falling, slowing the normal 80 mph speeds on the interstate to a crawling 40 mph, wipers going full blast and even then seeing only the tailights of the car in front of you and the occasional sparkly lane dividing cleats. It had been so long since I had driven in a rain like that, I could feel my neck and the back of my head tighten into a vise. I have to say, the trip takes much longer at 40 than at 70 (Yes, I do follow the speed limit...It's just easier than having to worry.)

I did not begrudge to difficulty of the drive, though. What a blessing to have had that downpour to dust off the world an give it a desperately needed drink. We can hope for more!