OFFICIALLY SICK OF SUMMER

It happens around the end of August/first of September, every year. One day I'm fine, the next I've suddenly had my fill of Texas' searing summer. Getting away to the coolness of San Miguel was marvelous, but it made readjusting to the heat and drought when we came back even more difficult. When I checked the 10-day weather forecast last night and saw an endless string of temps in the upper 90s/low 100s, without a chance of rain in sight, I dropped my head into my hands and moaned "I just can't take it anymore!'

Therefore, I was more than a bit shocked when I stepped outside for my morning walk and found it to be much cooler than I was expecting. Not only that, there was a fresh dampness in the air and I just wanted to suck it in and fill my lungs with it! And then, oh my, I spotted this.

The Texas Sage, which I have been watching like a hawk for weeks, and which had not a single blossom on it yesterday, had suddenly burst into full bloom!

Now, some people swear it can predict rain, but I think it's safer to say it responds to shifts in barometric pressure. So, maybe it's still not going to rain this week, but something is afoot. And it gives me hope. Maybe autumn actually is on its way.