Rain rain rain rain rain rain

When I lived in the Midwest a rainy day was so common that I didn't remark on it.  We just waited for it to clear up.

Here in California the rain only happens a handful of days a year, less since the seasons are changing so rapidly.

When we planted our orchard it bloomed starting in mid-March. We usually pruned in mid-February.

Once the holidays pass we have to prune right away, as the same trees now bloom in mid-February. 

In 15 years, the weather has changed enough so the blooming happens a full month earlier.

We used to use about 2 cords of wood a winter here (Michigan cords = 4x4x8 feet of stacked, split wood).

Now we burn about half that much. Of course a California cord is now figured as 4x2x8 feet, too.

The rain today is steady, drenching. A quiet descends as all we can hear is the raindrops, gusts of wind and the soft crackle of our woodstove.

The cats don't think much of the rain. They run from door to door, asking to be let out into the world they know, the one that is dry and warm.  Each door reveals the same wet world, they meow and turn away, then try another door.

Traffic at our Club is up this weekend as spring break has started. Today I activated an account for a member that has been dormant for two years.  Amazing -- welcome back to the barn!