Out and About after the Rains

I saw a radiant glow suddenly form around the velvety leaves of my African violet.  The plant was sitting on the shelf below the south window of the living room. 

Ahh!  The sun has returned, I thought.  

Too briefly, though, at least at that moment.  The glow quickly disappeared and the violet took on the same flat, one dimensional look as it had maintained through three dark and gloomy days.

Well, I guess the timid sun was just testing the waters, literally, to see if it was okay to come back and stay a while. 

After all, wasn't it just a few weeks ago that we had actually been lamenting TOO MUCH SUN and too much dry weather.  Maybe we hurt the sun's feelings when we complained. 

Well, yesterday was a Throwback day of sorts because it had been a LONG time since we'd experienced the feeling of how good it feels when a long stretch of inclement and dreary weather finally comes to an end, and that welcome sun returns to brighten up the landscape and our moods. 

Yesterday was such a day.  

The predicted high winds turned out to be about half as intense as expected, and, yes, much of the water around the house went into the ground, making the occasional trips outside pleasurable and exhilarating. 

We received a thorough scrubbing and much, much more, which, in some cases, has made headlines:  state of disaster here in Bonner County because of washed-out roads resulting from snow rapidly melting into temporary cascdes rushing off mountainsides. 

In some cases, during my drive to some of the areas north of Sandpoint, the temporary waterfalls created an idyllic image; in others, not so pretty. 

Dirty water filling up stream beds and rushing onto the flats, forming lakes and streams headed virtually every direction:  that was especially notable in the Grouse Creek area near McNalls.  

I'm wondering if a portion of that Grouse Creek bridge may have washed away because the northeast section seemed to be suspended in air. 

Back at home, doggies and horses, after being cooped up or inside or in their shelters outdoors, were feeling their oats and having a great time cavorting and playing in the dry, breezy air.  

And, yes, the sun did come back to form another, longer glow around that African violet.  

I didn't spend too much time admiring it because the beautiful and spit-shined North Idaho outdoors was calling, and I had a puppy to enjoy. 

Twas truly one of those North Idaho rewards of relief that the yuck stuff has gone away for a while and we can once again breath that fresh air and enjoy Mother Nature's creations. 

Happy Thursday. 

Two days ago those mountains below Schweitzer were covered with snow.  Then, warm temperatures quickly melted the snow and sent wild waters to the valley below. 

MY cone, kid!  Go find your own!

Sand Creek off from West Selle Road

Dozens of these lovely little waterfalls flowing to the road off the mountain below Schweitzer on North North Boyer Road, which is closed due to a washout. 

Don't think I've ever seen this much water flowing in Grouse Creek. 

Lots of flat land in McNallville covered with gushing streams and temporary waterfalls. 

Washout on Grouse Creek Road near McNall's. 

A special note:  I met a very nice man and his family the other day at the Pack River General Store.  They were having lunch with my longtime friends, the Goulette's. 

Turns out this gentleman, who originally hails from South Africa,  occasionally reads my blog, which is pretty remarkable.  

He is blind.  

He told me he has a program that reads the blog aloud to him---in a rather speedy manner, no less.  

He also told me it was okay to announce on my blog that I'd met a blind man from South Africa at the Pack River General Store.  

That, in itself, suggests a great story.  Maybe some day I'll learn more and share his story on this blog.