PETRICHOR. . . . . . .

A word you may be familiar with.
A new word for me . . . and one I really like.
PETRICHOR

  From the Greek petra - stone

and ichor - the fluid which was said to flow through

the veins of the gods in mythology.

One of summer's most refreshing sensations is the the feel of cool air as a storm

 rolls in after a spell of humid weather.

 When fat raindrops hit the parched earth, a distinctive scent called 'petrichor' is

 produced. An earthy smell produced by organic compounds, and both humans and

 animals find it particularly attractive.

Yesterday we had a long awaited rain - heavy lasting rain with booming thunder, 

lightning, water filled the streets, huge raindrops danced on the flat and small rivers

 rolled down the slopes.  

Later today, and perhaps all through the weekend, there will be more storms.

August is here, summer heat builds, dark clouds roll in mid-afternoon.

Yesterday I walked, outside, I breathed the air and could smell it 

through the dampness, heady, earthy. . . . . . . . petrichor! 

Best friends come in all shapes and sizes. . . . . . . . .

 It's not a hard place for a rest when you have a bunch of soft friends

 to share it with during a storm!

I'm taking care of Ms. Nala next door again. She's being a sweetie and I get to 

cuddle twice a day. She's not happy with the nightly thunderstorms we've been

 having. . . . . .neither am I. Ever since the big oak tree in her yard was hit by

 lightning last year, she apparently looks for a place to hide when the booms

 and flashes start. 

This morning I found her here with her puppy friends, sweet!
How do your dogs and cats behave in electrical storms?

Monday morning moments. . . . . .

Another frightening electrical storm at midnight brought us to the front door to watch

 a river rushing down the driveway taking some of the back garden with it!  

This summer's storms have been horrendous here, so much rain falling so fast,

 with thunder and lightening only angry gods could dispatch in the night.  

This morning is lovely with bright sunshine, even a wee bit cooler in the early hours.

The doe is back. Spying her under the fig tree, I grabbed the camera and watched her

 head toward my neighbor's tomatoes. I think she looks healthy but still no other 

family members seem to be with her.

Yesterday I shopped at LIDL and added this bunch of sunflowers to my basket. 
Five stems for $3.99, not bad. I liked that they were still somewhat closed. 
Added greenery from the garden, hosta leaves, variegated privet, a sprig
 of ivy - hopefully they will open fully and be pretty for the week ahead as 
I settle back into daily life after traveling.

New Jersey grown sunflowers.

Are you, like me, ready for Autumn?

I just hope it dries up soon - at least the trees should be

colorful this year as they start to change.

Shelter from the storm. . . . . . . . . .

Torrential rain, booming thunder, lightning illuminating the black skies.

All happened this morning around 10 AM as a bad storm passed through.

The dry garden is refreshed. 

The bird baths are overflowing. 

The robins are pecking at wriggling earthworms. 

The sun is now shining. 

It's so hot and humid.

I grabbed my camera when I noticed a titmouse sheltering from the storm

on the porch candolier.

Sorry, the photos taken through the steamy windows are somewhat blurred.

He/she came with a seed in its beak, probably from the feeder filled yesterday. 

Little birdie stayed on the front porch for the duration of the storm,

but after about 15 minutes dropped the seed, then spent 10 more minutes 

looking down at it. I missed seeing if it picked it up again before flying off when

the rain stopped. 

I love knowing the birds enjoy our front porch and must feel it is a safe shelter.