a new day

The back side of a heat wave (or wavelet, in this case) is always such a pleasure.

For a few days, we walk around slightly sticky with red faces. We don't want to go near the stove. It's an effort to get from work to car and from car to house. We shower before bed to remove the layers of stuck-on grime and to cool down for a few seconds. The down comforter is set aside, the wool blanket is relegated to the end of the bed.

Last night, a storm rolled through, complete with its own sound-and-light show. Koa and I stayed up watching it, she excited and entertained, as if at her own personal drive-in. Theo, who hates storms, got low to the ground as the rain started, then hid under the bed at the first sign of thunder. I think he went under my recliner after a while -- his favorite hiding spot. He can stay there for hours after a storm has passed us by, and we occasionally find his most-loved toys under there. It's his little guy-den.

And this morning, the sky is blue, the ground is shiny wet, and everything is washed clean. Things have cooled off considerably. Even the birds sound happier. We're back to ourselves, for a few more days at least.

Tomorrow, we're off to the Berkshires for a couple of concerts, a museum visit, and a play. I'm looking forward to no internet connectivity, low cellphone reception, and some relaxing hours on the back porch of our B&B. Should be nice.