Monday, July 22, 2013

In the heartland

About a half mile as the crow flies from my front door,
The trail where the trains once rode the rails.
With a city in the distance and fog draping the horizon,
Morning comes to a lone runner.
Bales of hay along the creek, 
Reminding me of where I live.
In the heartland.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Somewhere Over the Rainbow........


We haven't any rain here in Omaha since the first of July. There was the possibility of a storm today but by 6pm, it looked as though it had passed us by. Seemingly out of nowhere, the sky started to turn dark and the clouds began the swirl. In a matter of minutes we were in the midst of a hot summer downpour, complete with a dash of light hail. I was sitting on our deck which looks over the horizon to the southeast when the rain began. There is an alcove near our kitchen deck doors that is covered by the roof and it is a good place to sit during a storm. I had a couple of brats on the grill (also under cover) when I noticed the rainbow.  I summoned Georgette and we both grabbed cameras, or shall I say iPhones,  and captured some photos.

I don"t remember the last time I saw a rainbow this big. It was an incredible sight. A sigh of optimism. A sign of hope. I felt like a little child who sees the rainbow for the first time. I felt encouraged and I don't much care about the scientific explanation for how the rainbow comes to be. I would rather just be in awe of  it.

We needed the rain and it was a wonderful surprise. That the rain came with a giant rainbow was a blessing.