Muddy Flood

When I got home from work today, it wasn't even raining, but it started downpouring a little while later. Now, outside of my window, I have this going on:

I've lived in this house since November, 1999, and this is only the second time this has happened. It isn't much of a flood as floods go - I'm not in any danger here, it's not even coming up on the lawn, much less into my house - but it's pretty messy and dramatic for this house. I guess I'm lucky that I can look at all that muddy water running down out of the field and think how cool it is, instead of having to see it as a reason to worry about my house and myself and my animals. It is pretty freaking neat, though.

Also going on in my life right now, there is work, work and more work. I am back to my full-time job this week, and it is keeping me busy just about every minute of every day so far, and in addition I am also beginning to work on an editing job for my good friend Sally (Hi Sally!), so my evenings are full of work, too, and this weekend will be as well, because I want to get the job done before the 4th. I plan on enjoying the 4th to the fullest. For most people here in the states, the 4th is just a random day off, but it's my favorite holiday, and here is why.

First: I spend the whole day with my sister and as much of her family that is around. Second: we go to the green in Hamilton in the morning (a green is basically a town square, for those unfamiliar with the term - a large grassy area for public use) and look at all the stuff that is set up there for sale. There are plants and veggies/fruit, and lots of crafts, as well as a few different kinds of food tents. Third: after we walk around the green, we stand on the side of the road and watch the parade. I love parades - I think I inherited that from my mother and grandmother. They both loved them too, so I come by it honestly. Fourth: after the parade, we go back to my sister's house, and hang out and have a barbecue. Always a fun time. Fifth: if they aren't rained out, there are fireworks to go to that night, and they are always cool. And sixth: it's a great family day, in the summer, so the weather is guaranteed not to be snowy and horrible (although it's not guaranteed to be hot or even warm), and best of all there isn't the pressure of gift buying that there is at Christmas. See? There you have six reasons why it is my favorite holiday.

And I didn't even plan on writing that, but I guess it's what was in my head. And now I'm out of here. I'm going to go back to listening to the rain and watching the dirty water washing down my road (although it's already receding, just since I have been writing this). I hope you are all having great Tuesday nights.