Rain for the sake of rain

Last night we had what I consider our first spring rain. Gentle and soft. You could only hear it if you were still and listened carefully. 

When it rains in the winter, I'm usually focused elsewhere: It's snowing in the mountains. How soon can I get there?? Logistics, logistics. Gotta go!

But I know it's the end of one season and the beginning of another because last night I loved the rain just for being rain, right here at home. Where it keeps the hills bright green a little longer before they turn to gold for the summer.

And it makes the flowers grow.

When I looked at pictures my brother emailed of his family skiing this past weekend, my feet still itched to feel the snow beneath them, but my mind is sort of looking forward to letting go of the constant jonesing for the white stuff. Racks are off the car, skis are in the closet. There's hiking, camping, gardening, and work on the house to be done. 

But, you know, we really should be booking our Alta reservations for next year about now. . . .