April Showers

Holy smokes!
Another day of rain in the Ozarks.
The atmospheric river is dumping its water over the Midwest. One weather source said that by the end of the weekend we will have received four months of average rainfall this first week of April. Flood warnings and flash flood warnings are active for much of the area around here.   
Wow!

In spite of the weather, I made it out into the world for a few people gatherings this week -- actually three nights in a row! 
Wednesday night, monthly small group dinner
Thursday night, midweek church gathering at Mother's Brewery
Friday night, shelter volunteer appreciation dinner
Similar to the rain, that's about four months' worth of public exposure in the first week of April!
I think I've earned a few days of quiet solitude!

I heard a line the other day -- There are friends that you take to a ballgame and there are friends that you talk about life with. 
The conversations at the different group gatherings were different -- from small talk to deeper topics of life, death, and perspective. Each was enjoyable in its own way, and each took varying amounts of energy to make it through the respective exposure. 
All-in-all, not a bad week.

And like the early rain showers bringing later blossoms and growth in the local flora, maybe the people exposure will also bring about some type of growth. I'm not certain of that, but I will try to remain positive. It is interesting that I feel less and less like making the effort to be with people, but usually don't mind the experience as it actually happens.

Sometimes I think that maybe I need some counseling, but then my inner voice says, "Maybe people need to stop being such a$$holes!"
I'm sure that's an over simplification. I don't think that all people are jerks, but I do think that most people are a chore for me to be around for very much time. 

When it comes right down to living in the moment -- I have a pretty good life. 
Today's rains are kind of restful. There isn't a lot of activity in nature as much of the wildlife is also seeking shelter from the rain and cool temperature. If we pay attention to nature, we might also use today to tend to our nests and dens (homes) and then to rest for the work that will come after the rains cease.

Be well, my friends,
John