The Mountain Thymes

 It's a dark dreary overcast day with only a 16% chance of rain predicted.  The weather station says it's raining cats and dogs.  And it's correct! Back in my classroom days in Florida, when it felt like this with dark clouds and the sound of rain on the roof, I used to think how I would love to be sitting with a warm cup of tea and a good book instead of managing a classroom full of energetic students.  I had been out on the porch when the this 16% chance of rain opened up and it brought the classroom image back to my memory. So I'm making my cup of tea to return to the porch and enjoy the peaceful rain.  In the last twenty minutes the weather station registered 0.54 inches and still raining and the wind has picked up. The temperature dropped from 79 to 70 degrees. My choice of teas for this dark feeling day is "Rosy Mood" with Damiana & Butterfly Pea Flowers, an uplifting tea that supports a good mood.  The tea bag even looks happy.  Since I drin...

 The floors need to be vacuumed.  Both bathrooms need to be cleaned.  Dishwasher is waiting to be emptied.  It's raining again and I can't go outside and play in the dirt.  Temperature is a comfortable 76.  So this is a good way to avoid unpleasant tasks.   Last week I used the pry bar to remove the rotted step board, pulled the crooked nails out of the porch wood, and bought a new 6' treated step board at Wilson's Supply.  They made a 6' cut from a warped 10' board that would sell and only charged me a couple of dollars.  I stained it and allowed it to dry for a few days before screwing it into its new home.     That step will darken as time goes by and it gets restained.  Eighteen years ago the whole house used to be that color.  I wasn't going to try and match it for one step.  I had another porch board replaced two years ago and it's darkened and beginning to blend in.   Last week when I was in...