It feels like fall this week on the Triple F Ranch. I heard at the doctor's office that there is a chance of rain, and although the sky is pale blue with wisps of cirrus clouds, I hope rain will come. The older gentleman adjacent to me at Mercy Clinic speaking with a woman about the weather said he hopes it won't come here like in Texas, where they are apparently dealing with rain that comes too hard and fast for the dry earth to absorb. She agreed. And suggested about three days of soft steady rainfall is what we need.

I am now on my deck. Two Boston terriers sit on their haunches and stare up at one of the oak trees I built my deck around. They are bothered. I get up to see by what and find nothing. Their behavior denotes the presence of something sinister--a cat, or squirrel--they must guard us from, that must be contained in the tree or coaxed down and chased away. A malevolent presence. But I cannot see anything. I tell them the intrusion has either moved on or now wears an invisibility cloak, and at any rate, is no longer their concern. They stare a while longer and circle the trees to make sure before joining me. I am back in a chair with my feet up, and they are sprawled out on the wood beneath.

I like to sit here........

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