The Cleansing Rain

It started early in the morning. The gentle rattling of the rain on the roof and leaves outside made for a pleasant wake up. The big heavy clouds hanging low overhead, cold and grey from the rain.

In the distance, the clouds have broken up, revealing the distant mountainside and the whispy white clouds hugging them at their base. The air is crisp and clean, and despite the clouds still lingering above, no more chance for rain for the rest of the day.

While the rain has done minimal if any damage here in the local area, the Santa Barbara area got hit with mudslides on the bald slopes recently ravaged by wild fire. Sadly, five people have succumbed to the power of the mud flows, which is another reminder for us all to give nature plenty of room and to not get in its way.

Despite the tragedy, this first rain storm of the year is a welcome sight here in California, as drought is still a concern heading into this new year.