Listen to the Rhythm of the Pouring Rain

The curtains of rain are so beautiful and comforting--as long as you're watching and listening from inside. When you're caught in a storm with no hood or umbrella, you can get so drenched that your eyes sting and burn, and it doesn't feel good when your clothes stick to you like a second skin--despite the steamy scene in "The Notebook" that shows otherwise.

I love the sound, and the lawn and garden are desperate for a drink. I also love that the seven casement windows in my sun-room office are fitted with screens. I switch out the storm windows and put in the screens when the weather warms up. I put two screens up so far, since it's only April. The concert sounds so lovely. I hope it lasts past midnight. Good night.

TCOY

1. Sought support, connected with others.
2. Nap.
3. Baked. Made H. an apple cake that I first made him in 1990. It contains very little sugar and he loves it. I made it to celebrate the publication of his article, "Can You Make Yourself Smarter?"  in tomorrow's NY Times Magazine. I also stirred up Gwyneth Paltrow's Fudgy Chocolate Brownies from My Father's Daughter. They call for spelt flour; brewed coffee; light agave nectar; soy milk; good-quality cocoa; pure maple syrup; and other ingredients, but no butter, regular sugar or eggs. Intriguing.
4. Saw friends for dinner--barbecue at the Werners' with the Mernins. Lots of laughter with cherished pals.
5. Opened and filed another stack of bills. Flagged one that requires a call to the health insurance company.
6. Mopped kitchen floor. I do find that cleaning somehow helps me be more productive overall.