It's strange. We haven't had a decent rain since late May. Everything is dry (we have one of those fire risk signs right here in town--we are at 'moderate' risk right now). I have tried to plant a couple of new flowers and even though I am watering every day they are really struggling. I've never lived in such a dry area. I am starving for a few big fluffy clouds, let alone a nice downpour...isn't that what summer is about-at least partly? I still don't understand why people are so down on the winters here, even the most sun crazy person has to be looking forward to a little rain by the time September rolls around.



There isn't much I can add to these shots. I thought the only way to show you was to saturate your eyes with what I am seeing here. Don't forget to click on the images to get a closer view. I will add a few things about specific images to point out things I find interesting.


What they grow in this area is grass. I've seen what I think to be a bell pepper plot, I've seen hops fields, I've seen corn and a small amount of soy, but mostly, what I see is grass. But not just one kind of grass-many many many species. I knew there were variations of browns and yellows in life, but I have never seen them on a palette like this and used so liberally.














A small oasis. The green around this one little pond pops out for miles.














This image of the road is lovely. See that large patch of green to the left? Can you guess what it is a field of? No?


Clover. Acres and acres of nothing but clover. Can you imagine? Hmm, I guess you don't have to.







I had another image of that golden color, but it didn't show how it was being lit up from the sunlight like this is ...get a close look, you'll see.


Look at that orange! That's grass, my friend, grass!















And here was something I passed on my way home. I could see it from a distance but took the shot a bit closer just to make sure you would get the color of it and know that it is real. Of course, it is just a little washed out, but I think you get the gist. It's basically a purple dirt. Newly smoothed--I wouldn't say plowed because it is such a flat surface.




















I had to rush out and get these photos because the farmers were starting to cut everything (harvest, right?). Interestingly, there were a lot of Turkey Vultures hanging around the mowed areas.
I will never get over how beautiful this place is. Hopefully I will get out and get some landscape painting done, which I have yet to share with you, I know, I am sorry about that. Soon, I promise. Maybe even later today, who knows? You could get lucky!

Love to all and all to love