We had a magnificent violent monsoon storm in the late afternoon, and I have to document it here because it’s been years since we last experienced such an event. We should have storms like this – we used to have storms like this – every summer. Torrential, wind driving the rain horizontally through the heavy air, most of our front yard and street flooded for about an hour. Sirens non-stop in the distance for a time, because Arizonans can’t drive in the rain. (Call it one of our charms.) Downed mesquite trees. Our desert tortoise marching happily around the backyard, splashing in the puddles.

It smells lovely out there. I will never leave this desert. It’s another planet, and it is enchanting.

That’s all I’ve got for tonight, friends. Be safe out there!