These relentless rainstorms are wreaking havoc. Broken limbs hang precipitously from one of our pepper trees, victims of unrelenting winds. Hummingbirds are flying erratically around their feeders, fragile wings wholly saturated by heavy rains. But whew, we’re not in any danger where I live–just inconvenienced. And whatever the weather, our Christmas will be merry and bright.
Meantime, I’m celebrating another Solstice. In these coldest, darkest days of winter, Solstice points us toward the light, whispers sweet promises of spring. And so it was that I splashed through my soggy backyard with a camera this morning, pulling my coat tight against the pelting rain. Crazy, yes, but I wanted a photographic symbol of this special day.
The citrus trees were rain-slicked and shimmery. Come, they seemed to say, come admire our golden treasures. Here, a strand of jewels is draped around a ripening grapefruit. Mother Nature is quite the fashionista, isn’t she? Now, by all accounts, the lunar eclipse last night was magical; I hate that the cloudcover obscured it! But I’m smitten by this little orb o’ sunshine–a worthy talisman of this Solstice Day, if ever there was one. 
Wishing you a wonderful Solstice Day, resplendent with goodness and light!
I love your solstice grapefruit (“greatfruit”), with its sparkling beads of water. It’s a moon or sun, isn’t it!
(Lovely that you can *grow* these.)
In its unripened state, I think this “greatfruit” could serve as sun or moon–or both.
Don’t you just love the way it’s accessorized? =:)
Very cool — lovely solstic pic 🙂
🙂
Did you see the solstice eclipse, Robin? I hope so–that’s something your kids would remember for always. And would pass along to their kids and grandkids…a forever piece of family lore.
Edited to add: I just now saw your entry about the eclipse. It’s so lovely, I’m linking to it here (hope you won’t mind): http://robinellen.livejournal.com/315687.html
Lovely picture! Happy Solstice to you, too 🙂
Thank you! The grapefruit’s on the verge of ripeness, but it already looks…juicy. I love that it’s dripping with raindrop pearls. 🙂
What a glorious picture! It makes me feel all refreshed and revived. And zesty! 😉
Zesty–YES! Exactly as intended. 🙂
Wishing you a zippy, zesty Solstice!
Happy Solstice, Melodye! Thanks for that great link to eclipse photos.
Happy Solstice Day to you, too! Wishing you a cozy winter, in your new neighborhood & by your new hearth.
What a genius picture! I love it. Happy and sunny 😉
Yay! I think the Solstice is meant to be happy and sunny. 🙂
That’s a beautiful, beautiful photo. Wow. It pops off the screen.
Sending dry thoughts your way on this Solstice, Melodye…
Thanks for the compliment, Tracy! It means a lot, coming from a seasoned photographer like you. I need to practice more with the DSLR camera–I’ve hardly touched it since taking lessons.
I appreciate very much the dry thoughts, even if the results are a bit delayed. The weather forecast for tonight and tomorrow? Heaviest rains of the season, plus lightning and thunder (a rarity around here)!
Happy Solstice, Melodye. Gorgeous grapefruit! Glad to hear you’re not in any danger from the rains. My family in Hawaii has been getting their share of wet, too.
The hardest rains are hitting now. Here’s hoping the buckets outside our garage door help keep the water at bay, and that the drains in the backyard don’t back up any further.
Happy Solstice! Sending out positive thoughts to your family, in hopes they stay safe and (relatively) dry…They’re calling these storms The Pineapple Express–I think because they have their origins in Hawaii and thereabouts. 🙂
Happy Solstice, Melodye! And try to stay dry.
PS Trade you rain for some snow. 🙂
Much as I love you, I hate snowy weather. So yeah, thanks but no thanks. Sending you lots of warm thoughts, whilst slogging through the windy rains.