Yesterday's rain brought such simple beauty. Beauty and wonders - nothing escaped its touch.
The rainy morning was just the beginning of the weather display yesterday. In Oregon we say, "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes!" That was true of yesterday - many times over. The skies opened wide and poured what seemed like buckets full of water on everything below. Then there was calm - for a while. Cloud-covered skies soon resounded with loud claps of thunder followed immediately by bright sun peeking through to let us know all was well. This was repeated a few times before more rain arrived. Later as I drove home from Portland the most incredible double rainbow arched across the countryside nearby. A few miles and a short time later a brief but heavy hailstorm! Then more rainbows. I saw more rainbows yesterday than I have ever seen in a single day! (And I didn't have a camera with me! When will I learn to keep it with me?) By the time night arrived things had changed again and our world was quiet and still. Looking out across my backyard I saw the moon through the neighbor's trees - a sign that the clouds had parted a bit.
High overhead, our big maple tree near the front door has begun to prepare for winter!
A bit later a special treat! Mr. G. (grandson #3) arrived to visit me while his mommy and new baby brother were being honored at a baby shower. His daddy and older brother (Mr. R.) were helping a friend with a building project. My sweetheart (Grandpa) is deer hunting far away from home for a few days. Mr. G. was soon very busy. After playing with favorite toys he washed his hands and "sang a song at the piano" for me.
When Mr. G. arrived he brought a project that needed my help. We carefully wrapped his gift to a special little friend whose birthday party he will attend this afternoon. Of course every gift needs a card so we quickly found the craft box and it wasn't long before a very wonderful, hand-made, custom-designed card was complete.
Late this morning the doorbell rang. Mr. G. answered it and welcomed his dear great-grandmother, my dear little mother. She was our invited guest, invited to join us for lunch. Lots of hugs followed and soon we were enjoying such fun together. Our lunch menu was very special - two of us enjoyed ham sandwiches while one person savored the delights of peanut butter and jelly! Chocolate pudding was served in style at the conclusion of our 'dining experience'. Not long afterwards it was time to bid Mr. G. farewell. While wrapped in my arms he whispered, "This was my bestest ever time, Grandma!" Nothing can top that - ever!
Fall has arrived in Oregon and our cool, sunny days have given way to a few days (or so they tell us!) of rain. Wonderful, refreshing rain! Everywhere around me I see neighbors getting ready for winter days ahead. But for just a short time more there will be signs of autumn and the beauty it brings to our part of the world.We woke to the sound of rain pouring down from the sky very early this morning. A click of the TV and we heard "rain is extremely heavy right now to the south, in the . . . area." We already knew that - that's right where we live and we could hear it pounding on the roof and the patio outside. A short time later it had lessened and we stepped outside. There is a certain 'smell' to the first rains of the season - rain stirring the scents of the deep, rich soil and beating on the fragrance of the flowers nearby. We love the feel and the scent of the early rains.
Back in the shelter of my warm house I remembered an old, familiar song.
I'm singing in the rain
Just singing in the rain
What a glorious feelin'
I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I am in love
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place
Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face
I walk down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just singin',
Singin' in the rain
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. 
The falls comes from the top of the rocky bluff, overhead. . .and passes under a stone bridge (about a third of the way up from the bottom of the picture) where a hiking trail crosses over, and. . .
and under another footbridge near the highway below.
My dear little mother and I stayed on the plaza below while my sweetheart and our dear cousin hiked the trail to the Benson Bridge above. We waited and watched for them to appear and wave to us from far above where we sat. 
After a short drive on the freeway east to Cascade Locks we found a beautiful park beside the Columbia River. A table not far from the water's edge was the perfect place to eat our carefully prepared picnic lunch. While we ate we were thrilled to see a tugboat pushing a barge upriver. River traffic on the Columbia River transports many different products to various destinations for shipment to local markets and to others around the world. Wheat from Eastern Oregon and Washington is often seen as it is moved to the ports of Portland and Astoria.
The Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler was docked not far from our picnic site.
After lunch I wandered over, with camera in hand, to take a closer look at the bow. . .
the stern (and the wheel!). . .
Not long after we rejoined travellers on the freeway headed east we turned south at Hood River for the drive around Mount Hood. We were amazed to see how much she had changed since our visit a month ago. There was much less snow and the meadows and trees have begun to change in preparation for the winter snows to come. 
We wanted our cousin to visit Timberline Lodge and enjoy the history and beauty there. Since my dear little mother cannot tolerate the effects of the very high altitude on her heart she and my sweetheart stayed in the little village below while I drove our cousin up the mountain to the lodge. While we girls were away they enjoyed a visit to a new cultural and historical museum. 
An old, weathered fire hydrant near the walkway behind the Lodge captured my attention. I wonder how long it has been there. Does it still work? 
While we were at the Lodge the clouds began to roll into the valley below. 
On a clear day, from the second story observation deck, you can see some of the Cascade Mountains to the south of Mount Hood. By the time we climbed the stairs and walked outside onto the stone deck this is what we saw. I loved our cousin's positive attitude when she decided to take a picture to show how high we were above the trees!
We love the beauty of the world around us and we enjoy sharing it with our dear family and friends. My sweetheart and I will make this trip again, probably many times. We hope to go again soon - just the two of us - to see the changes autumn brings to the gorge and the mountain. What a sweet day that will be!
Written by Stuart Townsend (1995)