Katherine Nicolai

It was screened in and had just recently had its spring cleaning. The wicker chairs and tables were wiped down and the cushions laundered and plumped. I realized I still held the photo on cloth from my dusting.

at them on a table and went close to the screens.

at them on a table and went close to the screens.

at them on a table and went close to the screens.

A fine mist of water landed on my glasses and cheeks and I laughed. I pulled my glasses from my face and wiped the lenses on my shirt but stayed close to the screens. liking the cool touch of the rain and the scent of the lake. I could smell moss and waterlogged tree trunks.

A fine mist of water landed on my glasses and cheeks and I laughed. I pulled my glasses from my face and wiped the lenses on my shirt but stayed close to the screens. liking the cool touch of the rain and the scent of the lake. I could smell moss and waterlogged tree trunks.

A fine mist of water landed on my glasses and cheeks and I laughed. I pulled my glasses from my face and wiped the lenses on my shirt but stayed close to the screens. liking the cool touch of the rain and the scent of the lake. I could smell moss and waterlogged tree trunks.

In the distance, the sky was even darker, and I thought this shower might actually become a storm.

In the distance, the sky was even darker, and I thought this shower might actually become a storm.

In the distance, the sky was even darker, and I thought this shower might actually become a storm.

that lightning and thunder might literally be on the horizon. I wasn't cold, not yet at least, when I walked along the length of the porch, peering closely at the flowerbeds, drinking up all this good water. then into the reedy line at the edge of the lake, where I spotted a long-legged egret, bright white against the green and gray of the water.

that lightning and thunder might literally be on the horizon. I wasn't cold, not yet at least, when I walked along the length of the porch, peering closely at the flowerbeds, drinking up all this good water. then into the reedy line at the edge of the lake, where I spotted a long-legged egret, bright white against the green and gray of the water.

that lightning and thunder might literally be on the horizon. I wasn't cold, not yet at least, when I walked along the length of the porch, peering closely at the flowerbeds, drinking up all this good water. then into the reedy line at the edge of the lake, where I spotted a long-legged egret, bright white against the green and gray of the water.

What was the experience of a bird or a fish on a day like today? If you have ever seen a horse running unrestrained on a beach, then you know the joy that animals can take in movement. And I wondered what it might be like to soar near a rainbow or swim just below the surface, as gentle rain fell.

What was the experience of a bird or a fish on a day like today? If you have ever seen a horse running unrestrained on a beach, then you know the joy that animals can take in movement. And I wondered what it might be like to soar near a rainbow or swim just below the surface, as gentle rain fell.

What was the experience of a bird or a fish on a day like today? If you have ever seen a horse running unrestrained on a beach, then you know the joy that animals can take in movement. And I wondered what it might be like to soar near a rainbow or swim just below the surface, as gentle rain fell.

The sound of the rain rushing down suddenly doubled, and a gust of cooler wind raced through the screens.

The sound of the rain rushing down suddenly doubled, and a gust of cooler wind raced through the screens.

The sound of the rain rushing down suddenly doubled, and a gust of cooler wind raced through the screens.

All right, then, I thought.