Sometimes, this is what happens on a rainday—the sun comes out and mocks you as you do indoor work. Still, in this case, the indoor work was backlogged and now it isn’t.

To be fair, the rain didn’t totally stop until shortly after lunch.

No, the eagle didn’t hang around and wait for his/her fifteen minutes of fame.

We’re in another in what has become a series of wet days. Several minutes ago the bald eagle upped the interest level in this view. While the camera was pocketed.

Despite the cold snap, I see some ornamental trees are a-bloom….

As I sat waiting for a stoplight to green, my foot solidly on the brake, I could feel the car shuddering in the biting wind.

Poppins, that is.

I discovered on my perambulation this afternoon that Lake Clara Meer is full, slopping over, actually (after years of low-water)*. This means that the Piedmont Park managers have a good stash of water for the summer drought. And the Canada geese and Muscovy ducks have fewer nesting options.

Lake Lanier is also up, way up, and it’s a much larger reservoir. I think part of it is of course the rainfall, but also the dam controllers must not be pulling that much out….

A rainy overnight and morning transitioned into sun and fluffily clouds by late afternoon. I loved the light I found during a late-day walk, like this on a crepe myrtle.

Strange medallion decoration on the bridge crossing Clear Creek at the south end of Orme Park. The other day. When it was sunny.

No sunshine today; overcast became rain, then wind (shudder). A tornado messed up Adairsville, about 40 miles down I-75 from Ringgold, which got hit in April of last year. Temps are dropping from about 70°F this morning (weird) to a low of 35°F predicted overnight….

Tonight’s bison meatloaf fresh out of the too-hot oven. I’m still tweaking the recipe, although you can check it out here.

Cold snap last night, and windy/cold today. What does it mean that I spotted a rare-in-ATL Alaska license plate early this afternoon? Additionally, does it mean anything that it was on a 4-door Audi? For extra credit, does it mean anything that this is AutoWeek* in Detroit?

* Okay, technically, it’s the North American International Auto Show….

Succulents are drought tolerant.

Rainishness all day, and the levels of Lake Lanier are rising, and have been since mid-December. Great news, since we’re in the “rainy season,” and Lanier provides ATL’s water…. The current level, at about 11 feet below normal full pool, is still wa-a-y too low. Last 24 hrs: up 0.7 feet—terrif!

Darned autocorrect—I almost didn’t catch that it turned “terrif” into “terrify.” And just did it again!

If it’s not global warming, there’s certainly plantal confusion (or whatever the term should be).

This is our new brave and lovely quince*, and I’m betting that fruit trees, even wee ornamental ones, “should” not be blooming now…in January. Even in ATL.

* LQ = lovely quince

This year has been one for the books. With our losses have come some lovely gains. D&F gave us this quince to honor M&D (thank you!). I was worried that our low rainfall had taken the ultimate goal on this new shrub, and I am so happy to report that it’s put on buds. I just hope that it isn’t too soon….

Our city water comes from Lake Lanier, which now is 14.65 feet below normal—that is WAY WAY low. Our rainfall has been about half of normal this year. Thankfully, some rain is expected tomorrow. Mild rain. Still, better than nothing.