Weekly Bread #204

We only got out on the trails twice this last week because of the rainstorms that have been hitting our area. “Atmospheric Rivers” they are calling them. We used to call them downpours. If the downpours were too intense and lasted too long, the rivers and creeks flooded. They are comparing this series of storms to the ones in 1955 and 1982. I remember both of them. I was only 5 in 1955, but I remembering walking with my mother to look at the Pajaro River, which normally flowed behind a levee six or so blocks away from our house. We got to the river much sooner than usual and I could see houses with river water up on their porches. “It won’t get to our house,” my mother said. I don’t remember whether I believed her or not, but she was right and the rain stopped and the water went down. In 1982, I was in San Anselmo, in Marin county, and the creek flooded the entire downtown. Again, my house was fine as it was the other times that creek flooded while I lived there.

Sometimes we escape the floods, the fires, the falling trees, and the howling winds. Sometimes war and violence seem like maybe they will stay far enough away. How high is the ground where we have built our shelter? Are the walls sturdy enough? Will the roof hold? Should we believe those who tell us we will be safe? Maybe “if”… and there is always an “if” .. If we only..whatever it is… everything will be fine.

But our safety is not guaranteed, no matter how hard we try to achieve it. And I fear that it is really too late for us as a species, having build our castles out of sand that can too be easily washed away. Even stone will become sand once the water has its way.

And still, despite “natural” disasters and even despite the horrific acts some of we humans continue to commit, there are still breaks in the rain sometimes. There is sunshine through the clouds, even a rainbow or two, and the trail calls out to us, again urging us on. Hunker down when you need to, when the storm or just life is raging, then put your boots on and venture out again.

Choose your path wisely though, avoid the mud when you can, and watch out for falling trees and rising tides. The danger is always increasing, but staying inside won’t save us in the end. Enjoy the beauty that still surrounds us and hold in tenderness all that you love.

A small miracle that my weight is slightly down after two dinners out this week as well as fewer hikes. A faint rainbow.

L’Chaim

Average weight this week was down .3 pounds for a total loss of 146.1