A Year of Gratitude – September 27, 2024

I found my gratitude in a soggy trip through the garden today. Rain started early overnight on Thursday. I woke up a few times to the sound of raindrops falling on the chimney cap. It was loud and constant, but we’re so fortunate given the devastation I have seen coming from Hurricane Helene.

The rain continued all through the morning and afternoon. It kept right on raining through dinner and into the evening. We needed the rain, so I won’t complain although I was very happy to see a bit of sunshine this morning.

When I walked out to tend to our hens this morning, I stopped to walk through the side garden and happened upon this hydrangea. While the rain had stopped falling, it was still holding on to raindrops.

This might be the last bloom this hydrangea puts out this season. It was a glorious season for our hydrangeas, perhaps the best one we have ever enjoyed. Each plant put out more showy blooms than usual and it was just wonderful to watch.

The color on this bloom has faded quite a bit in the past few weeks, but the rain gave it such a shiny and saturated appearance. For a moment, I could have thought that it was a mid-season bloom. It might be different than those blooms, but it is just as beautiful in its own way. I was so happy to have seen it.

This post is part of our A Year of Gratitude Series. You can find the introduction, inspiration, and entire year’s gratitude’s posts here.