A Fireplace Day in late May

First the downpours came, dark and heavy, the kind of spring rain that pops the heads off tulips and creates rivulets of rainwater in the grassy ditch.

The temperatures dropped to 45 degrees, the air conditioning turned off and the heat came back on. The fireplace, which stood cold all winter in our absence, was a reminder that 80 and 90 degree days are fleeting pleasures this time of the year.

Ozzie (our snowbird kitty) is mesmerized by the flames, but even he would rather be outside.