It's not possible to tell from the photos I took, quickly, that our beach walk this morning is in the pouring rain. For the first time on this trip I'm cold, and the dogs keep looking back in my direction to see if I mean for us to be out in this downpour for so long! Out of habit and a desire to nourish my spirit in all this drenched loveliness, I refuse to shorten our time on this slippery beach by much - which means we take it slow, and twice I stop to pick up rocks or old ropes to make spontaneous decorations for others to come across and enjoy in drier weather. On the left, below, I see this naturally formed collection of rocks and seaweed. And, on the right, I assemble these purple stones on top of driftwood branch that has fallen across Roaring Brook. We take the long way home, drenched and cheerful, and I let the outdoor shower warm my back while the rain continues to pour down from the sky onto my head. This is all the bracing refreshment I need to happily begin this day.

All photos and text copyright Kelly DuMar 2017