Raining Violets?

If ever you thought it not to "take a village" to survive existence, the interconnection we're experiencing now has surely proven otherwise. It's hard to believe that volcanic ash from Iceland is affecting world travel to such a enormous degree. The AP photo used here is incredible, I think.

And so, European friends and acquaintances are finding their homes and properties covered by black ash... as Southern friends are experiencing yellow, by way of a pollen cover beyond the norm... as airports are raining people - or so it seems.

We once had a bizarre "rain" experience. It was this time of year, when I had a surprise sixtieth birthday party planned for Joe. Several weekends before the anticipated date, Joe and I broke out in a strange rash, as did Brian (five or so miles away) and our neighbor across the street. Joe's dermatologist diagnosed it as poison ivy. Hmmm; no plants in our yard or surround-
ings; none in Bri's; and none at Jim's. Okay; we began treating.

Meanwhile, it was hard to ignore the pinhead-sized black balls of whatever all over our yard and driveway. Our skin continued to "crawl", after working outside, as the rash spread on exposed areas. Yep; you guessed it - not poison ivy. As it turned out, we had a mega-infestation of tent caterpillars that year. Teeny, tiny upon leaving their cocoons, they were either landing on us or doing something else on us. GROSS, I know... but, hey, it was raining whatever!

The party was postponed; helluva surprise! I'd much prefer the raining of violets, when April showers come our way!