We remain optimistic, even though our building permit is still wrapped in red tape. Despite the delays, our contractor is doing as much prep as he’s allowed without a permit. This way, when we finally score that Golden Ticket, he has everything in place and can get started. In the meantime, we spend a day a week on the property weed-whacking, trying to keep the grasses near our new “stuff” from growing too tall.

The weather has been our nemesis for the past few weeks. We’re either dealing with afternoon thunderstorms or temperatures so hot we can hardly stay hydrated. So far, our side of the mountain has managed to dodge the worst of the local flooding resulting from the annual monsoon moisture. The central burn scar, however, hasn’t been so lucky. The canyon to the west of our mountain has been hit hard, with flood waters washing away the road, a cabin, and a camper. Two people lost their lives.

The severe drought conditions throughout the Southwest and Western U.S. has much of the region on fire once more. Even now, almost twenty states are reporting active wildfires. While the monsoonal moisture might help quench some of those fires, that same rainfall will cause flooding in areas where the ground no longer has protective vegetation. The coming week promises more of the same—morning sunshine followed by mid-afternoon thunderstorms. While the rain is welcome, it can quickly become too much of a good thing.

For now, we wait. We are thankful for our “sister from another mister,” who has made us more than welcome in her home. For her, we are eternally grateful.