Yesterday was a gentle reminder that people still live at the mercy of Mother Nature to provide us with our simple pleasures.  It's crazy that in today's age of cell phones, Ipods and voice activated gizmos a good rain can still cripple a man.

When you hear the thunder what do you think of?  I think to myself...oh crap, my dogs are going to get very worked up now.  Other's might panic and turn off the TV and make sure they do not shower until it passes.  While still others run to the window to watch God's fury.

Yesterday as I lowered fences for the green horse I'm riding to jump, the stable owner came out to the arena with scrapper in hand.  She stood in the Gazebo and prepared to scrape last years peeling paint from it's surfaces when we heard a rumble far off in the distance.  I instantly felt relief.  It was one in the afternoon when I choose to ride,  and the threat of a storm meant a break in the heat...maybe even a breeze. 

Julie on the other hand shouted an obscenity out into the warm country air. 

I knew immediately what was the matter.

She had a field cut. 

Worried they would not get it raked and baled before the rain came she called her husband for his opinion.  Of course his words were logical.  What are you going to do? he said to her.  The storm was to pass us to the north, but the rumbling continued for the next hour off in the distance as a constant reminder of it's presence. 

The rain never fell, so I am certain that they were able to get their field baled and stacked.  But I was reminded once again of Pa Ingalls.  Every year he lost his crop, and how many farmers continue to every year due to the weather?  Look at this year alone with the mass flooding in the mid-west. 

Farmers work hard...this I know.  I witness it every single day in this town, but no matter how hard they work and prepare and how much experience they bring to the field and barns...they are still at the mercy of a higher power...with one flick of the wrist she...mother nature, can reign (rain) down on anyone and every thing that she desires and turn our whole world upside down.  Not just that one farmer's life...but it effects the lives of all of us.  If he looses his field, then the price of beans goes up...and now you are in a bind as well. 

Cause and effect...every action has a reaction...the snowball effect...all of those clichés apply...
We are never completely in control of our own destinies.