We are all aware that the West, particularly California, is in the grip of a dangerous drought. I won’t go into a tear about climate change and its deniers, because the facts speak for themselves. I will say, though, that Oklahoma has been suffering drought for nearly as long and nearly as damaging as the West, and that this spring has brought wonderful, drenching rains.

I am nothing but grateful for them. I don’t care how much it has screwed up my schedule or that I get soaked walking to my car. I don’t mind that I can’t mow until next week and it will be a jungle. I am just glad that the land is getting the rain it needs.

I was also thinking recently about the way Americans, particularly 21st century parents, seem inclined to dilute competitive spirit in the name of “self-esteem” of their children (the “everybody did great, you’re all winners” mentality), and my seminal thought on this was that self-esteem can’t be given to a child at all, since it comes from the self, but that it can be achieved through accomplishment.

Abby is still in the hospital, and while I am frustrated at the achingly slow pace of her recovery, I am relieved that she is showing signs in the right direction. Her sister Gail, Gail’s daughter Amber, and Amber’s daughter Teddy came to visit today, for which Abby and I were very grateful.