How green is my valley

It wasn't so long ago, on a hot spring day up here on the mountaintop, that the old-timers were worried about a water shortage and problems for the farmers because the past winter's snowfall was so far below average. April passed without much rainfall, but the rains came.
Although spring unfolds slowly up here, the valley is now green and there is talk of flooding in the towns at lower elevations. Now, when I look outside where snow recently covered the ski slopes, I see green, even on that big, old tree outside my kitchen window.

The rains are welcome, keeping the air chilly and the nights good for sleeping. The wildlife refuge looks different, too, reminding me once again that water is life-giving. Nature is back in balance again.