It’s a rainy Friday morning.

The few sprinkles on the sunporch roof have turned to a downpour.

Still, I sit with the sliding doors open – enjoying the view.

I’m in the midst of a meaty story (no, that’s not a reference to it pertaining to beef). It’s one that requires many varied sources, much research, and deep thought. A good old investigative journalism exercise.

I love these projects. They can be time and mind consuming – but the weighty challenge is a nice balance to some of the simple things I do. Oh, I appreciate the one-source, one-topic paychecks. They are my bread and butter. And I learn something new every time. But once in awhile it’s nice to put on the figurative scuba gear and dive in.

Internet research has its hazards. It can be a bit of a zigzag trail. I’ve been able to offer several sporadic comments to friends’ Facebook conversations and I’ve logged a couple new recipes and musical selections.

Maybe my attention span isn’t what it should be.

But I’ve still accomplished a great deal. So I feel safe taking a few moments to enjoy the rain.

We’ve had plenty here, unlike other parts of the country. Too much in some cases. The farmers are dealing with the prospect of a wet harvest season. And steady rains at times that are normally dry have reduced cornstalk quality for those chopping corn for silage.

In today’s ag world, I guess we’re never happy. Certainly, we’re glad we aren’t in California or other southwestern states, where the heavens and the skies have dried up. But ag is now an exact science, and getting sufficient rains through the year is no longer good enough, they must come in the right two-week period. We seldom irrigate here, yet producers are considering making the investment in the equipment – just for those years when the rains don’t come at the exact needed time. That difference of 50-60 bushels to the acre will handily pay the bill.

For people like me, I’m just glad when I don’t have to water the garden in any given week. But that, too, varies by plant stage.

Growing crops is an exact science. As is livestock production. And reporting that science constitutes a large share of my business.

The rain’s letting up a bit now. Aside from the occasional clap of thunder to jerk me back to reality, the soft, steady beat of the drops could lull me into napville.

Guess I better get another cup of coffee if I’m going to keep sifting through websites.