With the first soft pattering sounds outside, I dropped the manuscript I was proofing and walked straight outside to sit on the crisp scorched grass. Let the raindrops collect in my hair...mist my face. Breathing deeply to capture all the smells.
Almost 50 days since our last drop of rain.
Although faithfully watering the flowers, herbs and baskets I planted in Spring...the rest of the surrounding area had turned first tan...then straw...and at last the colorless crispness of drought conditions.
Isn't it strange that we tend to take little events like a summer rain for granted...until we don't have one for almost 2 months.
Oh sure...the first week of picture perfect blue sky sunless days we smile and soak up the sun. Then weeks pass. Temperatures rise. Basking is nice, if abbreviated...and we watch the skies for rainclouds. But today we sit in the delicious rainfall and the wetness revitalizes our soul...promises to bring back the grass...spare us the task of hauling water...and the smells...mud...earthworms...puddles. The frogs dance in Hostas beside the pond.
And the sigh...is relief!
