Summer Rains, Such a Tease
I realized the other day that I love rainy afternoons. The revelation came at the realization that I have not been able to enjoy a rainy afternoon in quite awhile. This time a year, in the South, we have what I call teaser rain storms. The black clouds roll in everyday sometime after lunch. Soon, a rough rumble of thunder is heard around town. The wind kicks up a little, then a little more. The thunder gets louder and louder. Wind blows stronger. Clouds get darker. Then... the sun comes out. You hear from your friend 2 blocks away that it just poured at her house. Or, it poured at your house for a total of three and one-half minutes. Just long enough to make steam rise off the driveway and roof. A teaser.
I want a good rain. A real rain. The kind of rain you can smell coming when you walk outside. It makes the air cool and sweet. The grass seems to sense it too, and perks up. A gentle wind begins to stir the almost dry leaves in the trees. We have a huge Cottonwood tree in the back yard with leaves the size of Buzz's head - we checked. Those leaves make the most wonderful music in time to the wind. Especially before a real rain. It's that soft rustle and whisper of the swaying leaves that is that tree's saving grace; the leaves fall almost all year and did I mention that they are as big as Buzz's head?
And when the real rain finally falls...
It starts out gentle. You can barely make out the sound, wondering if it is rain or maybe sticks dropping on the roof. The low rumble of thunder is in the distance. Then you see the tree leaves dancing differently than they were before. It's rain, sweet, sweet rain. The cracked ground drinks it up. The grass reaches higher to make sure it gets its share. Trees gladly let rain droplets turn to rivulets as the water travels down trunks. Fading flowers turn on the bright colors of early summer. Bushes and shrubs shake under the tingle of cool, cool rain. Farmers do a rain dance on tractors and backs of trucks. And then, there's me. I settle in on the sofa on the sun porch. The windows give me a full view of the back yard, Cottonwood and all. Those Buzz-head sized leaves are dancing and singing in full glory. The squirrels are darting from tree to tree. The Cardinals and Jays are swirling around trying to decide if they should fly for cover or enjoy this blessed shower. After watching the tableau a few minutes, I sip my coffee and open my latest good read. The only sound is the rain.
I want a good rain. A real rain. The kind of rain you can smell coming when you walk outside. It makes the air cool and sweet. The grass seems to sense it too, and perks up. A gentle wind begins to stir the almost dry leaves in the trees. We have a huge Cottonwood tree in the back yard with leaves the size of Buzz's head - we checked. Those leaves make the most wonderful music in time to the wind. Especially before a real rain. It's that soft rustle and whisper of the swaying leaves that is that tree's saving grace; the leaves fall almost all year and did I mention that they are as big as Buzz's head?
And when the real rain finally falls...
It starts out gentle. You can barely make out the sound, wondering if it is rain or maybe sticks dropping on the roof. The low rumble of thunder is in the distance. Then you see the tree leaves dancing differently than they were before. It's rain, sweet, sweet rain. The cracked ground drinks it up. The grass reaches higher to make sure it gets its share. Trees gladly let rain droplets turn to rivulets as the water travels down trunks. Fading flowers turn on the bright colors of early summer. Bushes and shrubs shake under the tingle of cool, cool rain. Farmers do a rain dance on tractors and backs of trucks. And then, there's me. I settle in on the sofa on the sun porch. The windows give me a full view of the back yard, Cottonwood and all. Those Buzz-head sized leaves are dancing and singing in full glory. The squirrels are darting from tree to tree. The Cardinals and Jays are swirling around trying to decide if they should fly for cover or enjoy this blessed shower. After watching the tableau a few minutes, I sip my coffee and open my latest good read. The only sound is the rain.
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