Peculiar Sounds

As I write this post, a miraculous event is occurring. I want to watch it all day, if it cooperates in such a way, and I breathe a prayer of thanks for the sound it is making. I am enjoying the soothing rhythm of raindrops on my windows.

We have been in the clutches of a gripping drought. One year ago we received a deluge of rain that caused extensive damage to area properties and, with a sigh, we said, "Enough! That should hold us for at least a year." Foolish words, indeed. We then entered into a stretch of limited rain and an exceptionally dry winter. We enjoyed the lack of shoveling snow but we knew such a gift came with a price, meaning no measurable precipitation.

My spring walks at Arrowhead Park have been a bit discouraging of late. The vegetation remnants are brown, brown and more brown. My footfalls create ploofs of dust and crunchy sounds. The quarry pond levels are sinking by the day. I watched a determined Gadwell do a swim/walk routine in an attempt to find a snack. I cheered him onward, of course. I also whispered words of encouragement to the budding trees, sending up a prayer for April showers.

Praise be, the showers are rolling in. And better yet, the rain is coming down in the best possible way, a slow soaker. The ground is slurping up every drop with a parched greediness. I rummage around in my closet for my rain jacket and enjoy the chance to pop up my hood because it is raining. I am tempted to leave my coat behind so I can enjoy the feeling of the rain but no one enjoys the fragrance of Eau-du-wet-dog so I make a better choice.

I cannot predict how much rain we will receive but, as per the weather boys and girls, "an unsettled atmosphere is ahead." Of course, that includes the chance of storms. Ugh, I am not a fan of rumblers but upper plains weather is a locked-and-loaded situation this time of year. We learn to take the good with the bad.

Whether it decides to rain cats and dogs or lash us with the snap, crackle and pop of a thunderstorm or lavish us with the gentleness of a slow, all-day soaker, we will be grateful. And I am sure the grass, trees, wildlife and fungi will agree.