And the clouds opened up.....

Well, we had been enjoying a great day in the pool! My youngest and I went out to the sunny round heat escape in the backyard around 10am. That is where we stayed until about 6pm. We entertained swimming visitors and also a young man who is going to USMC boot camp on the 15th of July who stopped by to day hello and collect an award he received. It was a glorious day and then......

......the clouds opened up and the scent of impending rain filled the air! We were able to get everything off the pool deck and come inside before the sky started looking like something out of a movie. Scary and imposing, the winds picked up and the thunder echoed in the distance. Every once in awhile, a streak of lightening bolted across the sky. The smell of summer rain on a hot day grew stronger and stronger and then, it was as if someone broke the dam and the rain fell from the sky. 

And then that quickly, almost as quickly as it came, the skies looked blue again and a cool breeze began to blow! I completely love summer rains. After a stinking hot day, rainstorms like this are always a welcome relief. It certainly cooled things down outside and restored some livable temps to the area. Perhaps there might even be a rainbow to find if I look hard enough. 

Throughout all the rain we have had in the past week and a half, you will not hear me complain! While I don't always like rainy days, there is something about the rain that is beautiful. I saw a quote somewhere (imagine that!!) which said "The rain, in the burning heat of summer, is a blessing from God!"  Very true quote right there. So many people spent an awful lot of energy complaining about the heat the past few days. Prior to that, we heard all the complaints about the rain that drenched us for numerous days. The little summer rainstorm we just experienced cooled things off and lessened the heaviness of humidity we've been under. What a great and glorious blessing from above!! 

Perhaps we should learn to enjoy and appreciate all aspects of nature. We can't enjoy the cooler temperatures without first experiencing heat. We can't enjoy the sunshine without first experiencing a cloudy day. We can't enjoy the first snow of winter without first experiencing the droughts of summertime. And we can't enjoy the rainbow, without also experiencing the rain!!

Until tomorrow, my friends......