I just finished a great book by Pearl Baker called Robbers Roost Recollections. She grew up on the ranch in southeastern Utah near the Henry mountains made famous by Butch cassidy and the wild bunch. Here is her quote about rain; "Oh the miracle of rain on the desert! The exquisite, sensuous joy of it. Every sense is delighted, not only is the dust washed from the trees, from the very earth! But also the air is fresh crystal. Every blade of grass is shining, every leaf stands out individually immaculate, every rock and cliff and mesa glows with new clarity, and the whole scene is bathed in fresh color, new as first creation. And the smells-- oh, the wonderful odor of wet sage and cedar, the subtle aromas of grasses and brush and trees, and the freshly opened flowers throw out veritable skeins of perfume to tempt the wandering bee. The very earth smells alive again. Across the suddenly purified distance heavenly sounds drift seemingly for miles-- plash of water that has been too long forgotten, bird songs that are paeans of thanksgiving and the rarer, more subtle voices of the other small folk of the suddenly teeming desert add their under-chords until the world hums with sheer delight. The very air has substance; it can be felt against the skin not as weightless atmosphere, but as a caress of emolience. Suddenly one is wrapped in living radiance of euphoria. The rain has come! Once again life is sweet on the tongue, and God is near and good."
Spoken like a rancher or farmer who so dearly depends on the moisture from the clouds to allow the lifestyle we all cherish. Thanks for the rain Lord!
