I've missed the sound and smell of rain.

It is raining, pouring buckets, not just a shower but a steady soaking rain.  It's been a long time since I've heard that sound and smelled the scent of wet earth and plants.  I've often thought that the smell was the prayer of thanks that the plants were sending heavenward.  (Rationalists tell me it's ozone but I don't have to believe them.)  The sound of this kind of rain is so calming, soothing.  We had a house once with cala lillies near the windows and the sound of rain on those broad leaves put me to sleep every time.  I know that the east and northeast has had more than enough rain this year but here on the Texas Gulf Coast, it has been a long dry year.  Showers of blessings indeed!