The Smell of Rain

The smell of rain is like this old familiar friend.  One who has only become more precious over time.  Whenever I smell it, a sense of home and nostalgia for Washington washes over me.  But rain in the South is so much better with its escorts of warm weather and an ever present sweetness in the air that wraps itself around you like a comforting hug.  The best part is that it often shows up with a thunderstorm.  What a gift it is to sit on my covered back porch and take the time to listen to the thunder rolling with multi-hued clouds providing the perfect backdrop.  Such shapes and ever changing formations as to bring all sorts of ideas to the imagination.  And with all that . . . the smell of rain.