Last night, Matt and Dawn invited me over for supper. Those of you who know my daughter-in-law know that she’s an excellent cook. I gladly accepted, hopped in my SUV, and trundled right over to the younger Manos’s abode.
The sky was overcast and rain was in the forecast.
“I hear thunder,” I said, as Matt and the delicious aroma of meat and vegetables met me at his front door.
We had just begun to eat when thunder boomed directly overhead and rain sluiced down as if poured from a bucket.
Now, what could be better than eating a warm, home-cooked meal with one’s family while a good old Arkansas thunderstorm rattled and growled outside?
Those of you who know my son know that the conversation was never boring. All four of us laughed and ate and the rain fell harder.
Meal over, I decided I’d better head back to my house before the thunderstorm made driving unsafe.
Rain on flowers
“Wait,” Dawn said, getting an umbrella and preparing to walk me to the car.
“No, no,” I insisted. “It’s just rain and the car is only a few steps away.”
So saying, I dashed through puddles and jumped into my car. The ride home was very nice. The streets ran with water, lightning flashed, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable although short drive.
Nemo barked a greeting as I came back into my house. It’s pleasant to always have a warm welcome, even though I had been gone only a short time.
As soon as the rain let up, I suggested that Nemo should go outside and do his doggy duty before more showers descended upon us. I went out with him, standing under the shelter of a redbud tree. The rain, glistening on my deck flowers, made me think of my camera and preserving this night. I wish I could have recorded the sounds. Rain dripped off leaves and a tree frog sang near-by. Somewhere in the gathering darkness, another tree frog answered. Funny–it was the same gratey little pitch. And then, I nearly jumped out of my skin, a third tree frog tuned up extremely close at hand. I couldn’t see him and was afraid to search, afraid I’d step on him. Funny thing–his song was a different pitch, a note or two higher, quite a bit more gravelly, and more insistent.
What do tree frogs say to each other? How can one small creature bellow with such ear-splitting ardor? I don’t know, but they do make themselves known.
Altogether, it was a most satisfactory ending to an August day. And, there’s no better lullaby than a good, old-fashioned thunderstorm to accompany a sleepy summer night.
www.Pen-L.com/Manos.html 
How fun to read! I was “right there” with you, even smelling the rain! And I’m so glad it finally rained!
Pretty, pretty flowers! : )
Thanks, Fran. All the rain we’ve had this spring and summer has been good for the flowers. Do you have another lovely flower garden at your new home?