The Reign of Rain …

Johnny-on-the-Spot … by John Foster …

The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicted April in these parts would be cooler and drier than normal.

About a week into the month, it’s been cool but forget about it being drier than normal.

We’ve already received about a month and a half’s worth of rain in the first week.

However, that’s better than what forecasters had been warning when they suggested some areas could get 3 months of rain in that period.

The benefit of all that rain has resulted in a very clean garage floor.

When it rain’s hard, the water comes in to the garage under the back door and we have to grab our trusty squeegee to push the excess down the driveway.

That was a task that was performed 3 times in about 5 days.

When it’s soupy wet, you don’t get the benefit of that delightful aroma of rain we experience in the summer.

Rain actually has a smell.

It comes from the moistening of the ground.

“Petrichor” is caused by actinobacteria, micro organisms that decompose dead or decaying matter into simple chemical compounds.

“Geosmin” contributes to the smell of rain.

Raindrops aren’t actually tear-shaped.

They’re more like a hamburger bun and they weigh less than an eyelash.

From a cloud at 2,500 feet, a raindrop falls at about 14 miles per hour and takes about 2 minutes to reach the ground.

Rain extremes range from .019 inches a year in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile to somewhere between 460 to 500 inches in parts of India and Columbia.

Did you ever wonder if you run to get out of the rain, will you get wetter?

Studies indicate sprinting to protection when caught in a shower will keep you drier.

Did you ever wonder what meteorologists mean when they forecast light, heavy or torrential rain?

Up to a tenth of an inch in an hour is “light’ while three-tenths of an inch per hour is considered “heavy” while torrential rain is eight-tenths of an inch or more in one hour.

So, how do you know when you’ve had a lot of rain?

Neighbor kids are surfing in your ditch.

Farmers scrap plans for soybeans and corn and opt for rice.

Robins have to give artificial respiration to the worms they pull out of the ground.

Ducks start carrying umbrellas.

Swim goggles replace sun glasses.

The neighbors ask to fish in your backyard swimming pool.

Folks start towing their trailers with the car or truck in tow behind the boat.

You think that old, bearded guy down the street has been collecting pairs of animals.

(I ‘Noah” guy.)

Toadstools become the new state flower.

You sorta like mud puddles because they cover the winter chuckholes.

You get somewhat used to that damp and musty smell.

You see the little “Coppertone” girl on the corner holding a cardboard sign saying, “Looking for work!”

The umbrella becomes to new fashion statement.

Black rubber boots with buckles make a comeback.

Any kids that play outdoors have a new game called “Hide ‘n Splash”.

The rain stops for 30 seconds and neighbors start mowing their lawns.

You have to change windshield wipers weekly.

Car washes offer “dryer only” specials.

Wrinkled toes and fingers become the fashion rage.

People actually boo when they see a rainbow.

Bus stop shelters offer soap and towels.

Eye glass wearer simply wave a white flag.

The shop vacs and the squeegees keep selling out.

Gargling becomes a talent on “American Idol”.

Now, in 1970, Creedence Clearwater Revival released “Who’ll Stop the Rain” from their “Cosmos” Album.

Some think the song was a thinly-veiled protest against the Vietnam War.

What do you think?

“Long as I remember, the rain been comin ‘down.

Clouds of mystery pourin’ confusion on the ground.

Good men through the ages, tryin’ to find the sun.

And I wonder, still I wonder, who’ll stop the rain.”

Creedence Clearwater Revival also had “Have You Ever Seen the Rain”.

The Beatles had “Rain”, Prince gave us “Purple Rain” and the melodious Carpenters sang about “Rainy Days and Mondays” and Gene Kelly was “Singin in the Rain”.

Want more “rain” tunes?

Eddie Rabbitt’s “I Love a Rainy Night”, Brook Benton and his “Rainy Night in Georgia”, or “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on my Head” by B.J. Thomas.

I have to mention Sweet Baby James Taylor with “Fire and Rain” plus the mighty Temptations with “I Wish it Would Rain” and, of course “The King”, Elvis Presley and “Kentucky Rain”.

“Rain” songs seem to “reign” supreme.