THE MONSOON ARRIVES

Traditionally it arrives on July 4th.

This year it was two days late, leaving the big rodeo performances in Prescott dry as dust.

And hot.

But now the skies are darkening in the late afternoon and the sound of thunder can be heard.

Some menfolk used to say thunder was the sound of God bowling and lightning was when he scored a strike.

At least that was what they said when we were impressionable kids.

But yesterday the first drops of rain in this monsoon season began to fall here in Arizona.

Today at about the same time, it is happening again.

I've told this story before many times so forgive me if you've read it before.

When we moved from Indianapolis, Indiana, to Phoenix in 1972, we arrived at a KOA Campgrounds on the north side of the city at just about exactly this time of year.

It was hot.

Very, very hot.

That evening I was in the small store when suddenly everyone ran outside.

Customers and employees alike.

I asked someone what was happening.

"It's raining!", he or she shrieked.

I then learned that it had been over 100 days since the last rainfall in Phoenix.

Since that day 56* years ago I have been known to dance in the rain on more than one occasion myself.

And to repeat the mantra of my fellow desert residents.

"Bring it on!"

*Okay, okay, so my math skills have gone to hell.  Make that 46 years ago.