How Beautiful after the Rain

It is interesting to live where there are mountains but you can't see them.  It is such a thrill to drive down the street, especially in the morning when the sun is coming up, and see the Santa Monica mountains, when before a rain there was nothing.  In Colorado Springs for example, one sees the mountains all the time and usually a bright blue sky.  Smog is one of the well known problems we have in Los Angeles.  Even the word smog, used as a verb, is defined as a covering or enveloping something.  A good rain, however, will not only make the air clear and clean, but the trees are so much greener and the flowers smell so much better.  Even the lights at night from my window sparkle more when there has been a rain, and the stars seem more alive.  I made some analogies last night in my blog and this topic eases into another one:  the rain is like our challenges, they cleanse us and cause new growth as the rain does in nature.  I don't exactly like to be out in the rain, especially driving, but being home hearing it on my roof is comforting.  It is so cozy to have a fire and the company of my kitties Joey and Timmy.  Add a good book or music and the evening is perfect.  We don't get much rain in this area, but when we do, it is always a thrill to see the mountain peaks topped with snow.  Another reason, besides growth, to welcome the rain.