It rained during the night. Hard and heavy at times. Sporadic. Making a staccato racket on the aluminum awning that shades the sliding glass door of our bedroom.

There was thunder and lightning too. Always exciting.

The smell of the rain was like a blessing. Fresh and new. The cool air a welcome change from the heat of the previous day.

The morning dawned bright and clear and clean. The birds were singing their praises for the rain as we took our first walk of the day.

The perfect start to another great day.