Monsoon Season

[Insert "Storms in Africa" pt1 and 2 by Enya here]

I have some very fond memories of when I lived in various parts of the Four Corners region (where Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado meet). And also deeper into Arizona. The deserts in this region are beautiful, especially with the random mesas jutting out of the ground here and there. I lived with the Navajo for a time, and was quite taken by the beauty of nature here. My favorite part was when monsoon season rolled around. Picture yourself standing on your front porch and looking out across the desert. There is a mesa in the distance. Far off you can hear thunder and see these huge black clouds lumbering across the sky. Watching rain fall way off on the horizon with lightning flashing over the mesas (and perhaps a rainbow) is a beauty in of itself.

Then the clouds come closer. You can start to smell the rain. It is a wonderful smell. Things become exciting and energizing as you feel the storm coming in. Then suddenly it is upon you. This can be a frightening time as the thunder booms loud enough to shake you to the core. But I learned to love it. And listening to the heavy rain thudding all around you is very soothing.

Nature can be deadly, but in its deadliness we also find beauty.