I grew up out in rural Northwestern Nebraska, out on the high prairie. In the summers, by July, the ground everywhere is a light yellow-brown with dried-up prairie grass. Typically, you get a couple-three thunderstorms per week in mid-summer out there, to wind up an otherwise hot-and-windy day. When there’s ging to storm, generally it clouds up and cuts loose an hour or so before sundown, and the shower doesn’t last much more than 20 minutes.
After the rain stops, the sky has the weirdest light to it – too bright and intense. Because of the time of day, the sunlight is coming across at a pretty sharp angle. The clouds also help reflect and direct it. Everything is thrown into high relief. Houses seem to glow. The grasses and trees fairly vibrate with brilliance. Your skin looks like a plastic mannequin body. Everything is surreal and hyper-real.
Right after the rain, when the ground is still hot and wet, and the strawlike dry prairie grass softens a bit with the moisture, the most amazing, sweet, grassy, nutty, grainy, earthy scent fills the air. The rain damps down the dust, washes the world, and heightens every fragrance that is possible.
Of all things, the scent of Rooibos tea reminds me of the smell of high prairie after a midsummer thunderstorm.
Crazy!
Ah, yes!
The plains thunderstorms (I guess… low plains?) in Oklahoma and Kansas… I love them.
Not all that impressive in the cities like Topeka and KC and Wichita, but out in the open they are wonderful.
Sometimes very destructive, but that’s just one of the things that you have to take into consideration when you live here…
Every place has its’ faults.
Thanx for being here!