Why There Are So Many Songs About Rain

The rain, though it screws up commuting, shuts down streets and Metro stops, and generally creates a ruckus throughout our nation's capital, is still good. It slows down the often fast-paced nature of life up here. It forces workers to pay attention to their surroundings. It makes for ridiculous situations at concerts, resulting in muddy people from head to toe. It provides the perfect atmosphere for finishing off a couple of books... and it finally puts me in the mindset to write. The rustle of wind and sheets of water against my window has lulled me to sleep for three out of the last four nights while making it twice as difficult to awake in the morning.

When it storms like this, for days on end, I really miss having a front porch. Countless summer storms passed through Cedar Heights Road when I was growing up. My family would all camp out on our covered front porch, protected by the tall cedars and blankets mom had brought from inside. I'd usually cover myself in the tan wool blanket that was itchy but always good for building a fort. Then I'd sit on the concrete floor next to my dog Duchess, whose only reaction to the rain was a flip of her ear at each rumble of thunder. I'd be a little nervous, but the sight of the driveway and road leading to our house turning into a river would fascinate me at the same time.

Tonight is supposed to be the worst of the rain for this week, though it's not really supposed to let up until Thursday or so. Stay safe out there, kids, and if you can, take some time out to watch it pour.