Photo by Nikx
The Smell of Rain
Aging & Attitude
Steel metal colored clouds consume the sky and travel my way. The sun disappears behind them, and the sky turns dark.
Lightning cracks the sky and the sound pierces my ears.
The rain falls heavily, straight down and creates a blur; like at Niagara Falls, a sheet of rain cascades off the roof gutters and I recall standing on “The Maid of the Mist” weathering the streams of water surrounded by rock.
The pinging rain is musical and comforting.
Floridians call it “big rain,” and I pull to the side of the road, the visibility is so poor. It is not a monsoon, a season of precipitation; although the rain in April and May seem endless.
This daytime rain smells sweet.
A smell so fragile I inhale deeply to guess its fragrance. It is clean and crisp like mountain air but not strong. It is not vanilla, nor any other spice and less subtle than an herb.
Childhood memories; searching for a four-leaf clover, cartwheels, and skipping home to snack on Wonder bread, buttered then sprinkled with sugar, permeate my mind.
Coolness surrounds my shoulders and I close my eyes to relish the moment and the smell of rain, but cannot capture words.
What do you think rain smells like?
claudiajustsaying 
The earth drinks the cool rain and the whiff of peace,new life, and wonder fill the air. Lark
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That is inspiring and poetic, thank you, Lark. I’m smiling.
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I can’t give you a discription….but I so remember smelling it as a child and loving it. Card games on the porch…listening and breathing.
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Me too, the memory without description, thank you for sharing. Claudia
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Velvety sweet rain smells like slightly damp, peaceful happiness might smell. It smells like undescribable years of wholesome memories confined (more carressed) by the wetness outside.
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No wonder you’re bottling rain. Beautifully said, Larry.
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Very poetic and realisitc at the same time. I’m from Vancouver BC Canada and I love the rain here in Florida when it happens I love the thunder too.
Barbara
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Yes, Barbara, Florida rain is very different from NJ. In Jersey once it starts it may not stop for days, but not nearly as interesting as Fl. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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April Love
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Marshal, You hit the nail on its head, very sweet. Thank you for commenting. Claudia
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Elia Perez Posted on Kim thank you! Lupus is not the end of the world. I fight and challenge mleysf daily. Sometimes to the point of exhaustion, but I NEED to squeeze everything I can out of my days! I have always been like that. To my family it is more significant now the cotributions I make to our family. Stay strong Sis!
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Thanks Claudia, your comment about Wonder bread with butter and sugar also brought back a memory I have not thought of in years… I remember watching storms coming from the porch of my Aunt Ethel’s farm house, and the combination of excitement and refreshment that we looked forward to. Chris
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Chris,
I love hearing the positive memories people have associated with rain and that rain is far from dreary. We don’t let our kids eat those unhealthy snacks, see what they are missing.
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A lovely descriptive piece, Claudia. I love it!
Rain has the scent of my freshly-poured soaps — think Oatmeal, Milk & Honey or the delightful Lavender blended with Rosewater. Rain has a relaxing scent that is matched by no other.
On another note you can always pick out the tourists when it rains at the beach. They pack up and head to their cars. The Floridians (or at least those of us that have lived here for a while) know that the shower will pass and in a few minutes the sun will be shining again. That’s why we love it here!
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You’re right. I’m here 5yrs and back up, how long does it take or is this getting older thing factored in. Thanks for you thoughts, Christine. Love you description.
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Christine, Great description. I’m here 5yrs and still pack up. How long does it take and do we need to factor in getting old?
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I had a friend who loved the rain like you. She bought candles at Pier One that claimed to smell like the rain. I can smell them, but can’t describe them. You chose a difficult one indeed…
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Jen,
Yes it is hard to but words to but brings back good memories.
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Pingback: Comfort in the Rain | Haven't We Done This Before?
As kids I didn’t like rainy days, couldn’t play outside. But yes, rain it comforting. Thanks for sharing your thought. Claudia
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Pingback: SIMPLE JOYS:THE SMELL OF EARTH AFTER THE RAIN | IN LOVE WITH LIFE
Simple Joy, I like that, thanks, Claudia
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Good piece of writing.
Meanwhile, the air in São Paulo is still dusty and dry.
Waiting for the rain …
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Thank you, glad you enjoy my post, Be Well, Claudia
….Just Saying
________________________________
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rain smells like freshness
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Candance, Yes, freshness. Thanks for commenting, I wrote this awhile ago and it’s good to know you share my thoughts and feelings.
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very lovely. Thank you for following me on my blog too.
hugs Heidi
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Heidi, My pleasure!
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Rain smells like freshness. Crisp and clean.
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Reblogged this on Heiditassone's Blog and commented:
I usually post more mystery, horror posts, but this is a writing site. and this is lovely writing.
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Rain is the smell of wet asphalt and pepper tress. Buttered and sugared Wonder bread, they don’t make like that anymore.🙏🌹
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Mr. Me, Love this! Thanks Claudia
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Fresh laundry!!
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Rain smells like the spirit of Spring, or a respite from the summer’s heat, or the spicy earth scent of autumn, or melting winter on a random warm day in January.
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Madeline, Love your description. Thank you, Claudia
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Nice description of pleasant smell of rain
Really it beats my imagination, my experience in creative writing.
Finally, I appreciate your massive contributions towards the development of English literature.
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Thank you for commenting. Hope things are well in your world. Claudia
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Such beautifully vivid descriptions! We haven’t had decent rain here for six years and I am longing for that special smell of the first rain on this parched part of the planet!
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Anne,
Thank you for commenting. In Florida we have “big rain” frequently but it doesn’t always have the smell of rain. You know what I’m talking about. Claudia
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