It rained last week. It doesn't sound like a big deal but it is. It used to rain all the time in Houston. Rain was the norm. Days with total sunshine and clear blue skies were as close to weirdness as you could get.
For the few months that I've been in Fresno, it felt like I was in Opposite Land. It really wasn't too bad at first. I've always been a sunshine person so weeks of the stuff non-stop was pretty exhilarating. But then, weeeks turned into months and the sunshine started to grate on my last nerves: like the phony incadescense of flourescent bulbs. As phonecalls from Houston relayed storm news and non-stop rain, I came to the conclusion that, by some divine ordinance, clouds must have a no-fly zone over Fresno.
All that changed last week. Unexpectedly, a storm popped up and for the first time in months, I had to use my umbrella. It was great! I was so excited! It actually smelled like rain-drenched Houston for a brief moment. Of course, heat and rain do not make a great combination and the day ended on a very humid note.
Every place I have lived has been a rainy place even if the rain was seasonal. In those places flooding is a norm. So, being in Fresno is different. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to be in a rainy place. Rain was one of the reasons I left Houston, but every once in a while rain is good.
The rain last week reassures me that Fresno isn't a desert. Yea...I couldn't live in the desert. I think the lack of water really would have me seeing all sorts of mirages. I think my final place to settle down has to be somewhere near water. Sorry, Fresno. As much as I've come to love you, it doesn't look like you are it.
