Grateful for summer rain

Growing up in Australia, I was very well-versed with periods of drought, where there would be weeks or months on end without proper rain. Water restrictions were normal, people's lawns turned brown, dams and lakes dropped their water levels noticeably, and every bit of rainfall felt precious. It serves as a good reminder for me to cherish the summer rains here.

Of course, there are elements that make it annoying, from the humidity to clothes that won't dry, and a wet genkan that I feel like I'm constantly having to tidy up. But even with the inconvenience, I've come to appreciate it.

The way the rain cuts through the heat, even just for a little while, is so nice. The smell of wet soil and the sight of mist hanging over the mountains is really pretty. My favorite though is probably the rice fields looking impossibly green with the cloudy skies overhead.

I know that rain here is an expected part of the summer season, but that doesn't make it any less valuable to me. If anything, it reminds me how varied our experiences with nature can be depending on where we come from.

Are summer rains normal in your country of origin?