“April showers bring May flowers,” or so says the nursery rhyme from my childhood. But here in Lakeside, where I now live, this is not the case. April can be hot, but May is usually hotter, often reaching the high 90s with NO showers in sight. A common pastime for Lakesiders is to make a bet on when the rainy season will start. Will it be late May? Early June? Mid-June? Everyone seems to have an opinion. And then there are the “rainbirds” that everyone is listening for. Who will be the first to hear them? These cicadas live underground and only emerge when the rains are imminent. We eagerly await their “singing” and then, when they do emerge, we wish they would quit making all that noise!
The hills surrounding the lake are dry and brown, just waiting for some rain. But when it does come it will only take a couple of weeks for them to return to their beautiful lush green color. Being from Washington state, I am used to many months of rain, unlike here at Lakeside. I love walking in the rain, feeling the cool water on my face, and inhaling the fresh air. Soon little rivers will spring up everywhere and the waterfalls will once again be flowing. The lightning storms over the lake will once again dazzle us with their beauty.
A newcomer asked me just the other day when the hills will be green again. I just laughed and welcomed him to one of Lakeside’s favorite pastimes, predicting the rain.
For more information about Lake Chapala visit: www.chapala.com
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