-->It Rained Throughout The Night During
Our ‘Great American Backyard Campout’
But The Rain Brought Marvelous Memories

“Smell is a very potent wizard,
That transports us across thousands of miles,
And, through all the years that we have lived.”

Helen Keller



I awaken in the very early morning hours
To the pitter patter of raindrops on canvas
We’re in my trusty old tent in our backyard
I begin to wonder how long this rain will last

I have not opened my weary old eyes yet
But a dog moves, and I stroke his wet fur
Soon, I can smell the dampness all around me
And in an instant, a flood of memories now stir

My mind is soon transported back through time
To another tent, in another time, so long ago
I see a very young blond boy joyously petting
A tiny black dog named Mousie that he loved so

And soon, I can smell my grandmother’s fragrant flowers
The boy is camping in his old childhood backyard in Chicago
His parents had finally allowed him to go on his first adventure
Crouching there in the dark, in the rain, with his dog, thrilled him so

And what a marvelous experience this current backyard campout’s been
Smelling rain, wet dogs, fragrant flowers, and now, reliving this memory
As I lie here petting my dogs, and listening to these raindrops on canvas
I soon recall many more glorious camping trips through the years with glee

After a few pleasant hours of more raindrops and more wonderful memories
The glorious sun finally comes out, and I head inside to brew some coffee
Through all my years of camping out, its aroma has always soothed my soul
And these magnificent raindrops on canvas, have been an integral part of Me

And even though it rained, my spouse enjoyed this backyard campout
But I doubt she will join the dogs and I when we leave for the northwood
These raindrops on canvas have made me yearn for another camping trip
Up among the pines, on a wilderness lake, where all my memories, are good


June 2014, Mr. Ed