RAIN
ALL THE PRECIPITATION THIS SUMMER HAS REPLENISHED THE AQUIFERS
AND RESULTED IN VERY HAPPY CREATURES
Story and Photos
By Fran Palmeri
Contributing Writer
It is like the movie, Groundhog Day. Each pened since 1957. Off and on, the Manatee and
morning we are awakened by the rumble of Myakka Rivers have been at flood stage.
thunder. The rain comes down in torrents.
Dragonflies turn up everywhere there is wa"Again?" we ask.
ter. And it seems there is water everywhere.
All summer, rains have soaked Florida. The Plants lap it up. Parks are transformed into
National Weather Service reported that in the sumptuous gardens of wildflowers — golden
Tampa area, June, July and August each re- aster, pale blue mistflower, morning glories
ceived 10 inches of rain, which has not hap- — and dozens more. The brilliant red pine lily
