In Oklahoma we live and die by how much rainfall we receive. One of our major industries is agriculture. Though some irrigate, there are still many dry land farmers in Oklahoma. In addition, the rains need to come to provide ample pastureland for the cattle, as we also have a number of ranches in Oklahoma.

Less than a month ago, firefighters were busy throughout the state battling wildfires due to high winds and an extremely dry winter and early Spring. On the third day, the rains finally came, and it has been raining every since.

I can officially report that the drought is over, and the monsoon season has begun. For the last two weeks, it has rained steadily; then, yesterday we got a flood.

Though I don't have a rain guage, I know we easily recorded four to five inches over a 24-hour period. However, that was nothing compared to what places east and south of us experienced. One station reported 11 inches plus for that same period.

With some areas already flooded and more rain yet to come, we could have serious problems in low-lying places, especially those close to rivers and creeks.

When I mentioned the "monsoon" season, I was only half-joking. April, May, and June really are the rainy season in Oklahoma. If we don't get the rains then to fill our reservoirs, which supply much of Oklahoma's water supply, then we are in serious trouble when the dry and hot months of July and August hit.

The art festival is in full swing in downtown OKC. The people with food and art booths nearly always have to contend with rain outs as they hold it every year at this time. Once the rain stops, we don't get any--or very little--until the middle of September when the state fair comes to town.

Then it begins to rain again, and we have our mini-tornado fall season when we receive rain once more as well as a few tornadoes as the temperature again fluctuates from warm to cool.

But that's Oklahoma--Nothing in Moderation! All things large--not small--or nothing at all!! Texas has nothing on us in that department!