英语博客(A cup of English):009 And the rain came down!

（单词翻译）

　　And the rain came down.
Beginners.
Yesterday it rained most of the day. Last night it rained all night. And now, this morning, it is still raining. It doesn't often rain in this valley. Wenatchee is called a desert, and I suppose it is. However, about this time, in November, the rain comes. Sometimes it stays for a few days. It prepares us, and the ground, for the snow. At the end of November the snow comes. It stays for about four months. Some people who live in rainy Seattle get tired of the rain, but here, it is a treat. Children can put on their rubber boots and splash in the puddles¹. Getting wet isn't a terrible thing. You can always get dry afterwards. But you do need to be prepared: rubber boots, a long coat, and, perhaps, an umbrella.
Grammar notes.
To rain is a regular verb: it rains, it is raining, it rained, it was raining, it had rained.
Associated words: wet, clouds, puddles, splash, soaked, drip, rubber boots, umbrella.
Useful words: However, sometimes, about, I suppose.
Advanced.
Drip, drip, drip, pitter, patter, plop. These are the sounds that I have heard on the roof and all around the house for the past two days. It has rained consistently, even during the night. For me, it is pure nostalgia². Being from England, I am used to puddles, drips, drops, and splashes. As a child, I played in the rain, went to school in the rain, watched the rain from steamed-up windows, and even built forts in the rain. English kids don't let a little water get in the way of their fun. Mind you, Seattle gets much more rainfall than England. My Sister-in-law who lives there, told me that, in the Winter, they can get a whole month of non-stop rain. Now that might be too much even by english standards! It certainly is a transformation³ for our valley that would be totally dry were it not for irrigation. The low clouds, dull light, and soft sounds of the droplets⁴ falling everywhere, together create a story-like setting. It's time to get cozy⁵ on the sofa with the children, share cookies and drink hot chocolate, and read good books all afternoon.
Grammar notes.
'I won't let a little ....... get in the way of .............' examples: I won't let a little illness get in the way of my plans; He didn't let a little mistake get in the way of his career etc.
'Were it not for....' examples: Were it not for the fire-fighters, I would have lost my house OR I would have lost my house, were it not for the fire-fighters.