R-A-I-N, that's how.

In Germantown, the rain started as we were eating dinner Thursday night. It's been dry so long I almost couldn't believe I was hearing the sound of water hitting the roof and windows.

Would it be just a tease, I wondered, enough to make it even more humid but not enough to do our parched plants much good at all?

When I awakened very early this morning, I could still hear the sound of a gentle, soaking showers. I could imagine the shrubs, trees, lawn and flowers saying, ah-h-h--h-h.

Let's hope this rain is a sign that the drought and extreme heat have broken. Summer conditions will continue well into September, but we all pray the 100 plus temperatures are behind us.

Gardeners feel renewed vigor and optimism when the earth is moist. So if it's time to either add to your iris collection or start a new one, be sure to attend the rhizome sale from 9 a.m. to 4 pm. Saturday (Aug. 12) put on by the West Tennessee Iris Society. It will be held at the Pickering Center, 7771 Poplar Pike in Germantown.

And while August isn't a good time to plant most perennials, it's ideal for irises. Members of the society will be glad to fill you in on the best way to plant. Or visit this web site http://www.irises.org/growing.htm