Texan advertises on Craigslist for rain

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AUSTIN, Texas, June 23 (UPI) -- A truck driver says his want ad on Craigslist may have brought rain to his part of Texas.

Jerry Van Hook, who lives in Manchaca near Austin, put the ad up last Saturday, the Austin American-Statesman reported. He added a photo of Gene Kelly dancing in the rain in the movie musical "Singing in the Rain."

The Craigslist ad did not ask for prayers for rain or rain dances -- it simply sought "Rain (Central Texas)" with the text: "Grass is brown, and I just finished putting in a rain collection on my garage. Would like to get some rain on the grass and I want to see how this collection system works. So some rain is what I'm looking for."

The region got rain four days later, with some places doused with 4 inches. Van Hook measured 2.45 inches with his gauge.

Van Hook said he has learned from his wife, Cristy, you have to ask for what you want. But the couple muddied the issue after posting the want ad by shaking rain sticks they bought in Sedona, Ariz.