Rain, Rain...I'm Okay With You

Today marks our 143rd day of rain in a row. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating, but the skies have been dumping regularly for a near record amount of time these last few weeks and I can become a bit dramatic after so much cold and wetness. “Oh, the sun will never shine again.” “My legs will be a permanent shade of stark white.” “My hair will stay in its frizzy state until the day I die…which could be soon if I begin to mildew.” These are the thoughts that come to mind and stay a while.

But, like most of us dramatic types, we have the ability to swing the other way when we find a lining that is silver—even a sliver of silver. I found such a lining today. I had 36 minutes to myself in a quiet house this afternoon. While my husband paid his dues and picked up the boys and the other kids in our carpool arrangement, I made tea. I swirled plenty of honey into it (and, I confess, a sprinkle of sugar!) and donned my husband’s cheater glasses. They look ridiculous on me, but they are stronger than my own cheaters, therefore they are my favorites. Then, I grabbed my Anne Perry mystery novel, plopped down on my sagging wing-back chair and indulged in the luxury of reading in the middle of the day even though I had plenty of other things to do. It was, of course, dumping rain outside so I wasn’t about to brave the storm and bring in the trashcan from the curb. I couldn’t force myself to do dishes because inevitably I would have had to look outside at the depressing rain (the window above my sink is impossible to ignore) while I scrubbed a soaking casserole dish. The sight of yet more rain could have been lethal. I didn’t dare throw clothes into the washing machine because the sound of even a drip of more water entering my life very likely would have thrown me into the deep end. Figuratively speaking. So, my best choice on this soggy afternoon was to ignore the work beckoning me and pick up my book for 36 minutes. I enjoyed myself immensely.

So, when it rains tomorrow as predicted, I’ll be ready with my book and silver-lining attitude. If I’m lucky it will pour for at least a good 45 minutes.