Friday Writing Essential—Rainy Days—October 9th, 2009

Depending on where you live, snow may or may not be a reality, but rainy days are something we all experience, at least from time to time.  Here in upstate New York, we tend to have a lot of rainy autumn days.

In my neighborhood, we plan our fall clean up around the weather forecast; we busily rake our leaves to the curb for the town trucks that come with huge vacuum hoses to remove copious amounts of fallen foliage. The town composts this material, and then delivers it back to a central point where, in the spring, residents can load up on free compost.  I live in a neighborhood with many mature trees, so leaf raking becomes a major focus between now and the first week of December, when the trucks make their last pickup before exchanging vacuum hoses for snowplows.

It’s still a little early to be thinking about snow here, but on days when rain prohibits working outdoors, and I have some free time, I like to find something interesting to do inside.

Sometimes I like to sit and watch the rain as it streams down the concrete gutters that line our street. The birds come out to feast at our feeder hanging under a still full canopy of leaves on a huge maple tree in our backyard.  Rain can be very peaceful and relaxing, but for me, the accompanying grayness often makes me feel tired and lazy.

So, what to do?

Although curling up with a good book and a cup of tea or writing are both good choices, sometimes I feel more alert if I can do something a little more physical to combat the damp grayness. Taking my dog for a walk would be a good choice except for the fact that she is totally unwilling to set one paw out the door in even a hint of rain.

Cleaning out closets is always a good choice (and for some reason seems endlessly needed), but certainly isn’t much fun.  With a teenage daughter that seems to change clothes multiple times a day, laundry is always waiting to be done, (and I manage to wash a couple of loads each day), but I crave something less ordinary at times— something uplifting and different.

Today is one of those rainy, gray days.  My daughter is home from school until Tuesday for the Columbus Day break, and is still sleeping as I write. Jada, our dog, has, thankfully, gone to join her after pestering me to hold her up to see our Russian tortoise, Ricky, in his special enclosure that my husband built for him. This is a daily ritual that she would willingly spend hours a day doing, gazing at him with who knows what thoughts in her little doggie mind.

I’m thinking that I might go downstairs and do some baking today: banana chocolate chip muffins (daughter’s favorite), and maybe start some soup or stew in the crockpot.

I bought some wonderfully fragrant candles recently that I’ve been meaning to put around the house, and I think I’ll simmer some cinnamon and cloves on the stovetop and let the aroma waft throughout the house. When I was a kid, I was happy anywhere that smelled good, and I still find certain scents very uplifting.

I have some art prints that I have been meaning to frame to hang in my office that might be a good project for today.  My workspace is surrounded with photos and objects I love, and I painted the walls a lovely golden color (actually my daughter and husband painted it for me) so that even on the darkest of days, there is a warm glow to the room. It’s a nice place to be, and I’m comfortable here, no matter what the weather.

Maybe later, daughter and I will make some popcorn and watch a funny movie together.  “What About Bob?” is one of our all-time favorites. I like spending time with her and laughter is a great thing to share.

By then, maybe there will be a break in the wet weather, and I can get the dog to go for a walk. I’d love to collect some colorful leaves for a craft project I’m planning.

By then it will be time to start preparing dinner, and afterward, I’ll probably read for a while before turning in for the night. I have to get up early tomorrow and drive my daughter to her Rotary Club project (Adopt A Highway) and then off to run errands. Even on my busiest days, I always try to carve out at least 30 minutes for something fun. The older I get, the more I realize, life really is what you make it.

For today’s writing prompt, make a list of 10 things you like to do when it rains. Take one item from that list and do a five-minute free write about that activity.

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