I have a love hate relationship with rainy days. Right now at my home we are experiencing a nice rainstorm. During August and September we have had a drought and the lawn has suffered. I welcome this precipitation that will revive my lawn and reduce my need to water the two apple trees I planted.
When I was growing up on the farm, I often looked forward to a rainy day during the planting and growing seasons. A rainy day was respite from the draining labors of farming! As a young lad I welcomed the relief from both the heat and the tedium of our tasks. I especially remember how glad I was to have rain when we were transplanting cabbage on a 90 degree day with the wind blowing dust in our faces.
Having a rainy day wasn't always a relief from work on the farm. A frequent task on the rainy day was to clean the barn. I am not sure that this was entirely necessary or was it was another way for my father to keep me occupied. It was a dusty, dirty job that I hated almost as much and field work. Sometimes a more pleasant job was in store like maintaining or repairing machinery. Best of all a trip to town was a treat that we all enjoyed. Dad would have a beer and I would get a soda!
Fast forward to the present time of my life and I think about the hate I have for rainy days during the ski seasons. Over the last 20 years my records show a significant increase of rainy days and definitely so in the last five years. Climate change is taking its toll on the quality of our seasons, especially in the Northeast! Even with rainproof gear, a day on the slopes with rain covering the goggles and running down your neck is not the greatest!
May it be so that our rain comes when we need it and holds off for the outdoor activities we enjoy both in winter in summer.
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