Friday, February 28, 2014

Rain, Rain, Go Away... Or Don't!

California has been hurting for rain.  Talk of this year's drought abounds, water districts are about to institute mandatory rationing, and local news stations report potential rain showers as if it was the second coming of Jesus:

Countdown to Rain! 2 days!

Well, here we are in the middle of a very needed Storm System! And I've realized that I have a love/hate relationship with rain.  I never much cared about it before but all the hoopla has me thinking about the effects of each Pineapple Express! on my life.

I've tried to be objective by listing the pros and cons of this latest deluge.

Pros:
  • The earth needs this rain.  Plants, crops/ farmers, reservoirs, animals - all breathe a sigh of relief.  Our lawns can go from dead brown to muddy crabgrass.  Whew!
  • A downpour is the perfect excuse to be lazy.  The size of puddles in my yard are directly proportional to my lack of initiative.
  • It cleans everything off.  Your yard looks fresh and clean again.  Even those cushions on the outdoor furniture.  Yep, they are absolutely soaked because I forgot to bring them in and will probably grow mold soon.  (This is quickly turning into a 'con'.)
  • You can take a shower just before the kids come home.  If they accuse you of being lazy all day you can say your hair is merely wet because you went running in the rain.  Sure.  They'd believe that!
  • I love to curl up inside with a book and listen to the sound of rain outside.  So cozy.  Add a nice crackling fire and I might never leave my couch.

Cons:  Let me just say, I have dogs.  Dogs + Rain = Major Suckage.

  • Wet dog smell - enough said.
  • Muddy dog prints on my floor and carpet.
  • The annoying sound of dogs whining and whimpering to go out in the rain so they can pee, or get a drink of water, or bark at the neighbors, or stare up into the cloudy sky.  Who knows why dogs always want to go out when they're in or come in when they're out.  Oh my God, just choose already!!!
  • Some dogs don't actually want to go out in the rain.  They leave indoor puddles for me to clean up.  Awesome.
  • My older son and his friends can't reasonably ride their bikes to school, so my friends and I need to plan and text and review schedules to come up with daily carpool plans.  I tend to be on pickup at the end of the day.  I believe I mentioned wet dog smell earlier. 
  • My kids have chosen sports that do not get cancelled in the event of rain.  I get to sit under a big old umbrella cheering on lacrosse and rugby players, faking enthusiasm while checking my watch, counting down the minutes until I'm on my couch again.
  • I don't want to venture out into the rain to run errands.  Therefore, we run out of food in the house and my kids are left eating cereal for dinner.  Or we have to order pizza and Chinese food delivery. (This one is actually turning into a 'pro').
  • Driving to work late at night when everyone else is sleeping is bad enough.  Doing it while hydroplaning on the freeway is exponentially worse.

Well, look at that.  It appears that my list has more cons than pros.  I must not like the rain.  But wait, it just dawned on me that

WINE PRODUCTION RELIES ON RAIN FOR THE VINES!

Bring on the RAIN!!! 
Stay dry my friends.  

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2 comments:

  1. Love your blog, Newest follower! I’d love it if you would return the love!
    -Jennie
    http://thediaryofarealhousewife.blogspot.com/

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  2. Thanks Jennie! Heading over there right now!

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