ON A RAINY DAY, LOOK FOR A SILVER LINING

"And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow." Gilbert Chesterson"

It rained today....again! I mean, really, haven't we had enough? I have been trying to keep a positive attitude about our weather, to look for a silver lining, but today I went over the edge. It is July 17, traditionally the best time of the year in the northwest, and it feels like winter. Just to be sure, I decided find out if it had really been gray and wet, or if it just seemed like it. I went to a site that gives monthly weather summaries, and Yup! It's been gray and wet.

In April there was one sunny day with sixteen rainy and the remainder cloudy days. In May there were three sunny days, with the remainder cloudy and rainy. This month we have had four sunny days with the rest cloudy and wet. This is what http://www.beautifulseattle.com/ says about our weather:

"No, it does not rain all the time in Seattle. Many large cities on the USA east coast (i.e., Atlanta, New York, Washington D.C.) receive more annual precipitation than Seattle. However, when it stops raining in these east coast cities, the sky clears. In Seattle, when it stops raining, the sky stays overcast. The rain in Seattle is usually a light or fine misty rain. The normal average annual precipitation total for Seattle is 37.07 inches."

Sadly, there is nothing to do but grin and bear it, then count our blessings. We are not in a two year drought like Somalia. We do not have raging forest fires like the recent one in Arizona. We can have beach fires and fireplace fires without worrying about a burn ban. We have not suffered devastating, destructive tornadoes like those in the south. We are not baking like the midwest and the northeast. And most important of all, we still have our spectacular scenery, snow capped mountains, rivers and waterfalls, parks abundant with flora and fauna, and prolific flower and vegetable gardens.

I need an attitude change, and writing this blog is helping to bring one about. Since we can't do anything about changing the weather except to move elsewhere, here is some lemonade from our weather's lemons.

1. Grab an umbrella (no need for sun screen) and go for a walk in the rain.

2. Smell the pure air and be glad that you don't need to stay inside with a noisy, irritating air conditioner running.

3. Make a fire in the fireplace and curl up with a good book

4. Check out the latest movies and choose one that will make you laugh.

5. Go to a restaurant with a view and have a glass of wine and an appetizer. Anthony's Hearthfire in Bellingham, Washington is a favorite. An outdoor waterfall presided over by a fiery torch predicts the magic inside, where one's eyes take in a decor featuring blown glass, warm colors and the view outside. If you are on a budget, or if coffee is your drink of choice, try Wood's Coffee. This delightful coffee shop is perched on the edge of Bellingham Bay in Boulevard Park. It has an unobstructed view of the water, and an outdoor seating area for when the sun finally pops out.

6. If you're lucky enough to have a hot tub, sit in it with the rain coming down. It's fun.

7. Get some friends to come over for an afternoon of cards or games.

8. Bake a cake or pie and take it to someone who would be surprised and overjoyed to see you. (My sister came over today with a friend and brought a Papa Murphy's Take and Bake Pizza. It was unexpected, delicious, and made my day.

9. Find an activity in your area, and participate in it, despite the rain. For me it was the Birch Bay Parade, where my sister was the Grand Marshall. I never personally knew a Grand Marshall before and it was fun to see her listed as such in the lead car as she waved to those of us watching, umbrellas held high.

10. Try making something old-fashioned and tasty, like homemade fudge. Click on this Hershey fudge recipe which my husband swears by, and about which everyone who tastes it raves. If chocolate can't chase the blues away, what can?

Finally, to really think positive, look for a rainbow or a cloud with a silver lining. I saw one briefly today, and it must surely be a sign of better weather tomorrow. At least, with my new attitude adjustment I am thinking positive. You should too. It really works.