All the Rain in London

It feels as if all the rain in London poured down on us this weekend and the weather report for the week ahead is none too promising. Time to think up some more indoor activities. This past weekend we made Thai Chicken Curry, Blueberry Pirate Muffins (they had pirate cupcake liners), and traded off between watching House Hunter's International and Shaun the Sheep. What's your favorite rainy day activity?

Poster by James Gulliver Hancock.

It's Raining, It's Pouring

It's raining, it's pouring.

The old man is snoring,

He went to bed and bumped his head,

And he couldn't get up in the morning.

I've known the first two lines of this nursery rhyme since I was little and taught them to my daughter recently. This weekend we were repeating it in the car as the rain came down, and she asked me what the rest of the song was. I had no idea, so I looked it up today and was a little surprised. It's a little on the grim side. I guess a lot of nursery rhymes are though.

Wet Weekend into Rainy Monday

Our already abbreviated weekend plans got rained on, actually poured on yesterday. Peach picking was abandoned and errands were done instead as it alternated between torrential downpour and steady drizzle. For the record, heavy rain makes an impressive racket on the metal roofs of super stores. My shoes are still drying and will hopefully be ready to wear again by next weekend. Next weekend will hopefully consist of two full days of freedom, less chores and lots of sun.

We did manage to squeeze a little bit of fun in between the rain drops and chores. We made it to our favorite farm stand and met a new pig Winston. His name suited him perfectly as he stood firm in his little barnyard braving the rain. You could almost imagine this portly pig reciting Churchill's famous words. "Never Give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty, never give in..."

That is the image that is running through my mind today as I gear up for the week ahead, too little rested and weary of the weather. Never give in.

Photo: London in the Rain from London Eye.

Rainy Days and Tuesdays

The rain just won't stop! The yard is a lake, river, soggy sponge combo and the mud is going to last for days. We are inside for the duration. All this and it's not even April yet. Somebody should call ahead and cancel the spring showers. We don't need any more water, thank you!

So other than filling the reservoirs and over flowing the rivers what are rainy days good for? Hmm, I'd rather be out in the sun, but here's a list of things that make rainy days okay:

1. You can put things off because of the inclement weather. "It was just too damp to paint the trim." That's a very sound excuse. " I meant to go shopping but it was pouring." Understandable. Or how about "I was going to call you but it was raining" That's novel.

2. Rain makes for good naps.

3. Bad walking weather but excellent reading weather. "We are having excellent reading weather today."

4. Doesn't seem like a waste of time to re-watch old TV episodes. Lost Season 1 here I come.

5. Good excuse to indulge in comfort food. "I caught a chill and required a large bowl of pasta to warm myself."

6. No Yard work required. See above description of yard.

7. Perfect day to clean up your desk. And nice to know you don't have to do anything at your clean desk. Remember going back to #1, this is perfect weather for putting things off. Not to mention, who wants to ruin a perfectly organized desktop with a lot of messy paperwork.

8. Perfect time to doodle, laze, ponder, ruminate, and dream. Which brings us back to naps. Which is where I think I'm headed. That or I'll admire my tidy desk.