Killing It In My Sixties

Until today, I dd not know there was a term for a person who loves the rain. Looking at the word, “Pluviophile”, does not conjure up anything that feels remotely close to rain. But ——Apparently, the word pluviophile is made up of two words, “pluvial”, a Latin word meaning rain and “phile” which means to love or be fond of, i.e., literally rain lover. So – there you go – a new word for your vocabulary!

I do love the rain; it makes me feel peaceful and cozy.  I love the sound of the raindrops – especially when it is a downpour.  I actually use a sleep app that’s the sound of rain, so I know that this is a soothing sound for many people.  I would love to leave all my windows open when it rains – except – now that I am a homeowner again – I am super cautious about any dampness that can cause mold.  So – I get my fix by going out on my covered balcony to sit in the Adirondack chair; this lets me see the rain, smell the rain, hear the rain, and feel the drops if I lean out over the railing.

10 Reasons Why I Love the Rain:

1. I can stay inside and curl up on my couch with a super soft blanket and either binge-watch Netflix shows, or I can tuck into a good book, without feeling guilty.
2. Rainy days put me in a nesting mood – I like to clean and organize and do pretty much anything to beautify my place, while listening to music.
3. The smell of rain outdoors during and right after the rain, is some of the freshest smelling air we can breathe deeply in through our noses.
4. We need it – desperately.  I happen to live in California where drought is an annual concern due to our history of wildfires.  The wake of trauma from years of fire is palpable, so heavy rain is indeed reassuring.
5. The rolling hills around Sonoma County turn a bright, rich velvety green that resembles a carpet of emerald felt covering the landscape. I love driving to and from work on the freeway surrounded by this beauty.
6. It is cool and comfortable. The older I get, the less I like the heat, so a cold drizzly day is the perfect temperature – I truly love covering my shivers with a big sweatshirt and thick fuzzy socks.
7. I am really present and in the moment on a rainy day – I treasure every aspect of the experience knowing that it may only last a short while.
8. A nap on a rainy day is literally – THE BEST – it’s dark and shadowy. No bright rays of sunshine beaming through your window to keep you stimulated and awake.
9. No need to make your bed – because under the covers might very well be the ultimate self-care on a rainy day.
10. It’s a great time to bake or cook a long slow-simmering dish. You’re already staying in – why not make the whole place smell yummy and enjoy the fruits of your labor. If that seems like more energy than you want to exert – a nice spicy mug of cinnamon tea comes close to the same vibe.

It could well be, that I would not love the rain as much if I had to endure it daily for weeks and months on end. Sooner or later, I know I would want the warm rays of sunshine on my face again. And navigating rain in daily life outside of your own home is also challenging, so if you commute, have kids, pets, and a job that involves being outdoors – then my Top Ten list might be annoying, or at least laughable. But as I look out the window at work, I am looking forward to being able to stay home tomorrow and enjoy the pounding rain.