The local weather forecast is filled with rain for the next week, and while some folks may dislike the seemingly day after day of wet weather, I for one embrace it – for a number of reasons.

First off, there’s my garden.  I plant a few raised beds every year, and the daily dose of liquid sunshine keeps me from having to manually water in my seedlings and young plants.  At this time of year, they will take all the water they can get, and the moist soil will help my spring veggies sprout up even faster.

Secondly, there’s naps.  There’s nothing better than stretching out on the couch or in my recliner on a rainy afternoon and being blissfully lulled to sleep by the pattering of raindrops on the window panes or roof.  Also, at this time of year, it’s just cool enough that I can snuggle in under a light blanket, further adding to my napping nirvana.  Perhaps this is my age talking here, but naps are the absolute best.  Tell me I’m wrong.

Third, the abundance of rain at this time of year just livens up the emerging landscape.  The mountains to the west of me are exploding in different hues of green, the cherry trees and redbuds have blossomed, the forsythia bushes have exploded in bright yellows, and although I loathe yard work, my lawn is putting on its best face for probably the entire season.

Sure, we may think a week of rain is excessive now, but come the dog days of July and August, we’ll wish we had even a smidge of this liquid gold to cool down the landscape.  When the afternoons reach triple digit temperatures, I watch my tomato plants shrivel up even after a thorough morning watering, and the yard sounds like a bowl of cornflakes as it crunches underfoot like straw, I’ll look back on these rainy days with fond memories.

Besides, who can nap when it’s hotter than a jalapeno’s armpit or a pair of sweatpants full of barbeque.