I have lived in Florida for 22 years now. I grew up in Upstate New York in the 2nd cloudiest city in the United States, Syracuse. When I moved to Florida, I thought it would be a tropical paradise with non-stop sunshine. After all, it is known as the Sunshine State.
One difference I quickly observed between New York and Florida was how people spend their time during rainy days. In New York, the Malls and Movie theaters were crowded in rainy weather as people sought to escape the wetness by spending them doing leisure activities. When the weather was sunny, these destinations were deserted as people spent their time enjoying the rare summertime weather. In Florida, it was quite the opposite. During those numerous hot and humid days with the radiating sunshine, people escape to the air-conditioned malls and theaters to escape the heat and sun. When it rains, these venues are deserted as people don’t like to venture out when there is a possibility of getting wet. I think the reckless driving in wet weather has something to do with it as well.
In Florida, I quickly found that, especially in the summer, there is a daily rain shower. It may not hit the entire area. In fact, sometimes it only rains in part of our neighborhood for just a minute or two.
It is unusual for us to have all-day soaking rains, but they do happen occasionally. When I happen to be home and not working at my day job during those days, there are a number of ways I have been known to spend these days.
Netflix/Hulu/Amazon and Chill
I am a binge watcher. I have been known to watch an entire season of a television show within one rainy day. There is nothing quite as embarrassing as having Netflix prompt you to see if you’re still watching. It’s like the app is calling you a loser for sitting in front of the T.V. for that long. Of course, thanks to the dual monitor setup on my computer, I can happily binge and work at the same time.
My latest binge watching has included:
- Stranger Things
- Ray Donovan
- CSI (Yes, I never watched it when it aired and I’m now binging all 16 seasons)
- Mind Hunters (A great Netflix original based on early FBI profilers that interviewed serial killers).
- The Black List (It’s improved greatly this season)
- The Big Bang Theory (It’s just funny)
- Curb Your Enthusiasm
Read a Book
This is always an option. I’m a voracious reader. I used to read exclusively when I went to bed at night, but I’m finding that it’s becoming harder to stay awake for reading after working a 14 hour day. Now I read when I travel or just because I want to read. Rainy days are great for this. My favorite time is when we lose power due to a hurricane or storm and reading becomes one of the only options.
Cook
My nine-year-old daughter Lillie loves to cook. I love to cook with her. She is now able to bake several things on her own and has helped me make lasagna for family dinners for the past two years. It’s a fun time to bond with her and make some great food.
Eat
See the previous item. Eating is a comforting activity and something about making soup, stew or chili during the rainy weather helps take out the dampness in the air.
Oh Yeah, Writing
Writing is a great activity anytime, but when it’s rainy outside, I feel less guilt over other things I could be doing with that time. I can’t go outside. I might get wet. I just have to remember to save my work often in case the power goes out. Writing is the ultimate leisure time activity for me. I still enjoy doing it whenever I can. That’s a good sign after five-plus years of serious writing effort.
What about you? How do you spend those rainy days.
It´s similar weather here in Spain. We had a rare rainy day yesterday. I have so many rainy day activities lined up, that I don´t know where to start. But writing is always one of them. I think it´s cool your daughter likes to cook and you often cook together.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing. She has enjoyed cooking since she was very young. It’s a fun activity for both of us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My main character, 12-year-old Amanda, in my series likes to cook. Some (adults) have questioned that she may be too young to be cooking. I certainly was cooking before that age and now I have proof that a nine-year-old enjoys cooking! Continue to have fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have those doubters watch Master Chef Junior. We are constantly amazed at the 8 and 9 year olds that make sophisticated dishes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m originally from Wales, where rainy days happen most often, and avoiding getting wet is only possible if you plan to spend about 95% of your time indoors. I live in England now, but there’s still not much difference between what I do on a sunny day to what I do on a rainy day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think one adapts to the rain when it’s that frequent.
LikeLike
I think you’re right.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Did not know that Syracuse was the 2nd cloudiest City, but that does explain a lot now. I was thrown off by the Florida rain stuff too. It’s definitely more sudden and severe than in New York. I remember getting trapped under awnings a few times until the unexpected downpour stopped. Though you might be onto something with the driving. I hated getting on I-4 in the rain because people drove like psychopaths. Best to stay home with tv, books, and maybe a nap. Rainy days tend to just drain me anyway.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m convinced that drivers under 65 in Florida never use a blinker and when they reach age 65, they turn the blinker on and never turn it off
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve seen evidence of that. Not to mention the speeding. Guess it explains why Nascar is so popular down there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. Nothing quite as enthralling as watching cars drive around in a circle for 4 hours. My NY snobbery hasn’t worn off. 🙂
LikeLike
Same here. Though I got the feeling some people watched for crashes. Like hockey fans who only enjoy the fights.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love that you cook with your daughter. It’s been a family tradition of ours going back generations to have the kids in the kitchen with us, learning and participating. Both of my kids are grown now, and they’re both very good cooks. It’s nice that you are making memories and teaching her a skill.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love to cook with her and she is very good at it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s awesome. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Anna Dobritt — Author.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing this Anna
LikeLike
Lillie’s a cutie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Thankfully, she looks like her mom 🙂
LikeLike
We have more power outages here than in the U.S. I’m retired so just read by the light of a battery lantern. The monsoon is full of rainy days and leads to more power outages. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
In Florida, power outages used to be very common with thunderstorms. More power lines are now buried, so it’s improved.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I read the lines being buried here led to more problems as there must have been a poor recording of where they were located. Either that or workers just don’t check. Then there are the road workers, day laborers who are just told to dig and don’t realize there are power cables down there. Also, the metal lids on power boxes are stolen for the worth of the metal. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
They seem to be well marked here. Also, they have plastic covers here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know for the life of me why they don’t put plastic covers on the electric boxes. People steal the metal lids then in time the wires dangle and people and animals get electrocuted. It’s so tragic. — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person