When I awoke to grey skies and drizzly rain this morning I knew there would be no bike ride today. The car was already gone on another day of high-intensity op shop and nursery shopping, so I was on my own.
What was I to do? I needed some indoor activity to fill in the day and drown out the rain. As it turned out, my day was almost perfect. The best thing is, I realised, anybody could take the same 10 steps, adapt them to their own tastes, and have a wonderful day inside while the rain pours down outside.
Here are 10 steps as I took them:
1. Turn on the Music
I cranked up the stereo and set it to shuffle. Although my music collection comes from the 60's and 70's my stereo doesn't. Its hard disk drive records and plays back 80 gigs of my music – I might be old but I know a good new idea when I see one (sometimes). Now with The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Doors and all my other R and B tunes covering the sound of the rain I was in the groove.
Modern Stereo for Old Hits
2. Clean the Oven
In a state of air-guitar ecstasy and obviously with my mind operating like it often did in the 60s I decided to clean the oven. If, like me, you keep putting this job off then a rainy day is probably the best time to man-up.
I sprayed a can of oven cleaner so foam covered the entire inside of the oven. It was then I read the directions; the foam must now be left for four to 12 hours.
Cleaning the Oven
3. Have a Coffee
Luckily, this setback was early in the day. If I can't clean the oven then I might as well have a cup of coffee and think about what else I can do.
4. Tidy the Garage
My stereo has satellite stations throughout the house (I told you it was a good idea), so I transferred the music and headed for the garage. No matter how often the garage gets tidied up there always seems to be stuff in the way. If only the car was available I could take a pile of stuff to the dump, err, sorry, the refuse transfer station.
I jived to the boogaloo and shifted everything from the floor to the shelves until we would be able to access the car without bumping the doors. Repeat Step 3.
5. Recall Your Yesterdays
I hadn't planned this but, as I cleaned the garage I discovered our old photo albums. Remember them? Actual books with physical photos inside and not digital JPEG images and electronic photo frames.
Memories of days gone by flooded back; that's right, I had hair once and the first bike I ever owned was so tiny. What's incredible is my darling wife; she's every bit as lovely now as she was way back then.
6. Watch a Favourite Old Movie
The nostalgia of the photos reminded me of how we used to watch old movies on TV. I hunted through our DVDs and found a favourite – 'Some like It Hot'. Oh really, is Marilyn Monroe in that movie? I only watch it to see Tony Curtis play the saxophone!
Repeat Step 3 as necessary during the movie.
What a Great Saxophone
7. Play with Your Pets
Rainy days not only spoil bike rides they also cause animals to get bored. That's when they become a real nuisance. A little chase and fetch up the hallway is always a good way to get their minds on to something other than barking.
8. Pamper Yourself
On a chilly, rainy day there's nothing better than a warm bubble bath to soak up the pains in your weary muscles. After all the hard work I'd done I thought a little relaxation could be in order as a reward. If your thing isn't a bubble bath then perhaps some hot rocks down the back would do, just do what relaxes you.
9. Take a Nap
Once relaxed, try an afternoon nap; a nana nap. This is a terrific way to re-invigorate yourself. It's best if, at this point, you turn off stereo, lay back and listen to the patter of the rain on the roof. Nothing better.
10. Bake a Cake
After such a day of work and relaxation you need to keep the good times rolling. I decided to finish my rainy day doing what I really enjoy and that's cooking. The family likes it best when I bake a cake. I like fruit cake, they like sponge cake, as the day had been all about me I decided on a sponge cake to spoil them.
Let's get started. Turn on the oven ….... oh no, it's full of foam!
