In Defense of Walking in the Rain

"It is not easy to walk alone in the country without musing on something."

-Charles Dickens

I have long held a stance on the subject of Walks in Rain that takes an optimistic, hopeful, and rather fond view of them. Some people think otherwise. Why they think otherwise is beyond me, but it was only this last Sunday that I was talking with a fellow or two about my fondness for Walking in the Rain, and how everyone always thinks me daft. This afternoon after sitting on my botto for 5 hours making phone-calls for pay, I decided I needed a nice long one. I was accosted by dogs (including my own) in one direction so I switched tactics and decided to go the other way. Wise choice, that one. I ended up on a bleak, windswept, moorish sort of place and a chap passed me by. He pulled off further ahead, turned around, and came back.

         "Do you need a ride?" he asked in a hesitant, gentlemanly way as if uncertain whether he ought to have asked me, since I a young lady alone on a dreary road at dusk.

         He looked so earnest and discomfited I was not at all afraid. I laughed. "No--I'm out walking for fun!"

         "Seriously?" I've never heard a voice more incredulous. He acted rather as if I had boasted a plan for walking to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus.

        "Really! I love walks in the rain." I smiled broadly, conscious of the fact that I probably looked a mess with my hair whipping about and my skirt drenched.

        He took a breath and looked at me again. "....Okay...." and off he went, looking doubtful still.

This encounter made me laugh a deal, and set me to thinking of a good defense as to Why. Why do I like walks in the rain? Why should you? And so all the way home I talked to myself merry as you pleased and compiled the list you see here. 

In Defense of Walking in the Rain.

1. Things smell better in the rain.

Proof: Have you ever smelled wet woodsmoke? Or wet pines? Or simply wet autumn?

2.Adventures are more inclined to happen.

Proof: If you were walking in the sunshine, d'you reckon a chap would stop and ask if you needed a lift? Highly doubtful.

3. Everything seems more British in a rain.
Proof: Have you ever walked through a flat bit of Eastern Virginia in the winter sunlight? There's nothing less English than that. But give yourself a wild November rain and a few upland drafts and a bit of deserted road and you are transported to Wuthering Heights itself.

4. A walk in the rain improves the complexion.
Proof: Even Mr. Darcy himself was not impervious to the charms of a woman who had taken a three mile walk in misty moisty weather.

5. It is the best way to enjoy bad weather.
Proof: You see, even the grouchiest grouches will admit that the chief charm of bad weather is getting out of it. Therefore, in order to get out of something you must first be in it. Thus a walk in the cold, nippy, wet weather heightens the pleasure of everything. If you do not enjoy the walk itself (I dare you!) you shall certainly enjoy your cozy dryness all the more having been wet a moment before. (I Rhymed, in case you didn't notice.)

6. It is a curious experiment in Diseases.
Proof: Everyone before the mid 20th century swore if you walked in the rain you'd die of pneumonia. I am proof (seventy times over) that such an oath is untrue.

7. Your brain works better in the rain.
Proof: ....I shall think of some presently. Ah! It enables you to write a post like this. {thankee, thankee}

8. It is a fabulous way to swim without any danger of drowning.
Proof: Have you ever drowned from walking through a mist? No? I am glad. Because then it would make reading this Defense rather awkward for both of us.

9. It is the best weather for thinking.
Proof: If you attempt to enjoy rainy weather indoors you are much too likely to fall into a dreamy state. If you are walking about, tromping through a gale on the high-road your chances of happening upon something Rather Clever are doubled, as you must have some measure of your wits about you in order to survive around those obnoxious little things called cars.

10. It is good stewardship.
Proof: "How?" you are asking. "How?" I shall tell you how. We all have bought an umbreller at some time or other, and if we never walk in the rain, tell me--what was the purpose of having bought an umbreller? Especially a rather nice rose-colored one that clashes with everything you wear? It would be rubbish. You'd far better have spent your umbreller-money on something else--like a ceramic goose. You'll never use that either, but at least it isn't the least bit pretty and doesn't deserve to be used.

So there you have it, dear Country People Who Stare At Me. I am not senile. I am far from bonkers. I am just a girl who happens to love a good walk in the rain, and thinks the art of doing so is not quite dead. This is my attempt at feeling Avenged.
               
Much Love,
        The Girl with the Rose-colored Umbreller