Many people absolutely loathe those dark, rainy days that, in their view, hold them hostage at home. They gripe that this prevents them from going to the mall, meeting up with friends for lunch at the cafe, hitting the gym, or crossing other things off their To Do Lists that necessitate venturing out. I see it quite differently, perhaps in part because I'm a writer. Inclement weather should be an excuse to stay home, all curled up with a good book and cup of coffee. If you're not a bibliophile, you can always catch a good flick while munching on popcorn. Or how about writing, painting, or napping to the sound of rain streaming down your window? Or, you can use the time to clean, do laundry, organize your drawers/closets, or take care of those other chores you continue to put off. As a proud, self-admitted introvert, I jump at any opportunity to stay holed up reading and writing in my home office, or watching knee-slapping shows with my wife in our cozy living ro...

Rainy days seem to be one of those things that people either love or hate. I've asked around, and opinion is increasingly polarized on this topic. Those who love rain say it creates a sense of calm and tranquility, is good for the environment (e.g., grass and trees), and serves as a useful cleaning agent for things like cars. They also say it makes for great sleeping or reading weather. Then there are those who loathe rainy days, saying that too much rain makes them depressed and keeps them holed up at home. I think it all depends on one's personality and how often they like to be in doors. If you're an outdoorsy person who enjoys sunbathing on the beach or jogging at the park, rainy weather is sure to be an inconvenience. If you like staying at home reading or watching Netflix, the rain is less likely to bother you. The only time that I can't stand the rain is when I have to be somewhere at a certain time -- say, at work for a meeting, church for a wedding, o...