It’s the month of April showers! To that end, we asked some of our freelance staff to weigh in on how they enjoy passing the time when the rain falls for some inspiration. Here’s what they had to say…
You can also head out to enjoy a movie on a rainy day. Says freelance writer Sarah Matarella, “My favorite way to spend a rainy day is going to AMC Dine-In Berkshire 8 and watching a movie with popcorn and a blue slushie.”
– SARAH MATARELLA
“Nothing beats curling up with my husband and our puppy in our home library while I write. There’s something utterly bewitching about whisking myself away into a fantasy world of my own creation as the winds whip and the rain teems down just a few steps away.”
– COURTNEY EL
Tip: if you don’t have a story to write, consider starting a gratitude journal.
“I love to dive into a good book or two in the morning or afternoon (I'm addicted to biographies, memoirs and history), and a couple of cups of black tea or heated cider pair perfectly. In the evenings, I’ll put on a great vintage movie (Two for the Road, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World, The Big Chill, The Philadelphia Story, Mamma Mia!) and enjoy a nice baked brie with a raspberry preserves and almond topping and a glass or two of a nice Riesling. Bring on the rain!”
– DONNA REED
Tip: if the whole family — kids included — is stuck inside, try making it a movie marathon day and let everyone choose a favorite film and snack.
Marian Frances Wolbers is full of ideas. She says, “If I stay at home, I'll fix a large mug of steaming tea and write real letters — the old-fashioned kind — to mail to my sister, brothers and other members of my extended family (they're scattered all over the US from New Hampshire to Wisconsin) or to my friends. Then I'll often turn to reading and writing poetry, with favorite books of poetry by Heather Thomas, Zomi Bloom and Lochlin Walker. But if and when I do venture outside, my favorite activity is heading to indoor antique and artifact markets locally, like in Kutztown or other towns, just to poke around and sometimes to buy something unusually cool, followed by a visit to a cafe for a long coffee and pastry, either solo (with journal in hand) or doing catch-up time with writerly friends. I'm a typical Gemini: I enjoy balancing introversion time alone in the morning and afternoon time connecting with people.”
– MARIAN FRANCES WOLBERS
Tip: Love antiquing? Did you know Hamburg Borough has several antique stores in its downtown? It’s true! And a cute coffee shop named Four Twelve, too.
“One of my favorite ways to spend a rainy day is looking through rolls of coins with my daughter. It's an exciting treasure hunt. Recently, we added a 100+-year-old wheat penny and some 1940s-era nickels to our collection. My grandfather was a coin collecting enthusiast, and he and I bonded over this hobby when I was a kid. I'm excited to continue this family tradition!”
– HEATHER BAVER
Tip: Rainy days are a great time to build family connections. Consider taking time to visit with family and to share stories. You can even visit virtually!
Finally, Jon Fassnacht shares how the ideal rainy day would play out for his family. He says, “I would cook breakfast for my amazing daughter and wife. We’d all go to the gym (my daughter Blake would play with friends at the Kids’ Club). We would come home for some downtime, which usually consists of reading and listening to music. Fully refreshed and clean, we’d swing by the Reading Public Museum and then visit a few wineries. Then we’d either stop at a restaurant, or my amazing-cook wife would make us dinner. This would allow us to spend some quality time together while doing things that make us feel good physically and mentally.”
– JON FASSNACHT
Tip: Rainy days don’t have to be sedentary days. Make sure to make moving your body a priority.
