A rainy holiday is a real bummer.  You have to cancel your plans for picnics, boating, golf and just about everything fun about Labor Day. Some people forge ahead with their outdoor plans, hoping some miracle will make the sun come out. But often, it doesn’t.  Many of us are facing gloomy skies today.  So why not make the best of it?  Here are seven benefits of a rainy holiday.

1, It’s a perfect excuse to be lazy. You don’t have to jog, hike, bike, or water your lawn.

2,   You needn’t dress up, put on make up, or fix your hair, because you’re not going anywhere. .  You might even  stay in your pajamas, because it’s not likely anyone will stop by.

3.  There’s finally  enough time to try a new recipe.   It so easy to fall back on the same old dishes when you’re busy.  Now is the time to surprise yourself or your family with a new entrée.  One  rainy day, I tried spinach stuffed chicken breasts for the first time.  Luckily,  I had the ingredients on hand. And when we sat down to dinner, it felt like we were at a gourmet restaurant.

4.    Binge on Netflix.  Only dummies watch movies all day—right?  But now, you can justify it, no matter how well educated you are.  After all, it’s raining too hard to drive  to the library.

5. Savor a cup of hot tea.  Dress it up with honey and lemon.  Sit back, dream,  and watch the raindrops falling.

6.  Let pure rainwater wash your dusty car . If the sun comes out, you don’t even have to towel it dry.

7. Rain relieves late summer allergies because it washes away those nasty pollens like ragweed.  Just for a little while, your nose stops dripping and you don’t have to dope yourself up with antihistamines.

Rainy holidays don’t have to be depressing.  Put on some romantic music, call someone you love, and have a peaceful, relaxing Labor Day.