It’s been a rainy week where I live, and looking out the window, I got to thinking about free things to do on a rainy day. Most aren’t really limited to a rainy day, but certainly would help a slow rainy day to pass more quickly.

1. Read a library book. People seem to have forgotten that nearly every community has a repository of free books, available for anyone to go peruse. Check out an old classic, the latest sizzler, or something totally out of character.

2. Cook something. The food is there in the cupboard, use it! Grab a cookbook, look up something you’ve never made before, and get busy baking, boiling, sautéing, or broiling.

3. Write a letter. No, not an email. A real, old fashioned paper letter. Get out a sheet of paper, pull out a comfortable pen, and write a nice long letter to someone who would truly appreciate it.

4. Listen to the radio. Having grown up in the age of MTV, I was under the impression that radio had little to offer. Why listen to music on the radio when you can watch it on television? Then I happened across NPR just in time to catch Garrison Keillor in mid-show. If NPR isn’t your style, there are plenty of other options out there. Give it a try.

4.5. Listen to a podcast. A bit more 21st century approach to radio can be found in podcasting. If there isn’t anything on the box, check out the options available on the internet. I like LibriVox and National Public Radio.

5. Color a picture. Oh, come on! Almost every house has a box of crayons somewhere, and you have to admit, sitting down to color a picture can really be fun. If you don’t have a coloring book, color the cartoons in the newspaper or draw your own picture.

6. Phone someone wise. Everyone should have some wise old friends. It could be a grandparent, old family friends, people you know from church or some other way, but you should definitely have someone older and wiser you can chat with. When the rain starts, pick up the phone and have a nice long chat, preferably about whatever they want to talk about. It’ll make their day, and just might make yours too.

7. Take a nap. Having a gentle sprawl about can be really refreshing on a dreary day. Take some time to lay down on the couch, in the bedroom, or wherever else and catch a few winks to pass the time and give you a boost for when the sun comes out again.

8. Play in the rain. We can’t be sane all the time – going crackers every now and again helps keep things fresh. If it’s a warm summer rain, forget being proper and have a nice frolic with the raindrops. I promise you won’t melt.

Of course, there are hundreds of other things you could do on a rainy day – these are just meant to get you thinking. Go for something you wouldn’t otherwise do, and you’ll find it just may refresh you for days to come.