Finally the rains are here. We can’t get enough of the clouds, the rain-washed landscape and above all, respite from the unbearable summer heat in the city. With rain come innumerable thoughts that include snacks and sipping your cup of tea while watching the rain, excuses to stay home and binge watch romantic flicks, go on a marathon reading spree of one’s favourites or the latest best-sellers. Yet, even as we welcome and enjoy the monsoon, there is also a need to be rain ready.
Laundry: Putting away the laundry hoping for a sunny day isn’t a good idea. With the availability of sunshine being uncertain, the wait it is sure to leave your house full of piles of laundry, a sight that can drive anyone crazy. It is best to clear the laundry so that they dry and let you chill while it rains. If this doesn’t work, make sure your laundry basket is big enough and is loaded with good fresheners to keep the stench away.
The other best alternative, also a little expensive, is to send them to the dry cleaners’, they will come washed, folded and ironed.
A happy menu: A happy tummy keeps your mind happy. So, plan your menu with enough interesting things to be enjoyed on rainy nights. A pot meal can do wonderful things. Include spices like peppercorns and green chillies to keep the mood crackling. Soups are a superb idea as well so make sure the ingredients are in place. A snack like a samosa or pakode and mirchi bajji now and then isn’t going to do much harm. When ordering food, keep some buffer time; delivery boys aren’t rain-proof, so don’t expect them to zip to your address when it is pouring.
Leathers: Give your leather shoes a break and pull out your synthetics. Water-proof footwear is as important as rain-proof clothing. It might not be raining when you leave the house but it doesn’t harm to carry extra rain wearwith you, especially if you use public transport or drive two-wheelers. To avoid wearing wet soiled boots at work, keep a spare pair of footwear at work. Walking into a meeting sporting rubber boots could attract more attention to the outfit than your presentation.
A zip-lock bag: A zip lock bag is a must carry at all times. Morning joggers and two-wheeler riders should make it a habit to have a few zip lock pouches to save your car keys and that smart phone that will allow you to take pictures of rain for #rainyday on instagram. Those who carry the laptop to work, should get a waterproof laptop bag or leave the laptop at work. Or else chances are that while you love to zip through the rain, the laptop will force you to stand cramped under the shelter of a bus stop, or the under construction metro rail flyover.
Sing me a song: Update your playlist with the best songs. Rain means pot holes, which translates to slow movement of traffic, and longer hours on the road. While updating your playlist, also throw in some dry snacks to munch while driving (those on four-wheels). Also leaving a few minutes early can save you from being stranded on the road. Throwing in an umbrella is a good idea. It could come in handy to lend to a colleague.
Fight the smell: Don’t chuck those silica gel packs that come with some packages. Use them to keep the moisture away in your stacks of cotton clothes, your shoes, leather bags and silver items. The rains can make the car stink a little as it comes in contact with water while getting in and out. To keep the car free of the mildew smell, keep a small pouch of soda-bicarbonate tucked in a corner. Soda bi-carbonate kills bad smell and keeps the car smelling fresh and clean.
Bad hair days: Bad hair days are a part of the monsoon. So condition it well and dry your hair to keep the cold and cough at bay.
Power cuts: Keep your emergency lights, inverters charged. Monsoons are also known for power cuts. So, be prepared to tackle them instead of sitting in the dark. Torch lights are defunct now that phones come with the torch light feature. But a torchlight is useful if you don’t want to save your phone’s charge. Keeping a candle here and there also wouldn’t harm.
Potted plants: Put your potted plants in a place where they get some rainwater. Rain water has nitrogen which helps in the growth of plants.
