I'm not talking here about listening to the pitter patter of raindrops on a roof or tent, although that's rather endearing too. Instead, I'm referring to getting-soaked-to-the-bone wet in a rain shower, walking in the woods or down a street near where I live or on the beach. Any sign of lightning changes all that, of course, so I'm speaking here of just an innocent downpour.

When I see it's raining with no thunder or signs of lightning, I check the weather station on TV and wait to view the local radar. If just casual rain, out I go; if it looks torrential or scary, I stay in. And I limit my walks to 20-30 minutes.

The advantages? First, I wear little more than I would if swimming, with trunks, a t-shirt, a cap to keep the rain out of my eyes, and old tennies that I don't mind getting wet or even muddy. Not far from my house is a pathway that winds along the road but also traverses neat wooden bridges, over small creeks, through glens and light forest. No one is around, few cars are even on the road so sounds of non-nature don't overwhelm, and it's a whole new world out there. No sunburn, no sweating, no crowds -- just trees, flowers, shrubs and other plant life reveling in the thirst for liquid nourishment.

The beach is a whole different story. The shoreline belongs to you when it sprinkles. But again, any sign of dark clouds, lightning, thunder and the such should scratch any idea of being outside. And I never walk in the rain at night because you can't really see the sky in order to stay vigilant.

Just remember before leaving home to leave near the door a plastic bag for your wet things, a towel and dry clothes. Try it just once, and never mind passersby who think you're crazy. You'll enjoy it, I promise.