The day was gray, damp, and dreary. A chill seeped up through the floorboards, spreading up my legs, and settling into my joints. A miserable day, cursed by most people--to me it was a gift.

The day, this day, was perfect for pampering the soul. The chill became an enemy to be vanquished, a minor victory over life’s discomforts. Carefully, I laid the kindling in the firebox of the woodstove and set the wood ablaze. The pop and crackle of the fire brought a symphony of sound into the room, a companionable sound, soothing in its association with warmth and comfort.

With anticipation, I began the preparations for my favorite ritual in observance of a rainy day: drawing the drapes, pulling the armchair closer to the fire, and positioning the reading lamp just so. After setting the tea kettle on the stove to boil, I rescued my favorite book and comforter from the corner where they had lain neglected for the past several weeks. This was a day for good books, a good cup of tea, and a warm fire.

Soon the merry whistling of the teakettle dispelled the shadow creatures and called me to the kitchen. The cup of Earl Grey I steeped emitted the smell of flowers and exotic spices. The warmth of the mug in my hands finally began to drive away the bone chilling cold.

Settling into my armchair, I tucked my feet up under me like a contented kitten. Pulling the downy comforter up around my shoulders, I built a cozy cocoon for my enjoyment. A cup of tea in one hand and my favorite book, “Gone With the Wind”, in the other-I began my observance of the rainy day.

The day grew darker; the wind howled and raged about the house. The rain at first gentle, began to lash at the windows. These sounds played counterpoint to the soft crackling of the fire, to the rhythmic ticking of the regulator clock. Settling deeper into my chair, I embraced the book and with an anticipatory smile opened the cover. The sounds of the storm receded; the smell of Bergamot was replaced by the odor of the dry, dusty, clay soil of Georgia. I was no longer at home; but had gone visiting my friends, the O’Hara’s for the day.