It has become a familiar scene in Western New York this “summer.” Dozens of people huddled under umbrellas and awnings. The sound of raindrops pelting collapsible tents. The air filled with the aroma of taco dip, light beer and citronella mixed with soggy clothes and wet peat moss.

Welcome to the backyard party, 2009. Don’t wear your good shoes.

During one such event over the weekend, right after someone suggested that Buffalo officially change its name to “Dismal, N. Y.,” conversation turned to the tornado that touched down earlier in the day in Genesee County.

As in, it might have been pouring, and the party might not have worked out exactly like the hosts had hoped, but it could have been worse. It could always be worse.

With that in mind, it’s worth considering some of the positives in one of the nastiest, rainiest, most dismal summers any of us can remember.

Hardly anyone is saying, “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.”

No one is telling us to drink plenty of fluids.

While it’s raining, the mosquitoes don’t come out.

Bad weather builds character.

If this were January and not July, we would be under 400 inches of snow by now.

The greens are slow at most golf courses, so it’s easier to two-putt.

You can go to a matinee showing at the movies without feeling guilty about wasting a beautiful sunny day.

The grass has never looked greener.

Many people have rediscovered religion, by praying for better weather.

There has been no need to turn on an air conditioner, which means lower electric bills.

There has been no need to turn on a sprinkler, which means lower water bills.

Women who were dreading being pregnant during the summer can’t believe their good luck.

The lake levels are rising, which makes boaters happy.

Nothing beats falling asleep to the sound of a thunderstorm.

Ample opportunities for reporters to use the expression “rain did not dampen anyone’s enthusiasm” at whatever festival happened to be hit by downpours that weekend.

Your sump pump will be nice and warmed up for the first winter thaw.

You learn to appreciate the sun more when you don’t see it for weeks at a time.

You finally have time to download your elementary school class pictures on Facebook, which is good because more people should see what your classmates’ hair looked like in 1978.

Work is a little easier for weather forecasters because they know they can predict rain and almost always be right.

You rarely have to worry about getting sunburn.

With all the bears roaming around, you probably should stay inside anyway.

Plenty of time to gather around the kitchen table to debate who is more at fault, Jon or Kate.

Shorter lines at the amusement park.

The exciting challenge of grilling hot dogs in the rain.

Your children might start doing their summer reading a little earlier because they can’t go outside to play. (Probably not, but you never know.)

A little rain still beats a hurricane, a wildfire or a mud slide.

There is still almost two months of summer left, so it has to get better.

It just has to.