Good stuff

There are two things in this life that can make me unconditionally happy. Actually, now that I write that I realize there are probably a million little things that can make me giddy with joy (like a trip to Target, cuddly babies, surprise gifts from anyone, surprise visits from anyone, etc.), but two things that come to mind today are GOOD WEATHER and GOOD HEALTH. Today, I happen to be enjoying both, an event that’s so rare in my life as of late that one can’t help but notice it when the two collide. I knew something was up when I inadvertently started doing jumping jacks this morning (while eating breakfast) and had a sudden urge to sing something very loud, possibly from “Oklahoma,” from our rooftop. It’s a manic high, I know, caused by the sunshine’s chemical goodness and my body’s natural endorphins or something. (I’m not a scientist, but I’m considering playing one on TV.)

Anyway, I felt SO good. No sluggish brainwaves, no sharp lightning-like pains in my abdomen – NOTHING. And the air smells like spring because the high is 54 today, a number that so enchants my hibernating winter self that it’s intoxicating. I wouldn’t settle for 54 in September --- no, no, I would fight the power and wear flip-flops and a short-sleeved shirt with a scowl on my face just to show my disapproval. I mean, Arizona summers are typically twice that temperature and sometimes the pool is still a little cold. But when the average high is 20 and the average low is below zero once you factor in windchill (which I don’t totally understand but can certainly feel), you rejoice for 54. You plan a special outfit devoid of a heavy winter coat in celebration. You walk to work (through the police station parking lot, across the street, under the train tracks and around the corner) and think about happy, warm-weather things like orange blossoms, lemonade and picnics. You feel good no matter what happens because you know the weather rallied together for you. And when your body is feeling extra good and your mind feels awake and your shoes look great with your outfit, nothing can get you down. Not even cranky calls at work. Not even an ever-growing “to-do” list. Not even a group of ninjas forcing you to eat 29 hot dogs … I mean, if that should happen because ninjas are an unpredictable sort.

Today is a good day. You can feel it, too, can’t you?