Happy Things In My Life

This last (fingers crossed!) heat wave has really beaten me down. I've been reclusive and snappy, exhausted and lethargic, depressed and bored. So, here's a list of the recent awesome, which has been helping me set my head back on straight.

**I have now been on several successful bike rides. I haven't crashed yet, but I did topple over in a highly dramatic and painful way that was surely a joy for all who witnessed it. The fall left strange-looking parallel bruises on my ribs and hip, and some huge purple welts on my shins that make me look all beat to hell. I'm kind of enjoying it. I mean, they hurt a little, but I haven't had a good bruise in a long time, and I feel like that scrape on my right shin and the two bright lumps on my left are badges of pride, well-earned scars of triumph over adversity, or something like that. Every time I bump them, I wince, but I'm also reminded of how much fun it is to bike and how much more exercise I'm getting and how much healthier I feel. I love my bruises!

**I've caught up on last season's Top Chef, am happy ANTM is back, and can't wait to hijack someone's cable for some quality Dexter time. (Hi mom!)

**I've been slowly rereading The Once and Future King, which is one of my favorites.

**I've been looking into school again. It's a constant fantasy of mine, to eventually get a degree (or ten!). I would need quite a few accommodations and would be taking only one class at a time for now, but it would be progress. Which is the goal. Unfortunately there is a mountain of paperwork that goes along with the application process, which really challenges my poor, migraine-addled brain. And then I get discouraged, how would I possibly do well in school if I can't even manage to apply? Which is just fear talking, and frustration. Baby steps.

**I've been hanging dry our laundry as much as possible lately. Now, not using the dryer uses more spoons, with the hanging, and can trigger my head a bit, with the reaching, but I like using less electricity and since I stopped using fabric softener the static cling has been making me crazy. I still dry my towels and blankets in the machine, though. It's an indoor rack, they'd take a week.

**Despite the recent heat wave, I've been smelling fall on the wind. At night, a chilly breeze will kick up, sending the first waves of fallen leaves scraping along the streets. I can't wait for rain.

**I cut my own hair over month ago. I'm not sure if I ever mentioned it, but I'm still proud of how it came out every time I catch myself in the mirror. Hopefully, this'll mean that I'll be able to avoid the perils of a salon for a while.

**My boyfriend. I am ever-impressed by his patience, compassion, and ability. He takes care of me in ways I never thought I would need and never lets me feel shame for it.