Favorite Things 

I had that song going through my head. When she gets blue, she thinks about her favorite things, and, voilá, she doesn't feel so bad.

I spend a fair amount of time in the blue zone myself. I wake up at 4 a.m. to worry about something stupid I did. Or fret over finances. Or my son. Or my husband. It sometimes feels like the gas pedal on my cerebrum is stuck. No braking permitted.

So I wonder if thinking about my favorite things would help. And, by the way, just what are my favorite things?

The "white things"

I got up this morning and decided to take a walk around my yard. The grass was still wet from last night's soakers. Wet slippers and all, I surveyed the flora. Some of it, like my peonies and lily of the valley, are a little worse for wear. But they are still lovely. These are the flowers that remind me of my growing up. They were always in attendance in my mom's spring garden. As were roses. Mine are a little slower to emerge than my neighbor's. I'm thinking of planting another rose bush this year. Then there are irises that sprung from the bulbs John Chudada gave me. They are named after Beverly Sills. Always nice to have a little celebrity presence in one's yard. Finally, there are some random white flowers on the fence at the back of the yard. My husband would call them "the white things." Except for the roses, which he loves, all vegetation is relegated to color.

Okay, so flowers on my list of favorite things. Along with spring, which makes their presence possible.

Animals are grand, although I could do without the skunks that roam the neighborhood, spewing their overpowering odor. We have a wild bunny who pays us a visit from time to time. Birds are always welcome, even the rowdy blue jays. Inside, our cat, Mabel, purrs and prowls, although at her advanced age, sleeping is her primary activity.
I enjoy food. I have a sweet tooth that I try in vain to control. (My inability to lose weight, put that on the list of things I fuss over.) I adore dark chocolate. Coffee, for its aroma, taste and kick-me-in-the-ass properties. Fresh fruit, crunchy vegetables. And, of course, comfort food. I associate bacon, eggs and hash browns with the many happy breakfasts my son and I have shared at our favorite diner.

Meet Beverly Sills

On that subject, spending time with my husband and son is at the top of the list of my favorite things. Which brings me to another: laughter. We do like to laugh a lot. Someday my son will have tales to tell.

Well, having conjured all of this goodness has dispelled the blues. But I don't think I'm going to make it back to bed. Guess I'll grab the comics page and have my coffee and admire the blooms in my yard.

Life at this moment is very good, indeed. It's good to remember that. Someday these will be the good old days.