7 Things That Made Me Happy Today

Mother Nature has her ways of getting us to do what she thinks best for us. One way is through the use of happy brain chemicals - otherwise known as endorphins. Anyone who's ever run a mile, had a tattoo, or had an orgasm should be nodding their heads right now. Juicy, gleeful, blissful, floaty little things, aren't they?

Now, I am no Lance, but I do think I understand at least a small part of why he does what he does. Okay, maybe not why Lance does it - he's a pretty competitive guy, which is like saying that Robert Wadlow was rather a tall drink of H2O. Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, I feel that I have at least some understanding of why professional athletes do what they do. Not so much the competition part (though I partly get that, too - you should see me blowing by the boys in the pool some days), but why they'd have the drive to keep training and training and training.

Because after about half an hour, it feels really, really good.

All of which is a very (very) long-winded introduction to Thing One that made me happy today:

1. I went to the sports doc (long story which I won't get into here; suffice it to say, I've been in pain when I run) today, and not only did he tell me that I can keep running (thank god; the previous [non-specialist] doc had told me I'd have to stop) - okay, we must pause for a drumroll here....

He also said I can also start riding my bike again. WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Those of you who know me in the tangible world know what a fracking big deal that is, and some of you who know me only through the blog also know this. For anyone who didn't know, the short story is that I had an injury that's kept me off the bike for a good - make that bad - two years now. And apparently, it's improved enough that he thinks it's safe for me to try getting back on. Oh halle-freaking-lujah. My bikes are getting all excited in their dusty corner over there. They are winking at me. They are asking for Kevlar and electrical tape and new pedals.

OK, Item Number One took up way too much space, so let's get back to the list proper, shall we?

2. Closely related to Thing One (as befits a Thing Two): When I went for my run this evening, it did not in fact hurt like hell. Only mildly. Mildly enough that I got to sprint at the end, with that fat runner's grin on my face.

3. Yep. I bought Snow White. Now I have to decide whether to knit it out of the chocolate alpaca/wool I bought at Rhinebeck to make the wrap sweater, or whether to buy something else for it. I also have some pale purple merino, but it is handpainted (and quite variegated), and I think that sweater wants to be one solid color, so that the eye is not distracted from the amazing design.

4. I have pink sheepskin booties on my feet. Just had to mention that.

5. Shirley Horn rocks my world.

6. The way Miz Fury's mittens are knitting up fills me with glee.

7. I found myself unexpectedly in Whole Foods today and bought some of that fantastic honey-roasted peanut butter. You know, the kind that comes out of the big grinder right there in front of you? Dee-lightful.

Later PS. But now I am tired, and my nap made me cranky, and I have lost confidence in my ability to achieve and maintain a fabulous boy-harem, and I wish I had some yogurt.