Dear Reader:

There are some days that are supposed to be languid, unhurried and just plain relaxing. Yesterday was one of those days.

The local weatherman  predicted a good chance for rain and I was ready for it. We are still in drought conditions in the low country and with all the new plants, bushes, and trees planted in my back yard, I knew they were more than ready for a good soaking. I, personally, was simply ready for a quiet rainy day. Unfortunately…the rains never developed.

That didn’t stop, however, the mood of the day while I was waiting. It started out sunny and then around mid-morning dark, heavy clouds began forming …I lit candles, placed my favorite magazines (Azalea, Magnolia, and Charleston Weddings (magazine in which Kaitlyn’s recent article appeared) on my coffee table to read, smiled at the orange tulips just starting to open, and plopped comfortably in my favorite lounge chair.

I took a picture of the tranquil scene (title photo) from my lounge chair. (Vickie and Anne had stopped by earlier to pick up and drop off items so I fixed each of them some breakfast potato casserole -I had made at Easter- to take home.) The wonderful aroma of the potato casserole lingered in the den while cool breezes swept  into my ‘Happy Room’ from the raised, open windows.

It didn’t take but a moment for my eyes to begin to flutter and I was experiencing a mid-morning nap…a rarity in my life. (It is something about the combination of the smell of comfort foods, candles, and bouncy breezes streaming in a room that set the tone for a personal sauna of the senses…sleep!)

*Taking naps during the day remind me of my childhood; recalling that exhilarating refreshed feeling that envelopes us when awakening with lots of day time still left to play.

From Time:Health magazine Markhan Heid writes: “Actually, naps are good for most people, Dr. Sara Mednick (author of Take a Nap! Change Your Life) says. Her research shows a nap—defined as daytime sleeping that lasts between 15 and 90 minutes—can improve brain functions ranging from memory to focus and creativity. “For some people, naps are as restorative as a whole night of sleep,” she adds.

My nap certainly restored me…I woke up and ran a couple of errands, grabbed some groceries and then returned to snuggle back  in the lounge chair while watching the bellowing clouds float by. It was a “sentimental journey” …remembering how much fun it was to imagine the shapes of certain clouds as animals. Yesterday, as an adult, I had just as much fun as I remembered…even finding a giraffe with an elongated cloud forming the neck.

It was my play day…just me and my imagination. It made me realize how important it is to take time to imagine. With as many different medicines that I have to take…I have come to understand that the best medicines are laughter, rest, and play.

So until tomorrow…Think of a childhood past-time you liked to play and try it again…just have fun! Who knows?..You might even see a heart in the sky.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

Here are some daily delights I enjoyed on my “day off.”

*Tigger is so excited! His girlfriend, Khaleesi, is coming to visit for a few days…Tommy and Kaitlyn are dogsitting Tigger while the Turners are on spring vacation and bringing Atticus, Pip, and Khaleesi with them. The last time they  got together…Kaitlyn old us that Tigger was growing “sweet” on Khaleesi.

So this time Tigger got his spring grooming done Tuesday so he would be at his most debonair for Khaleesi’s arrival. Good luck Tigger!