WARNING:

If anyone complains about the heat in my hearing this coming summer

you best run away as fast as you can. No jury in the world would

convict me, Denise F. just saying! ;D Heck I will beat my own self

about the head if even a tiny wisp of a thought comes through of how

it’s ‘too hot’.

I see

myself buying bright, floaty summer dresses and wearing sandals, I’m

going to picnic in my own backyard watching the glorious sun set and

giving over to warm pleasure. Let me know when you’re in the area

and come sit with me.

Since

I’m on the topic of weather I will offer a few tips on what I do to

stay warm and comfortable. Ahem!

1) Get a

couple cats, preferably from the local animal shelter but do it

responsibly; they have feelings too and are very loving and grateful

companions as are dogs. I have one rescue cat that lies on my feet,

another likes my lap and five of the six usually sleep with me, even

following me when it’s time to sleep. My belly is prime retail for

them and after that my legs and shoulders. My beloved Mitzi my dog

also has to cuddle up and is right there if any monsters dare show up

from under our bed.

2) Lose

any sense of fashion inside or out of the house. No one will think

you look cute with frostbite; it’s a seriously life-threatening

condition. I remember my younger self wearing high heels traipsing to

the club in sub-zero temps; I can say this because I was lucky enough

not to be frozen to the sidewalk. Very lucky. Bundle up people you

can be cute when it gets warm out again.

3) I

made chicken soup for my friend that is ailing from flu/cold and

ended up eating it because I don’t have a way to get it to her.

Simmering water infused with yummy chicken-y aroma warmed up the

house and my belly so I felt good inside and out.

4) Older

people have stories about how they had to go out to collect wood for

the fire and chop it up every day! I include this because I know I’m

very fortunate (and lazy) to not have to do that so quit your

whimpering ways. My theory is that the physical exercise, only they

didn’t call it exercise, is why some of our Elders have had

longevity in their lives in addition to their natural diet, only they

didn’t call it ‘diet’, they called it eating. There were no

fast-food joints back in their youth and they are better for it. 5)

Stay inside if you can or at least the most you are able. The world

is not going to shut down if you take a break to be safe so … for

lack of a better metaphor, chill out. Ay! There you have it, I’m

sure I’ll think of more wise words of wisdom after this goes to

print but I trust yooz understand the gist.

I am

compelled to bring up Valentine’s Day for one reason only: I’m

gonna buy me some candy and flowers, write a poem or two and be super

appreciative of myself because hey, gotta start somewhere! I wish all

you single or coupled up snags and snaglette’s have a lovely day

and night, I will have my furry loved ones around me; they display

the kind of affection that transcends and transforms into

unconditional love. We still have a lot to learn from them.

We

Indians are descended from very healthy, hardy people, I think we owe

it to them to get back to that place so we don’t merely survive, we

will thrive. It won’t be easy in this instant cup o’ soup world

we live in but I have family and friends who have proved it. I tease

them for their granola-kelp-organic ways but I really admire them …

Keri D. Nevarez, Cheri Martin, Melissa Zimmerle … ! Mmmmmwah! ;D