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Flowers just because? Go for it. Have wine in fancy stemware while you're at it

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On Second Thought
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By
Lori Sorenson, editor

Gray, rainy weather, combined with some minor sleep deprivation, prompted a recent pity party in my honor.
Why does metabolism slow to a crawl after 50? For that matter, why is gravity so ruthless and gray roots so stubborn?
Are my children happy? Was I a good mom in the fleeting years when I had a chance? Had I been a good daughter and made the most of those final days with my parents?
And there was, of course, the never-ending doomsday news cycle of officer-involved shootings and a hopelessly broken U.S. system of governance.
I must have grown weary of being dreary, because slowly things started turning around.
It started with a Sunshine Foods coupon for “just because” fresh flowers at the grocery store. I couldn’t think of anyone at that moment who needed flowers, but I bought two bunches, “just because.”
They weren’t a big bargain, but they sure paid dividends. The bright yellows, pinks and oranges are still making me happy, three weeks later.
I shared a few with a friend, which also felt good. But mostly it felt luxurious to treat myself for no occasion at all.
Buoyed by the flower splurge, I popped the cork one night on a bottle of wine from my collection I keep on hand to share as hostess gifts.
I drank it from fancy stemware during a weeknight supper with my husband.  … Who doesn’t care for wine but was happy that I was happy. Something like, “If momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” Smart man.
Then the sun started shining again, and the gale-force winds quieted for a few days.
So, I took time for coffee on the porch a couple mornings. Reclining back into my plastic Ace Hardware Adirondack deck chair, I breathed deeply, turned my face to the warm sunshine and exhaled.
That Saturday, a neighbor stopped for afternoon coffee after I’d already drunk too much coffee for the day.
But the only thing as good as coffee on the porch in the spring is coffee on the porch in the spring with good company.
It’s calving season in the neighborhood and we talked about newborn twin baldies (black with white face markings) romping in fresh bedding and kicking up their heels — happy to be born.
It made me happy to hear about them.
Then, the Easter lily from my mother-in-law burst open two more fragrant blooms. The hibiscus from my sister-in-law that I thought I killed sprouted a green shoot.
And the grand puppy visited long enough to remind me how adorable puppies are and how peaceful it is when they go home.
I still have gray roots, wrinkles and 10 too many pounds, but I forgot about the blues and decided life is really good.
And I am blessed.
Happy spring, dear readers. May you also find little ways to be happy and appreciate the big blessings in your life.

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