even though, calendar-wise, we’re still technically in spring, around here the neighborhood air is coconut suncreen-scented, and beach-cruisers outnumber bmw’s.

summer has arrived.

here are some other undeniable things happening in my world:

berries are abundant.

it’s no secret to you m’loves that i’ve been having fun with these sweet, mouth-watering candies.

i’m still doing my strawberry water and our backyard bush is on its very last bloom.

but i just stumbled across this summer berry PUDDING and i am an obsessed catnipped kitten.

have you even heard of “berry pudding”!?!

that’s like the best two words EVER coming together and having a baby.

like: prada sale, cheese plate, pre-nup, or phen-fen….

maybe one of my culinary readers will venture a make of this delicious recipe…

for now i’m just going to fantasize about berry pudding.

one should never underestimate the power of puppy breath.

even if you’re a cat person, i dare you to find yourself a pup, and not be boiled over with giggles and oxytocin.

and stay out of the pet stores…so many shelters are teeming with adorable puppies needing volunteers for walks and companionship; just an hour a week can make a difference in your mood.

i dare you.

AND if this video of a puppy litter’s first swim doesn’t cure your summertime blues maybe you should just switch to barbiturates in your green smoothie.

speaking of mind-altering substances….gotta give a big shout out to my newest supporter.

thanks granny.

and not that you need a reminder, but they still install “wash your hands” signs in restrooms.

yesterday i had a migraine that gave waterboarding a run for its tortuous money.

i wanted to call in “pissy” to work, but it was too late to find a sub.

instead i walked around for the first part of my morning with my headache as the center of my universe; expecting the rest of the universe to act accordingly.

it took effort for me to be kind.

i did need a reminder, and got one.

a student….going through pain herself, not a migraine, but just as raw; something i could unfortunately share in the experience of.

loving on her and trying to show her kindness actually made me forget about my stupid head; all i felt was love and compassion even though i was so sad for her.

we are never alone; even in our pain.

sometimes, often times, sharing or focusing on the fact that there are others who are feeling just as bad as us, and can use support, is often the remedy we need to solve our own crisis.

at least that’s how it seems to work for me…

so there are my thursday thoughts.

wishing you a day full of puppy kisses, sunny skies worthy of coconut sunscreen, and the gift of feeling compassion for someone else.

love,

katie