I woke up this morning to beautiful blue skies with fluffy white clouds after a night of sleep that was interrupted by rain (always a pleasant awakening). Yesterday it was rather gray, so this is quite nice. I went for a walk on the beach and then ran all the way home, which was excrutiating. I just started getting back into my exercise routine this week after a couple months being in "lazy mode" and I am pretty out of it. This is not unusual, however, as I have gone through these cycles ever since high school.

Step 1: Work out consistently and get in great shape.
Step 2: Fall off the wagon and lose all stamina, strength and endurance.
Step 3: Start over.

Alas, some things never change. Including my passion for sweets, which is being fufilled these days thanks to my girlfriend Pixie. There was a small box on my doorstep from the Fat Witch Bakery yesterday, and I knew from that name that it could only be from Pixie. Their website is right – best brownie ever! I think surprises in the mail – whether a package or just a postcard – are perhaps some of the best surprises. Most mail falls into one of two categories: junk and bills. To find something in my pile with handwriting I recognize, stickers and/or a colorful envelope is like a little present that always gives me a huge smile. I was a Card Angel for Chemo Angels last year, sending a card (or two) every week to a woman going through chemotherapy. I never met her in person and most likely never will, but she has a stack of cards from me that hopefully helped make her journey a little bit lighter.

The next time you are out and about, buy a card – or be bold and buy a BOX of cards – and send them to the people you love, for no particular reason other than to let them know you love them. It is simple gesture that costs very little money or time, but it will brighten someone’s day without fail.
And, oh, by the way, why not make it a Swirly card? (Shameless Plug #153)