I chuckled when I arrived at the hiking club hike last Saturday. There were 2 people there in jackets. It was early, and it was cooler out, but I didn’t think it was jacket weather cool. But I did don a hooded sweatshirt Saturday night when my phone read 70 degrees. I was stunned that I felt so cool at that temperature. There’s something about this sweltering humid swamp heat that makes a 5 degree drop feel amazing. Even Ashok will walk outside and sniff at the air in excitement.

My friend Gretchen sent me this video (I can’t seem to embed it, so you’ll have to click through) about Southerners and that first sweet taste of fall:

http://www.frequency.com/video/when-southerners-feel-that-first-fall/193895100?cid=5-1126

Last night, my gay boyfriend Michael texted me a pic of his gumbo. I laughed and ribbed him about him about “signs of winter” now that the temps have dropped below 90. Down here in Louisiana, when the first cool front comes through, and the humidity drops, it is such a relief that we all momentarily go crazy and slip into a denial that this is a 2-3 day reprieve. But, I’ll take it. I’ve even set aside my iced cold brew for the last two days in favor of a hot latte. I haven’t started craving apple pie yet, but it’s coming. I can feel it.

I even ran tonight AFTER work. It was warm, but it was cool enough to run at night instead of having to do it at 5 AM or die. It was a beautiful night out, and Ashok and I ran a loop route downtown through Spanish Town, Arsenal Park, the Capitol grounds, the levee and back down North Street. The breeze was nice, runners were hurrying to get to the run over at Happy’s Bar, and the rest of downtown was pretty quiet and lazy. It was a nice night to be healthy enough to be out running.

I’ve been trying to find ways to make extra money. I’ve spent the last two hours searching the internet to see how to get freelance writing gigs, how to be a virtual assistant and how to make money blogging. Unfortunately, there don’t seem to be any get-rich-quick schemes out there, so I’ll have to keep looking and plugging away at my day job. Meanwhile, please think of me if you hear of anyone who needs to hire a writer for temporary or for something regular. Or, if someone wants to give me a house or set me up for retirement, I’ll take that, too. I’m just sayin’.

I’m feeling a bit content on my chaise lounge with Ashok sleeping to my left and Buster snoozing to my right. This morning I did yoga and meditated. I got all of my self-care in today. Some days are just better than others, and today is one of those.

Even though it’s cooler, I’ve got the AC going, and it’s nice in here.

Happy hump day, y’all.