Living in the NW, sunshine and blue sky are sometimes a rare commodity especially in the long months of December through July first. Sometimes it could be late September through July. I’m not kidding you know. It really is wet for way too long. It is no rare coincidence the highest suicide rates are in Seattle where gray skies prevail. One of my favorite authors Tom Robbins, a Seattle-ite himself, years ago wrote in ‘Still Life with Woodpecker,’ one of the best solutions to solving the challenges with heavy rain, umbrellas, raincoats, and blackberry brambles. Blackberries grow rampant taking over roadsides, hill and dale, and many people’s backyards. They are also fabulous to  eat. Tom suggested (and yes I feel as if he’s a good friend having read many of his hilarious and outrageous tales) Seattle-ites would be best served by building trelisses across the skyscrapers and allowing the blackberry brambles to grow and spread, creating a canopy over the city. These wonderful rain protective barriers would then provide enough fruit for the city to eat every delectable blackberry delight possible. No more umbrellas, no more raincoats. No more bad attitudes. What a thought!

Fortunately I’m not one to go down-the-rabbit-hole of despondency with the gray weather, however I do supplement my diet with high doses of vitamin D, and up it even more on those really dark dreary days. Taking 10,000 ml of D is not unreasonable during the winter months. It can make a remarkable difference in your overall well being.

Sunshine for me has always been vital, uplifting and nothing to take for granted. Because of these feelings, when the sun is out, I take advantage of the beauty and warmth, heading outdoors for a walk or bike ride. I feel it’s a wonderful gift to cherish and embrace.  Ironically too, on a completely different note, people from all over the world, and I mean that literally, have given me the moniker of ‘sunshine’ in their messages, salutations and greetings. Somewhere, somehow, my appreciation must shine through for others to take notice, so guess there’s no big surprise my favorite colors are orange and bright yellow – yes the colors of sunshine.

At one juncture I even took the time to find songs with words wrapped around blue skies, sunny days and feeling happy. I have many on my iphone to play when necessary, changing my attitude about the dark and dismal atmosphere. It really does help singing as loudly as possible (without seeming like a total wack-job,) to clear out the overwhelming shadows lurking in the corners. I highly recommend it.

I thought I would share one of my favorite happy songs from the 80’s. May you enjoy ‘walking on sunshine’ along with me.

Cosmic sunshine to you.