Calling in the Comfort Patrol

You know that dance- it’s the one when you take 3 steps forward and about 80 steps backward. It’s the “I’ve messed up big” dance. The one where you are working so fast and hard in one direction and so attached to the results that everything jumps in front of you, makes you trip and basically drives you off the road.

When frustration has reached it’s boiling point and you’re wondering what just happened and bracing for what’s next- it’s time to call in the Comfort Patrol. These are things, people, songs, foods, exercises, shopping tips and just about anything that not only relieve stress but remind you that you are home. Here’s my list:

1. Eating a large, crunchy, cold Fugi apple

2. Walking Ocean beach in the early evening

3. Loading my bike in my car and driving to Calistoga

4. Calling my best friend Jane in Vermont and hearing her soothing voice

5. Eating Annie’s Macaroni and Cheese out of the pot

6. Reading the New York Times on a Sunday morning in the sun

7. Writing without a deadline

8. Cooking my mom’s 7 vegetable soup and losing count

9. Wearing my Uggs

10. Listening to Eva Cassidy sing ”Over the Rainbow”