Of all the things that Multiple Sclerosis has taken from me, I think I miss heat the most. 

I love the feel of the sun on my skin ... but just a few minutes in the sun makes me feel like I want to lay down and die. 

I miss taking hot, hot showers ... as hot as I can stand it without it searing my skin off.  Taking a shower has become a chore ... something I have to do every day, not something I look forward too ... that something that used to rejuvenate me. 

I hate that my electric bill is sky high because I can't bear for it to be any warmer than 68 to 70 degrees.  It doesn't help that I can't run around half naked because ... well, because I live with someone I don't feel confortable around scantily clad.

I hate that even though I like my hair long, it's too thick and heavy on my neck to wear down most the time.  When the summer months come, I think I'll be very tempted to cut it.

Jazzfest begins the last weekend of April.  It's already warm here.  Last year when I went to Jazzfest I nearly ended up in the hospital with heat stroke.  I'm guessing I probably shouldn't go this year but I'm trying to figure out a way I can tolerate the heat.  I've even thinking of buying a cooling vest.  They're not very attractive, but who would want to miss a line-up like this?  (The acts in bold are the ones I'm dying to see)

The Neville Brothers, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Jimmy Buffett, Tim McGraw, Santana, Maze feat. Frankie Beverly, Sheryl Crow, Widespread Panic, Dr. John, Al Green, Diana Krall, Keyshia Cole, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, The Raconteurs, Irma Thomas, Steel Pulse, John Prine, Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint, Randy Newman, Bobby McFerrin and Chick Corea, O.A.R., Galactic, The Roots, Dianne Reeves, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Burning Spear, Ozomatli with Chali 2na, Rebirth Brass Band, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Tower of Power, Delbert McClinton, John Hammond, Cassandra Wilson, Keb' Mo', The Count Basie Orchestra feat. Patti Austin, Pete Fountain, The Derek Trucks Band, Richard Thompson, Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn, The Radiators, James Cotton, Cupid, The John Butler Trio, Del McCoury, Vernel Bagneris: Jelly Roll & Me, Terence Blanchard with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Buckwheat Zydeco, John P. Kee & the New Life Community Choir, Cowboy Mouth, Byron Cage with Kim Burrell, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr. and the Greater St. Stephen Choir, Trinitee 5:7, Lizz Wright, Voices of the Wetlands Allstars, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The Bad Plus, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Bettye LaVette, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave., Gene "Duke of Earl" Chandler, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Davell Crawford's N.O. R & B Orchestra, Henry Butler, Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet, Leo Nocentelli's "Rare Gathering," Lee Boys, Harlem Blues and Jazz Band, MOOV of Martinique, Jackson Southernaires, Big Jay McNeely, Paul Porter of the Legendary Christianaires, Nicholas Payton