Nap vs the great outdoors

The advent of spring weather has renewed a familiar struggle in our household on Sunday afternoons: deciding whether to spend some time enjoying the outdoors, delighting in the loveliness of the season and the warm sun on our faces --

Or nap.

Often the Hero renews his argument that it doesn't HAVE to be a choice. If only we had a hammock, and a large sturdy tree to hold it, and lots of space in which to swing it, we could be outdoors AND take a nap.

Hammock envy. It afflicts even the best of us.

One recent Sunday I wanted nothing more than to lie down and was willing, sacrifice though it might be, to forego all the glories outdoors and let my fellow community members bask in them. The Hero felt strongly that we should go for a walk. Finally I agreed.

But we didn't go right away, and while I lingered, putting dishes away, it got very quiet in the room where the Hero was. Instead of the lively discussions he often has with the computer ("Stupid piece of junk." "Sweet!"), his head was plunked down on the desk.

Good, I thought. Now I can take a nap. And I plunked down on the couch, which very unfortunately roused the Hero, touching off another discussion of what to do: stay in and nap -- which we clearly were both inclined to do -- or continue virtuously with our outdoor plans.

Eventually the great outdoors won, albeit with the promise of caffeine at a favorite coffee house after we had finished our outdoor tour of duty. Possibly the nearby ice cream stand would be open now for the season. It would be neighborly to check, wouldn't it? Of course it would.

The ice cream stand was NOT open, we learned after our walk, but the coffee people told us it would open at the end of May. Thus happily supplied with caffeine and assured that sugary treats would be available in a few weeks, we settled in to enjoy the rewards of our labor.

And decided that maybe the great outdoors thing isn't so bad. You just need a proper reward.