Close your eyes and imagine ...waves crashing on the beach... the ocean surf calming your senses. Ahh. Of course there's no "ocean- front property in Arizona," but from my back porch, you can imagine the sea. (a- la George Strait).

I just set up a hammock on my back patio and have to say this cooler weather's really done wonders for relaxing, it just takes a little um, creativity. Let me explain. If you're like me, it takes a lot to escape the sounds of traffic, the horns, the hum, the occasional ear- splitting motorcycle. Most subdivisions are butted right up against major traffic, which makes for a new surround sound if you're not from around here (or an even bigger metropolis). Growing up in Tucson, there wasn't this kind of development at the time, and living 3 years in the quiet of Spokane, Washington, getting used to the valley's traffic was tough. Tough to commute in, and tough to live with.

It all comes down to positive thinking (which I've found to be good advice for just about everything in life). So in my new hanging, swinging, lazy hammock, I can at least close my eyes and imagine the whir of traffic is really the wind- whipped tide on a beach wherever I imagine. Try it and you just might convince yourself to spend more of these beautiful Fall evenings outside at your backyard beach.

Email Nicole at ncrites@kpho.com