Hello and welcome to this bonus episode of Happier with Gretchen Rubin.

To show my appreciation for the support and enthusiasm of listeners, I'm providing an excerpt from the audiobook of my latest book, Life in Five

Censes, how exploring the senses got me out of my head and into the world, now available in

paperback. This excerpt is from the chapter

Tasting, the taste of the tea and the cake, or why ketchup is magic. It was so much fun to work on this section of the book.

And by the way, ever since the book has come out,

people have wanted to talk to me about why Catchetchup is magic. I hope you enjoy listening to this

excerpt. Tasting. The taste of the tea and the cake or why ketchup is magic. Once could it have come to me this all powerful joy. I was

conscious that it was connected with the taste of the tea and the cake, but that it

infinitely transcended those savors.

Marcel Proust, Swansway.

Because it was the height of summer, the air had a baked, trapped quality.

Except when I could find some shade from a building, the sun beat down on me from above

and heat radiated upward from the sidewalks and streets.

The breeze created by passing traffic lifted dust and trash without creating any cool

relief.

The sky was so bright that if I had forgotten my sunglasses, I would have had to turn back.

I was walking from a meeting to my subway stop when suddenly I felt extremely thirsty.

I didn't have to walk far before I found out. suddenly I felt extremely thirsty.

I didn't have to walk far before I found a handy corner store, and I stepped inside to

survey the contents of the beverage cooler.

Alongside the usual assortment of soft drinks and energy drinks, I spotted a snaffle

...