WHAT'S A LITTLE HOT AIR ANYWAY?

Why is it that balloons make us happy? Not just little French kids either. Balloons make nearly everybody happy.

Unless you're on the other end of a water balloon. But even then, paybacks are great. Especially since you're already soaked.

It's a good business. Big birthday balloons, helium filled, wrapped in mylar are carried out of stores and into waiting at-home arms. Not just for birthdays, they've become decorating necessities for big football games, too.

The little balloon man that poet e.e. cummings writes about makes kids

go "whee". Then there are the specialist who make wiener dogs and all sorts of animals as he ties them off before giving them way.

I still like to talk helium (who doesn't?) and blow up a balloon and before tying, let it flatulate around the room before coming to its desired rest.

And who doesn't love to look to the heavens and see hot air balloons rising and gliding above through a crystally clear sky of blue?

Put into a mathematical formula, one balloon equals one smile, visible or unrevealed, in everyone who sees it. I guess I should have used the greater than sign.

In medical or folk home remedies, I'm not sure a balloon a day will keep the doctor away, but it's practically guaranteed to produce a smile. So, if a warm puppy is not available, happiness is just around the corner when you present a balloon to someone.