The Secret of Happiness
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I was thinking this morning that the secret to happiness is being free. Free to say what you want; free to write what you want.
Mean Girls (or so it seemed):
Less than a week ago, some mean girls started commenting here and said some things that upset me. But, it seems they might have done me a favor.
I’m moving forward with that thought in mind. I will turn something negative into a positive.
It was taking me most of the day to write a post that not many people seemed to like. So what was the point? I was trying to write posts for both readers and Google search results. And it’s hard to do both.
You seem to prefer the daily ‘what-am-I-doing’ posts, though it’s hard to see why. My life is not very exciting.
I’m just doing what I used to do, writing my thoughts and sharing my home, and hoping for the best. Trying not to step on anyone’s toes while I say my piece. Being friendly, personal, and real.
As I walk around my home, I often carry my phone and snap pics here and there. Little bits and pieces of my day.
Yes, the secret to happiness is walking around your home, noting all the little things that mean something to you. It’s smiling at the memories they evoke.
Thoughts About Grief:
Earlier, I was thinking about grief and the pets I’ve loved and lost. Every time I see a photo of them on my computer, I break down. I wonder if the tears will ever abate?
It’s like grief sits on your shoulder, so it’s never misplaced or forgotten. It stays as long as it stays, and there’s not much you can do to change the timeline.
There will always be moments of grief. But now I can look back and remember the precious things, the funny things. But even then, I still weep because I miss them so much.
I’m thinking about the three kitties I have now and how very much I love them. I am a pet person, more so than a people person.
My other thoughts today are of the winter seasons of my life. How many more will there be? Is there something important that I haven’t focused on?
It’s funny how one minute you can be focusing on what makes you happy, and the next you’re thinking about loss. But then, that is life, isn’t it?
Meanwhile, I am listening to piano music on my laptop as I work, free on Amazon.
Things Aren’t Made Like They Used to Be:
Last week, I had to have an appliance person come look at my Whirlpool washing machine, which is just over a year old. They sure don’t make them like they used to. I will pay nearly $400 to fix it. And I don’t think I paid more than $600 for it new.
It’s like my car fender. Bent and broken into pieces like a giant piece of hard plastic. They used to make things more durable; at least they seemed to last longer.
Greg came and duct-taped my car so the pieces won’t fall off. That’s as good as it’s going to get, because I’m not paying to fix it again if it’s that easy to break.
The Empire of AI:
Last night, I finished reading the New York Times’ bestseller, Empire of AI, by Karen Hao. In the name of technology and professional hubris, more and more data centers are being built.
To accomplish all this, highly specialized computing hardware is designed to handle massive data processing tasks. The humans “cleaning up” that data work for sweatshop wages.
The core truth of this vastly disruptive sector is that its vision of success requires an almost unprecedented amount of resources. And toward what end? They don’t seem able to define that.
A Cat in My Lap:
For a time, Daisy plopped herself in my lap, and when I tried to type around her, she bit my fingers with her sharp little teeth.
Cats are rather opinionated. If it’s their opinion that you should stop what you’re doing to give them attention, then that’s what will happen. There’s no swaying them.
This is actually the longest she has sat in my lap. Daisy has a purr that sounds like a car motor.
Finally, she saw something (I imagine a bird) flying outside the window, and she took off. She is a pretty little thing with her amber eyes and perfect markings.
Ivy and Simon must be off somewhere sleeping after their morning meal.
A Winter Storm:
We are bracing for a major winter storm. I’ve heard we’ll probably get snow on Saturday, something that doesn’t happen very often around here. Both my daughters have checked in to see if I need anything before it begins.
I am one of those people who likes to think way ahead so that I never run out of anything. It’s storing it all that is the problem.
Kasi said she went to Walmart this morning, and it was pretty slim pickings. I imagine all the stores are like that. People here view a snowstorm as a potential avalanche. They want to be well prepared.
I’m looking forward to that homemade soup Kendra has said she’ll bring. I think she said she’s making it tomorrow. I’m ready for homemade soup!
This Year’s Seed Catalogs:
I’m also looking forward to taking a look at the two seed catalogs that arrived last month. Deciding what I want to plant.
I think I’ll plant cherry tomatoes and maybe cucumbers. Of course, there will be chives. And all this will be in containers. I think I’ve mastered growing plants, flowers, and herbs in containers by now.
Planting in containers is easier for us older folks, so we don’t have to stoop. And if you have a little rolling cart to sit on while you plant, that’s even better!
The Many Mixed Scents:
I’m imagining the scent of lemon balm, pineapple sage, and lemon verbena. That sweet aromatic scent of alyssum that always fades away when the heat of summer arrives.
Perky little petunias that have scalloped, dainty flowers. Clusters of geraniums on long stems. And standing back to take photos to remember the summer garden by.
I guess it’s time for my cup of coffee. It will have a bit of half-and-half, a dab of coffee creamer, and then I’ll stir it.
Maybe I’ll sit here with my steaming cup of coffee and go back through last summer’s images, reliving the joy.
I really enjoyed the perspective on finding happiness through small, intentional improvements in daily life. Creating comfortable and pleasant surroundings truly impacts mood and motivation. I’ve noticed that even maintaining outdoor spaces, like keeping driveways or walkways clean, can bring a sense of order and satisfaction. Using reliable solutions such as asphalt cleaner helps maintain surfaces safely and efficiently, which supports that feeling of care for your environment. When spaces look well-maintained, it encourages relaxation and pride in everyday routines. Simple efforts like these often contribute to long-term happiness and help create a welcoming atmosphere for family and guests.
Please don’t let the bullies silence you. We all need to join together, speak up, and protect the first amendment. If they don’t like what you say they still need to be kind & polite, and just not read your posts. Saying mean things is never ok. Never.
I just had a late lunch of my homemade soup – lemon chicken with rice. Comforting and warm for a frigid cold day. When I woke up, it was -35 with the wind chill factor. We are far enough north in IL where we are dodging the snow storm, but obviously, not the ridiculously cold temps.
I can’t believe it’ll cost $400 to fix your washing machine that’s only a year old. That’s crazy. It’s true that they don’t make things like they used to. My friend’s refrigerator recently broke. It was only 6 years old. The appliance repair man was honest and told them the repairs would cost almost as much as a new refrigerator.
We just had our original furnace replaced two years ago. It was about 35 years old. Can you imagine a furnace nowadays lasting that long? Or even half that long?
My son just hit/clipped the hind end of a deer as it ran out in front of his car on his way home from work the other night. It cracked the front of his car and it’s hanging a little, but he’s not going to get it fixed. I think his car is 14 years old. Some things are just not worth the money to fix. So I hear you about not repairing your car either.
Stay safe and warm with the snowstorm! And enjoy your soup.
I’ve read this fact multiple times: Grocery stores have only a three-day supply of food. Any time there is a disruption of the supply chain, store shelves empty very quickly, and may take several days to restock. I’ve begun to maintain a week’s worth of pantry and refrigerated items. Being 75 years old, going without sustenance for three to six days could be very harmful to my health.
PS…as to pets. I think one day you will cry less. I do not have photos around easily seen for the most part…so I do not come across ones of our dogs either. Our last dog was beyond belief…other people were so impressed with her too. We still feel so blessed we had her. We took very good care of her and loved her to pieces. She lived to 16.5 yrs tho generally dogs her size only live to 11 or 12. The vets always thought we did all humanly possible for her. I so look forward to being with her again in the next life, as well as several others of the special dogs we had. We happily speak often of her among ourselves. We grieved very heavy tho for a long time. As my Hubby said, “why should we not grieve over her like this? She loved us more than nearly all humans we know.” True. Most of the dogs I had, Hubby tolerated…it says a lot as to how much he loved our wonderful Ebony!!
We have heard all sorts of things about what is coming here with weather. I just hope the bad predictions are wrong. One year when we first lived in NC, the freezing rain caused a complete power outage for 4 or 5 days. We had a generator and fuel. We found we could run it here and there (from open garage) and keep the fridge, deep freezer, hot water heater, plus some heat, and well going for water…and I think Hubby must have put the stove on it, or microwave, or electric skillet on it so I could cook some. But not all at once of course. We even were able to run some very long extention cords over to the neighbors next door and we kept them going too during that time, alternating between us. But of course, having a generator in apts won’t work. So our son has it. He and his son had to work on it but they got it up and running so now they can be ok. Their youngest child is very fragile so they will need it. We have a small jackery battery. It also has attachments to set up for solar power charging as well. We have only used it once. We just checked it yesterday and it has 100% power even after sitting a year. It has been very good. We need it esp. for Hubby’s power recliner. You might find it useful to get too, if these crazy storms are going to keep coming. Sometimes here the storms go around us…so am hoping and praying that will be so again.
Stay warm. Elizabeth
I really enjoy your posts. I hope you will not let snarky comments ruin the pleasure you have writing here. So keep up the good work. Stay safe and warm during the snow fall. We expect at lest 8 to 12 inches here. So will do the same.
I enjoy your blog immensely. Ignore the negativity and the naysayers. I have a sweet little Coton du Tulear, an adorable little white rescue dog, Zoe. Animals give us such joy. Have a wonderful day and stay snuggly warm.
Hi Brenda!
I’m Marie, a Filipina.
I just want to say that I’m a big fan of your blog. As a college professor who loves reading and writing, I truly enjoy the way you share your thoughts and stories. Reading about your “cozy little house” feels comforting and inspiring. Please keep doing what you love—your writing is a joy to read.
Hi Brenda,
I love homemade soup too and continue to make most of mine. Rarely now do I open a can of soup unless it’s French onion.
I remember you use to make it too, freezing extra. I always enjoyed hearing about your baked potatoes you’d make for yourself. I like simple foods.
I went to the store Monday to make sure I had everything I needed for the impending storm. Then made a trip yesterday morning to get a few items I still needed. Sometimes I have to go to different locations to get what I need.
I think I was just lucky yesterday as people are saying the stores are low on stock today.
I am more concerned than normal over the storm coming. When the slab leak was repaired, they moved the lines through the attic. The lines are insulated but it gets really cold up there. So even though I will get to listen to the back faucets dripping, I just hear money dripping instead. I will sleep in the living room where it is the warmest and pray that I don’t wake up to water coming out of the ceiling.
Thank you for sharing your life with use.
What an adorable photo of Daisy. Freedom is definitely tops. What I find odd, is that the mean people, the ones who are rude, those who gaslight, hate on you, activists that break laws and ruin businesses, break into churches recently, all those seem to want freedom – freedom to really have no law and order or consequences and by doing what they do, don’t give the same freedom rights to us. Oxymoron, don’t you think? The world is a mess. Parents and schools are a mess as schools don’t teach anymore, other than what you should think rather than how to think; not how to read or do math. It’s really a mess, all so that they can freely live in a lawless way. So I like your blog. I like the simple things you write about. The world needs normal.
I am catching up. I liked your What Color is the Sky post, many good thoughts. One of my sisters is facing some life-changing problems; another sister framed that Leonard Cohen quote for her for encouragement. I can’t wait to see your bookshelves.
Your posts are getting better and better, Brenda! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your feelings!
My thoughts are not very interesting, but I’m happy to share them!
Last year I bought some San Marzano tomato plants at HEB for my containers. They were so prolific and had the best flavor. I hope I can find some again this year.
Hi Brenda, we don’t have that store here. But I’ll check to see if I can find those tomato plants.
I once had a co-worker who had funny cartoons and sayings on her small bulletin board. Two noteworthy ones were “Don’t let the Buzzards get You down” and another “It’s hard to soar like an eagle when you work with buzzards.” Good advice for anyone who writes a Blog. Personally, I have found a new form of relaxation. Like you, I love pretty homes and interior design. Just found on ‘You Tube’ an abundance of home tours and design sites with pretty background music — so relaxing and my kind of fun on a cold day.
There is a lot of free content out there to access.
We are lucky to be able to say and write whatever we choose so let the naysayers have their say until they have nothing else to say. Just don’t allow them to get into your head and ruin your day. Write your thoughts on your blog and let everything else fall by the wayside.
I love and enjoy homemade soups and find myself making them on a very regular basis. Ironically, tomorrow I’m going to make a pot of chicken and rice soup. Yum!!! I have the makings in the freezer and pantry for two other soups – Double Yum!! We’re expecting colder temps, as well but nothing like others are anticipating.
Stay warm and cozy with the kitties and enjoy your day.
Hi Darlene, I let it get me down for a day, and then I shrugged it off.
Brenda I can identify with being sad over the pets we no longer have. Every time I pass by the vet’s office where we took our dog Hannah it makes me sad. She was only seven when she died from cancer. My husband took her I couldn’t go. When we got Kassie I switched vet offices because I couldn’t bring myself to go in where Hannah was the last time. I thought of your incident you wrote about when I realized the percolator was plugged in without the coffee basket and lid. It was making the weirdest noise. Snow is no stranger here but when I went food shopping this morning the store was packed. They are predicting a foot for this area of Pennsylvania. Stay warm.
Hi Maryann, the memories stay with you, and so does the grief.
Brenda, I sometimes sit and think about the season of life I’m in. Then I eat chocolate! 😉
If I believe the weather people this could possibly be the storm of the last 25 years! Of course it’s the ice that’s so dangerous. I’m just hoping the electric holds up.
I too am dreaming about the upcoming planting season. I find those cherry tomatoes produce so much better than the regular ones. At least for me.
You batten down the hatches and stay safe during this awful winter weather!
Hi Tessa, I’ve never had much luck with regular tomatoes. I’ve had much better luck with cherry tomatoes. Oh, please don’t let the power go out! (I have the chocolate habit too!)
Oh Brenda, I laughed at Daisy taking over your lap. My little dog does the same after breakfast. She will just move my iPad out of the way. Little Lupè Lu thinks she pays the rent😍
I too am beginning to think of what my pots will look like this summer. Surely something to look forward to on these cold days.
Hi Pat, thinking about what you might plant is half the fun!
I can’t imagine why someone would post a mean or negative statement on your blog. If a person can’t say something nice, why comment?? I think the way I think, maybe because I’m old (86) and I was brought up to respect others.
Your blog brings so much joy to all of us, as I wrote the other day, I would be lost without your words and pictures.
I love the picture of Daisy, she is certainly beautiful and those eyes look into your soul.
This weather really does call for homemade soup. Just two days ago I made chicken soup with homemade dumplings. So tasty and we have enough in the freezer for another meal. I always make enough for two meals.
Enjoy your soup, and stay warm in you cozy home.. Hugs from Wisconsin
Hi Bonnie, I haven’t chicken and dumplings in ages! Sounds so good. And age is just a number….
Brenda,
You keep the faith & write what you want ! plus I love seeing the pictures of the cats..
I know alot of people who love their animals & prefer to spend time with them , more so then humans .
Pets don’t have conditions; they just need to be fed and loved. They love you no matter what.
Reading about the secrets of happiness reminds me to appreciate the small, quiet moments in life. To make my digital reading time more peaceful and less straining on the eyes, I always ensure my screen is perfectly calibrated. Switching between colors like white reveals backlight bleed fast, and a simple black screen utility works smoothly in my browser. It’s a tiny step toward creating a more ‘cozy’ and clear digital environment for myself