Things That Make Me Happy
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There are lots of things that make me happy. I look forward to settling into bed and opening a book I’ve been reading.
You never know what stories you’ll read, or where they will take you. Or whether the characters in the book will touch you in unexpected ways.
Seeing a stack of unread books on my nightstand pleases me immensely.
Flowers Make Me Happy:
Flowers bring me great joy.
The flowers can be striped or polka-dotted, with petals turned up or down. They can open up like an umbrella or unfold one petal at a time. Photographing them in all their stages is one of the great joys of my life.
When I pull up in the driveway from wherever I’ve been, I enjoy seeing my brightly painted house and the flower beds. My heart swells with pride. This house I call Mamie has made me over-the-moon happy.
The Kitties Make Me Happy:
Of course, the three kitties are at the top of my list of what makes me happy. They’re mischievous and a little rough on the furniture sometimes, but I wouldn’t trade them for the world.
Ivy, Simon, and Daisy are my sweet and beloved companions. All three have unique personalities, special quirks, and varied temperaments.
Simon and Daisy run and play much of the day, and sometimes Ivy joins in.
The kitties follow me around the house. Sometimes they look at me like I’ve somehow hung the moon and hold it in my hands.
Sitting On The Porch Makes Me Happy:
Rain brings me happiness. Sometimes, I sit on the porch and smell the rain. I listen to the raindrops patter or pound on the roof and breathe in the moist, refreshing air.
I watch the gray sky and listen to the birds’ songs in the trees.
Every improvement I’ve made to this house has been money well spent. I love this old house—every room, nook, and cranny.
I think about who has lived here over the years. Who was born here, and who died here? Did they get married and move here as newlyweds? Or did they retire and sit on the porch after many years of work?
Were there lots of celebrations? I wonder how many Christmas trees have been decorated in this house? How many presents were opened on Christmas morning?
Did children run up and down the wide hallway? I wonder if boys and fathers played touch football in the yard?
Love & Loss:
I imagine there was sadness in this house, too.
Was there a young man who left this house in a soldier’s uniform but never made it home? Did military officials walk up the sidewalk to the front door to bring bad news to a wife or mother?
With love comes loss. You can’t have one without the other. I’m sure this old house has seen it all. The memories live within its walls.
I’ve only known happiness and contentment here as life continues to unfold, day by day.
Seasons come and go, and I watch the slow and subtle changes from my window. And with all these things that make me happy, my cup runneth over with joy.
Brenda,
What an uplifting story! I too enjoy the rain, flowers, and older homes. Your home is so welcoming and cozy. There is definite a flair for decorating in your genes. Please keep posting as they are quite encouraging! Have a happy day.
So happy for your happiness. Such talent with words: “Sometimes they look at me like I’ve somehow hung the moon and hold it in my hands.”
I’ve had moments like this level of happiness since I moved. I am now going to many parks , exploring & sharing nature on my outdoor Facebook community.
Hoping for many more moments that might turn into hours and days of happiness! Gardening, which I don’t have a space for right now, would be a welcome addition.
I do have a favorite bird blind nearby with rewarding animal sightings in addition to birds.
I lost my cat to cancer almost 10 years ago. Hopefully another companion is in my future.
This was a refreshing reminder to concentrate on what makes you happy, rather than being consumed with things that make you feel depressed. I kind of needed that today. Thank you.
Glad that you are happy. Spending money to improve someone else’s property- well- not so sure about that. Better things to spend your hard earned Blog and social security money on.
While I agree with you, Brenda has always put money into improving her rentals. ❤️
Would you?
Absolutely not, but Brenda has monthly income from her blog and deceased husband. She obviously has the money to buy stuff from Amazon several times per week, eat take away food, and make improvements.🤷🏽♀️
Books and flowers and my home top the list of things that make me happy, too! Of course, when I had my kitties, they were at the top of my list, too. Oh, how I miss them.
So glad you’ve found such a comfortable and enjoyable place to live … that makes such a difference in your life. Enjoy every minute.
Rain, cats, quilts, books, cozy corners….I’m exactly like you. I just don’t get those people who are always grasping for more…..more money, more adventures, more status, more power…..
I really thought your last apartment would be where you settled permanently, but Mamie needed a mistress to dress her up, decorate her, and make her into a nest of simple contentment. And you gave that gift to her! I’m so happy for both of you….and the kitties!
I thought so too. But there was another house in my future. And Mamie is that house.
Everything about this brings me joy. Thank you and I am so happy you are in this beautiful home during this chapter in life. Bravo!
Hopefully, I won’t ever move again. It’s certainly not in the cards! I love this old house.
So glad for your great opportunity to live in this house!! Sometimes in life, we find places that truly “fit like a glove”. I so agree on the books…best friends we can have, after dogs, in my opinion. I saw a poster on a blog that says: “There will be people in your life that say you have too many books. Those are not your people.” Hah…love that one!!
I love that one! You can never have too many books, but you might not have room for them all. I guess then you stack them in the corners.
Great post! I read through this post twice because it was just that good! Made me reflect on what makes me happy. Sometimes I tend to dwell on the things that frustrate me and I realized that turning this around to the things that bring happiness is a much healthier perspective. Thank you.
So glad that Mamie is bringing such joy and happiness to your life (and of course your family, the cats, the flowers, your decor, your neighbors, ………). The “fit” is obvious! Enjoy!
It fits like a glove.
Bonsoir Brenda,
Quel joli texte et comme cela fait du bien de vous lire !
Merci pour votre présence inspirante !
Emmanuelle
Thank you for coming to visit me here. It is much appreciated!
How beautiful. Loved this.
Glad you liked it!
The perfect cottage Brenda. Glad you’re happy living in Mamie
Mamie and I are best friends now. At first, I worried about the gray walls. It wasn’t that I didn’t like gray. I’d just never used it. I’d always used other neutrals. But now we’re just fine.
I’m like you Brenda. The simplest things make me happy. Loved hearing what makes you happy. Enjoy your home, you deserve it.
It was like it was meant to be, Mamie and me.
What a beautiful post Brenda. Mamie contains mysteries and memories of life, laughter, smiles, sadness and tears. And now, once again, filled with happiness. Your home is truly “Home Sweet Home”.
I hope all the flowers in front say “Home Sweet Home.”
This made me HAPPY!
Oh, that made me smile!
Brenda, it makes ME happy to see you so happy. You deserve it so much! I love everything you have done with Mamie. Take care!❤️
Mamie was like an empty canvas upon which I could paint my life.