Celebrating The Small Things

Celebrating the Small Things

I’ve been fortunate to have had lots of big moment s in my life.  But it’s the small moments that get me through the mundaneness of my daily life.  Here are some things that consistently bring me great pleasure in life:

• Ø  Sitting in a bar, all afternoon, drinking beer, with friends on a rainy day. On a sunny day I like to sit outside and drink beer all afternoon.
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• Ø  When the hummingbird comes into my yard, it stops me in my tracks. I become mesmerized

• Ø  Sitting on my beach on a sunny day. My beach is very small but it’s mine and it’s quiet and secluded and a great way to spend the afternoon.
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• Ø  Going to the movies. I could go to the movies every day. When I go to the movies I don’t buy any popcorn or sodas or candy. The movie is the main event, the only event. I like to be there to watch every preview and the entire movie but I also like to watch the credits. When I go to the movies with my friend, Darcy, we try to guess the name of the best grip boy. We have challenged each other to this contest for 25 years and to date neither of us have guessed the correct name of the grip boy.
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• Ø  Once a Pileated Woodpecker flew past me while I was driving. I stopped my car and got out and look for him for 10 minutes. I never saw them but every time I passed the spot I slow down and look for him.
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• Ø  I have a small wood burning stove. In the winter I had a fire every night. I love that moment what I strike the match and the fire starts.
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• Ø  Crossing the Causeway Bridge that leads into Long Beach Island, NJ. I look to the right as far as my eyes can see and hope that I see my parents. My family went to this beach for over 30 years. Every time I cross that bridge, I think of my parents.
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• Ø  The week pumpkin ale is released in late September is my favorite week of the year. I love the first pumpkin beer of the season the best. It sends me on a quest to find “the best pumpkin ale” of the season.
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• Ø  Howling at the full moon.
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• Ø  Reading a good book. I love to be immersed in a good book.
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• Ø  Sitting at a friend’s kitchen table, having coffee and she brings out half-and-half. I hate 2% milk or that big powdery shit as a cream substitute.
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• Ø  Spending time with my nieces and nephews.
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• Ø  A crisp fall night, the first moment I realize I have to wear a sweater.
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• Ø  That moment at the Springfield Dance Marathon when the announcement is made as to how much money the students raised. I am always overwhelmed with pride.
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• Ø  A hot shower.  in my travels I’ve had plenty of cold showers and they’re so distasteful.
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• Ø  Sitting at a friend’s house, watching movies on a rainy afternoon. On these days, I’ll eat popcorn.
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• Ø  Going out to dinner. I could go out to dinner every night.
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• Ø  Eating pizza or Chinese food or seafood or pancakes or corn beef sandwiches or chicken dumpling soup or breakfast foods.
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• Ø  Taking photos. Some days I just picked a destination and take photos all afternoon. in my mind I think that I’m working on assignment for National Geographic magazine.
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• Ø  That day that I get to wear flip-flops for the first time in the season. Flip-flops are my favorite shoes.
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• Ø  Engaging in good conversation with family and friends.
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• Ø  When the lilacs return.  I notice their fragrance first and then I notice that they have lured the butterflies back in to my yard.
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• Ø  I love coming into my house after it’s been cleaned (by someone other than me). I love the fresh smell.
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• Ø  Floating in the warm water of the North East River.
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• Ø  Writing. I like to write everyday.
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• Ø  Be connected to so many of my former students on Facebook. It’s been great to see how they’ve grown into mature adults. I wonder when I’ll be a mature adult.
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• Ø  Packing for trip; it fills me with excitement and anticipation.
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• Ø  Going to the landfill with my trash and recyclables. I feel unburdened when I leave there.
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• Ø  Going to library. I have a great library. It’s so nice to to sit there and write and read and listen to music. Nobody shushes me. Everybody seems happy to be there. It’s such a pleasant environment.
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• Ø  Watching my blue bearded irises bloom. They come up every spring and I wait for them in great anticipation. They’re so stunningly beautiful but I’m sad when they melt away and leave me for a whole year.
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• Ø  Herons and egrets are birds I could watch forever. They are so prehistoric yet so graceful in flight. I have captured them on photo hundreds of times and that’s still wasn’t enough.
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• Ø  A long road trip in my car. I listen to books on CDs when I’m on the road and this is a pleasant way to pass time.
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• Ø  The first moment after a blizzard when I go outside and inhale that cold, crisp air and feel as I am in a winter wonderland.
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• Ø  After a long trip, coming home to the comforts of my world.
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• Ø  The moment when I emerge into my hot tub. The air is so cold and the water is so warm and it feels like heaven to slide into this pleasant sensation.