Things that have made me happy lately:
Crocuses pushing up cheerily through the leaf mulch . . . if ever there were a declaration of winter changing to spring, this is it! Makes me think of a poem by Louise Glück that I’ll have to hunt out now . . .
A dolphin sighting (white-sided dolphins on the starboard side of the vessel, came the announcement) on a recent BC Ferries crossing to Horseshoe Bay. . . .
My 18-year old nephew Facebook-messaging me that I should “make sure to read Granny [my Mom] some poems from her Tennyson book” because I’d be amazed, as he was, to find out how much she could recite along with me, from memory.
Getting off the 5:10 ferry when it’s still light enough to see my way as I cycle. Indeed, it’s light enough at 5:30 to sit with my tea and enjoy the view. . . . spring’s longer days are on their way . . . .
Checking my cell to find a text message from my daughter with another charming photo of my little granddaughter Harriet. . . baby smiles make anyone happy!
My Mom, who had quite forgotten about Gavin reading Tennyson to her, happily chiming in at her favourites parts as I read her “The Lady of Shalott” — memory is complicated, isn’t it?
The silky soft whiteness of my Mom’s hair . . . wonderful in a very different way from a newborn’s sweet-smelling pate, but hinting at the magic of the margins nonetheless . . .
And you, my lovely readers, you and your supportive, warm, encouraging comments. You make me very happy each and every day. Je vous souhaite a great big Valentine. Merci, merci!
And what about you? Where’s your Happiness Quotient at these days?
Snowdrops blooming beside a rock in my neighbour's garden make me happy as I pass. I've always liked the "violet by a mossy stone" image from the Lucy poems. All poetry. My mum used to read us "The Lady of Shalott"
when we were little. I thought it was a fairytale. Yesterday, my mum was cleaning out my dad's desk and she found an ancient essay (c1950) on Romantic poetry. A posthumous gift. Reading blogs in bed makes me feel content and peaceful. Happy Valentine's Day
Such a lovely contribution to my post — thank you! I also used to listen to my mom read "The Lady of Shalott" and she had me memorize a few verses. But I think many of her generation learned the whole thing by heart!
Glad things are looking up.
My happiness tanks are fueling the perseverance required for my job. I feel somewhat neutral, tired but not miserable, as a result.
I'm not sure I'd say that things are looking up, but I am. Looking up and seeing that good stuff still abounds. Neutral is definitely better than miserable, but take care to keep fueling those tanks — don't let them get too low before refills.
That phrase"the magic of margins" makes me smile.
I've been thinking about that space, spending some time at both ends of life . . . glad it made you smile.
I saw a group of yellow daffodils blooming in a garden on my walk.
One of my students touched my arm and said I missed you!
There are so many simple things that bring me joy and make me smile…
it's good to hear that you are embracing happiness and gratitude.
Happy Valentine's Day Mater
How sweet that a student let you know you were missed!
And, wow, you have daffs in bloom already down there? Victoria's always ahead of us!
Happy Valentine's Day! I love this list and that poetry has such a significant place on it.
I'm pleased to see poetry manifesting itself, as well — you can see where I got it from . . . 😉
So glad to read this list. For me, it's the lengthening days, smiles from the little grand-daughters, a rice pack on my aching back, crocuses and snowdrops, and finishing a few projects.
Happy Valentine's Day, Mater.
Oh, the warm rice pack — I like mine curled around my neck. . .
I truly enjoyed reading this post, and it's reminded me again to stop, take a breath, notice and appreciate. Today I'm wearing a bright green sweater and bright silk square scarf, and that's making me happy. We've booked several hours of babysitters and activities for Sam over the weekend, and I'm looking forward to carving out some time to read and write.
That's a good little list — we need to take time to appreciate the small things, don't we, lest we get overwhelmed by some of the big stuff. . .
Happiness quotient at fully acceptable levels, thank you, and it has only been added to by the phrase "magic at the margins" – thank you again!
Glad you liked it, Marsha, and I'm glad you've got plenty of happy in your life!
Happy Valentine's Day Mater. Thank you for reminding us to stop and pay attention to what makes us happy :).
Glad to help — you'll do the same for me when I need reminding, right? 😉
Small things that mark the move towards autumn (down here in the Southern Hemisphere), like mint flowering … Kids at school coming up to me and saying 'when are you going to teach us art again'. My daughter loving high school and signing up for EVERYTHING. Finding time to browse in a bookshop …
What a great list! I hope you get a chance to teach those kids art again — I bet you're great at it! So cool that your daughter's embracing high school. And yes, browsing in a really good bookshop . . .
There is so much tenderness in your post. Blooming joys must wait a good 6 or more weeks here, but I take great joy from the 'bloom' of market stalls, and toddlers bowlegged in their bright snowsuits.
Have you seen Neil Pashricha's "The Book of Awesome"? Wonderful 'expander of awareness' for the many deeply enjoyable yet everyday things in life.
I love that notion of finding blooms other than floral . . . market stalls and bowledgged toddlers — lovely!
Haven't yet been inspired to pick up that book, but if you give it the nod, I just may . . .
I'm so happy to read your spirits are up!! My happiness quotient is in middle land right now. Your post inspires me to go out and look for the beauty and happiness in things. Not take things so seriously.
Have a beautiful weekend.
Jennifer
I've been desperate to find something to lift my spirits — and there is always something if you look hard enough, no?