A Place to Start

Recently, in an effort to get the pen moving again, I made a list of "100 things I loved". It turned out to be easy and fun and I thought it might be a good place to start. Here's mine, looking forward to reading yours:

100 Things I Love Rain, big drops, the noisier the better Thunder Lightning Hydrangea bushes Hummingbirds Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve A tenor singing “Oh Holy Night” A choir singing “Were You There When They crucified my Lord?” Paper doily valentines The smell of the thick white paste we used in kindergarten Colored construction paper Fine stationery, either creamy and thick or thin and crinkly onion skin. Email from Elaina Pictures of my grandchildren My daughter’s laugh Shared confidences and coffee with a friend. One on one. Laughing with Elaine Falatico Playing penny slot machines with Sally Dark chocolate Any baby animal Christmas carolers Fields of wild flowers Clear skies with a view of snowy mountain tops A cooling breeze on a summer’s eve The oceans, the sound, smell, taste, and feel of them. Any small town I’ve never visited before A day of shopping by myself Libraries, familiar or unfamiliar. I love the quiet, the smell, the feel of the books in my hands. I love the almost reverent peace of being with people who read. Bookstores new or used. Cold winter nights, snug in my bed Sleeping through the night Tender dreams of yesterdays My Father’s eyes, I look for them in so many faces My husband’s tears and the privilege of his trust The color yellow Burnt popcorn Burnt toast Sesame seed bagel, toasted with cream cheese Memories of Christmas mornings with Jon and Erin Birthday cake My granddaughter’s hugs My grandson’s sense of humor Blowing bubbles Swimming alone in the evening (I know it’s dangerous, somehow that makes it even better) Guilty pleasure TV, like reality shows where I feel I come to know the contestants. Survivor and Kid Nation are two of my favorites. A bargain, two-for-one coupons, close-outs and sales racks, yard sales and flea markets, I love a bargain. Laughter: mine, yours, ours. My yellow Formica kitchen table Fast food and drive through windows Eating in my car while listening to an audio book, even better if it’s raining. The Mitford series by Jan Karon. The Lake Wobegon stories on Prairie Home Companion A room with a view A Dairy Queen vanilla cone Warm oatmeal raisin cookies with nuts My mother’s pies Butterflies Water Fountains A quail followed by a line of chicks Dolphins at sea The rock formations at Zion and Bryce Canyon National parks Someone to remember with My brother’s sardonic sense of humor, it feels like home. Memories of my first love Almost forgotten songs that remind me of times gone by Fiddler on the Roof, on film, on stage, the soundtrack, I love it, love it, love it. The way it feels when my husband trims my toenails for me. Having my head shampooed Chicken Picata An In-n-Out Double-Double when I’m really, really hungry Movies that I can get lost in; funny is good, romantic is better The early show, having a whole row of seats all to myself Meeting someone who “gets me” and likes me anyway. Finding a doctor, dentist, optometrist, plumber, salesman or accountant with a sense of humor. The American flag and our National Anthem Watching children perform the Christmas pageant. Shepherds in bathrobes blow me away. Winnie the Pooh and Piglet too Eyore because he feels like family. My husband’s flower garden with all it’s tumble of colors Coming home The way my house smells when I’m baking The fresh cut smell of Christmas trees Trimming my tree with old family ornaments Small treasures in the toes of Christmas stockings A mailbox full of Christmas cards My granddaughter falling to sleep in my arms My husband falling to sleep in my arms An empty laundry hamper Clean sheets A house full of happy guests that all go home early A whole day of shopping in Solvang, California or Fredericksburg, Texas or Snomish, Washington. First Trade Days in Canton, Texas A ride on the ferry from Vancouver, BC to Victoria Island Sitting on Dad’s back porch with old Mickey’s head on my knee Any Golden Retriever Some Cats The Reubenesque women of the 17th century, I would have been right in style. New shoes A really, really good haircut……….AND NUMBER 100 Anyone who enjoys reading my writing and takes the time to tell me so.