Random thoughts: Simple pleasures

Random thoughts – Week 3: List 31 simple pleasures; pick one and write about it.

Last year I was challenged to write a list of 30 things that made me smile and I imagine that this list may include a few duplicates, but I will try to keep those to a minimum.

1. Finding coins as I’m walking down the road
2. Unexpected postcards (heck, even expected postcards!)
3. Lunch with friends
4. Internet chats and phone calls with my nieces and nephews
5. Dirty Martinis
6. Seeing children skipping down the road
7. Skipping down the road (yes, even as a full-grown woman, I do that sometimes!)
8. Hearing a favourite song on the radio
9. Watching a favourite movie on television
10. Long soaks in a hot bath
11. Finding my favourite [whatever] on sale
12. Smells that rekindle a happy memory
13. Running
14. A well-cooked steak (that would be medium-rare, thank you!)
15. Riding on carousels
16. Playing on swing sets
17. The feeling of the sun on my face
18. Flirtatious encounters with cute boys (even when I know I’ll never see them again)
19. A quiet night in with some jazz, red wine, candle light, and a good book
20. Sleeping in on a Saturday morning after a long week at work (or school)
21. Finding a “new” vintage handbag that I love – and can afford!
22. Watching (and listening to) a massive rain storm – complete with thunder and lightning
23. Seeing my friends happy and giddy with excitement
24. Waking up dreading going to work, only to realise it’s the weekend
25. Walking barefoot in the grass or on a sandy beach
26. Gravy style popcorn
27. Picnics in the park
28. Finishing a craft project
29. Weekend city breaks to fantastic places
30. Finding an out-of-the-way pub that sells great beer – but that no one knows about!
31. Hugs and kisses from family and friends

Now, I know that I’m meant to write about just one of these things, but it would seem that I had a fantastic opportunity to combine a few in one. So, here’s a wee story about something that happened when I was in Cambridge this weekend:

I woke up early to go for a run on Saturday (No 13). And after the run, I had a bit of time to waste waiting for my running partner (who’d gone off for a longer trek!). So, as I waited, I found myself (literally) skipping (No 7) over to the playground where I plopped myself down on a swing (No 16). And as I swung, I noticed some shiny things on the ground below. Sure enough, those shiny things were coins – 33 pence worth of them (No 1)!

Of course, the weekend also included Nos: 3, 12, 17, 23, 29, 30, and 31. And loads of other simple pleasures that didn’t make the list.

Oh! And be sure to check out Rebecca’s blog to see what she wrote for her topic this week!