Simple Pleasures

--My lab following me over to the computer and lying down on my feet.
--Hearing Mrs. Editude laugh.
--Reaching the top of the hill on one of my marathon bike rides.
--Hearing "Hi Dad" on the phone from college.
--The intro music to lineups being announced at the stadium.
--A big batch of fries at Islands.

 

Oh sweet mother of God .... that's an imagine I could've lived without.

 

**The feeling of euphoria you get as you walk out of the gym after a kick-ass workout.
**Getting a phone call from that special person, or a text message. Even better? When it's unexpected.
**Playing hoops and hearing that sweet swishing sound when you get nothing but net. Also, the sound of sneakers on a wood floor.
**The smell of freshly cut grass. Also, fresh-baked cookies!
**I don't get this much any more at the college level, but I'll agree with a couple of other posts: Getting a thank-you letter from someone you did a story on. Even better: Getting an e-mail from a reader who liked a story.
**The joy I'm going to know when I finally sell my damn house!!!
**Sitting by the lake/ocean/river/creek (doesn't matter) and watching the water move by and the sun and a breeze on your face.

 

It doesn't matter where you've been
Or where you're gonna go
It only matters where you're at
And at the time you know

Life is full of simple pleasures
Meaningful by any measure
Take the time for simple leisure
The time you take is time you'll treasure

 

What is that from?

 

Amen.

 

That's from me.

 

Dumbass that I am, I forgot the British pronounciation of "leisure" as "Lesszure."

 

-- Pulling up from way beyond the arc and knocking one down, and all the guy can say is "Damn, nice shot."
-- A give and go.
-- Reading your story the next day in the paper and not finding any errors and being satisfied with the way it turned out... even more so if it's a feature or long piece.
-- Being in love enough that you never even have to get out bed all day and it's still a great day.
-- Waking up and thinking it's time to get up and realizing you have two more hours to sleep.

 

* The future Mrs. Wills meeting me at the door when I get home at 12:15 a.m.
* An hour or so later, falling asleep together as I hold her in the double-arm wrap.
* A road trip on a clear day, with my girl and CDs picked out especially for the journey.
* The mid-workout second wind.
* Disappearing into a movie at the theater (and a rare pleasure this is, given the general state of decorum in cinemas today).
* A new album from a favorite band.

 

-- Sitting in the recliner and having the kids in my wife's daycare climb up there with me. Watching them try to make it is half the fun.

-- Movies. When I have time, I loooove popping in a DVD or tape.

-- Beverly Hills 90210

-- Cookies and milk.

-- The smell a fresh pepperoni pizza has

-- My music collection

-- Talking to my dad on the phone

-- Reading my sports almanac

-- Watching my 9-month-old son try new tricks every day

-- Listening to my 4-year-old daughter stumble over big words (ie, hossible instead of hospital)

-- Having my 8-year-old daugher climb on my back and shoulders

-- Playing with the pooch

-- My wife's cooking