Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – September 1, 2004

Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – September 1, 2004 

Things I Like

Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – September 1, 2004 – I once corresponded with a man for a few months by E-mail. Patrick and I elected not to meet for some reason or other that I can’t recall, but we had a lot of fun chatting back and forth for awhile. One of the things we did was to make lists of things we liked and didn’t like.

On my most recent “purge” of my office, I was tossing out file folders of stuff and I came across our correspondence. I sat down and read through some of our e-mails and it gave me a great idea for today’s missive.

When you focus on things you like, it’s amazing how appreciative you become of the small things that make up your life. Here, in no particular order, are some of the simple things I like:

Wooden matches – straw hats – reminder notes to myself.

French toast and bacon.

Leather bound books and a wall of bookshelves filled with books.

Round clocks – I find them satisfying.

The simplicity and precision of a paper cutter.

A great set of Salt and Pepper grinders.

A good game of Scrabble.

Long chats with good friends about important things.

Finishing a task.

Lighting candles in my den in the evening.

The look of my garden covered in fresh snow.

Knowing what is important to me.

Lindt chocolates & butter tarts.

Wide-slot toasters for bagels.

Holding hands with someone I care about.

Walking along a beach ankle deep in water.

Puttering – warm socks – hot chocolate.

My pretend Gucci watch I bought from a New York street vendor for $10.00

Laughing until I cry.

A good cry when I’m sad.

A great foot massage with peppermint lotion.

Coming home at the end of the day.

Lazy ceiling fans – country drives on curvy roads.

Watching waves hit the shore – exquisite revenge fantasies.

Polished concrete floors – the colour green.

Watching someone fly a kite – riding horses – loyalty.

Hi-Speed internet access.

The Chieftains & Mike Oldfield.

Clowns – reading in bed – Toronto’s Union Station.

The word “gnome” – the Pink Panther movies.

A professional, full-body massage – cotton – silk and lace.

Kitchen stores – sunsets – well groomed men – naughty limericks.

The saxophone – I love King Curtis.

Listening to music as I drift off to sleep.

Celtic music – especially the harp. The soulful sound of the bagpipes.

Double kitchen sinks – wire mesh baskets.

Whales – the sound of crickets in the summertime.

The music of Ry Cooder.

George Carlin – Tom Waites – Van Morrison.

A good snow storm when I’m safe at home.

Alabaster eggs – a tea kettle that whistles – microwave ovens.

A good calculator – comfortable – a great tailor.

Bugs Bunny & Tweetie.

The colour of fall leaves – thank you notes and unexpected cards.

Tulips.

Cobble-stone pathways – the Cathedral at Chartes in France.

Changing furniture around in rooms.

Christmas socks – black turtle neck sweaters.

Carousel horses – sleigh bells & covered bridges.

A classy, well designed business card.

Seeing a replay of Northern Dancer going from last place to a 6.5 length win in the Queen’s Plate.

A cold beer with pizza on a hot summer day.

Stained glass windows – heavy pottery serving dishes.

Mini ice cubes – glass paperweights.

Squirrels – chipmunks – rabbits, raccoons and turtles.

A good letter opener – the grace of a dolphin.

Fringe on scarves – Eskimo art and sculpture – hot cider in winter.

Driving a 5 speed, manual transmission car.

A blank sheet of paper – the possibilities are endless.

Leonardo da Vinci’s quote “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”.

Watching cormorants skim over the water.

Making snow angels – lingering over coffee – fine stationery.

The word – freedom.

If you can’t find a reason to smile as you read this list of everyday things – you might want to take a good, long look at your life and wonder why. Now the corollary to all these good things exists as well. Those everyday, pesky things that make us grit our teeth and suppress a few blood-curdling screams. More on that tomorrow – but for now just relax and enjoy!