I’m not very complicated in a high maintenance kind of way . . . or at least that’s what I’d like to think.  Those of you who know me really well are free to straighten out the record if it needs it.  I know there are places I have strong preferences—like dark chocolate over any other kind of stuff that purports to be chocolate, my pizza NY style in crust, flavor–and slice.  I’ll eat it if it’s cut Chicago style, but I’ll think, “This is the strangest way to eat a good pizza.”

Wondering if I’m high maintenance made me start to consider simple pleasures.  I have a few.  At least they seem fairly simple in my mind.  I know some of them are simple here in the USA, but not so simple in other places—and vice versa.  I’m in a bit of a listy mood, so I thought I’d list some of the things I consider simple pleasures.

1. A good cup of coffee.  Strong but not bitter, with cream/half and half.  (I love heavy/whipping cream in my coffee–but it also likes to hang around my body  . . . really my hips . . . longer than I would like.  With my first sip of a good cup of coffee in the morning I can feel my brain relax and decide that morning isn’t as heinous as I thought it was.

2. A long hot shower.  Hot enough to chase away the chills but not to make my whole body red; steamy enough to clear out my sinuses and keep me warm after I turn off the water;  long enough to get clean and let God put a song in my mind for the day—that’s a good shower.  Sometimes it doesn’t take too long, but other times it takes much longer.

3. Rain on the roof . . . especially if that roof is tin. Rain slapping against banana leaves is a nice accompaniment to rain on a tin roof. Both of these are  hard to come by in Colorado.  I think it’s a great sadness that it’s hard to know it’s raining when you’re indoors.  I’m thankful I have skylights that allow me to hear the rain pinging on them.  Hearing rain on the roof is one of the best ways to fall asleep.

4. Squirt whipped cream.  Really.  It’s fun and tasty.  Sure it deflates quickly, but that’s just one more reason for a squirt of it.

5. Sitting still with a sleeping baby.  This doesn’t happen often in my life, but when it does . . . ahhhhhhhhhh.  A few summers ago during my Jr. High/High School Week we had a toddler in the group.  (Long but not uncommon story).  One afternoon he was fighting his body’s desire for a nap.  I just held him while I helped the older kids sew their pillows.  It didn’t take too long for him to conk out.  There I was with this warm little body soundly sleeping and snuggled up against me.  I was anchored to my chair so he could sleep. When my youngest nephew was a few months old, we both took a nap with him snuggled up on my chest.  Lovely memories!  I highly recommend borrowing a napping baby once in a while.

6.  A Sunday afternoon nap.  Sure, if you don’t set an alarm sleeping Sunday night may be difficult, but it’s worth it.  A Sunday afternoon nap is luxurious and restorative all at the same time.  Try one next week.  Really.  You can come back and thank me Sunday evening.

7. Orderly things.  I have such a hard time making things be in order and keeping them that way, but oh how I love it!  Visual order (without being unduly sparse) gives me rest in ways I never anticipated.

8. Reading a well written story, be it history or fiction.  I love a good story!  Great characters, well chosen words, imagination, and stranger than fiction realities all add up to a good story.  I love history and see no reason there’s so much of it that’s dryly written.  Style preferences aside, there’s no reason for poorly written fiction.

9. Time with friends and family.  Obvious, I know, but it needs to be on the list.  In person is best, but phone and skype are good almosts most of the time.  I just have to remember that the phone works both ways.

10.    A great deal on something you needed to buy.  Once in a while you need something. Really, I know I should know better, but I’m still shocked and miffed when things break down or quit.  When that happens, I steel myself.  I research and find the best price possible.  I’m always thrilled when I can find it for significantly less than the norm. I love a bargain!

There are so many more like the smell of fresh laundry from the dryer vent and a Tuesday present and watching someone’s face as they open the perfect present and clean sheets and . . . well, I could go on for quite a while.  Now it’s your turn.

What are some of your simple pleasurey things?

photo courtesy of Robert Terrell