The Joy of Simple Pleasures

Toggling for seed! Photo by Michelene Cain
Toggling for seed!
All Photos by Michelene Cain

A couple of years ago my husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas. My reply was “a bird feeder”. I knew exactly where I wanted it to hang too. Right outside my dining room window.

It was there that I could sit, have my morning coffee and watch the birds come and go. And surely they did. As the birds came to toggle for a piece of sunflower seed or other niblet out of the feeder, I gazed at them. I marveled at their color, their speed and their beautiful uniqueness.

In those moments, I slowed down. I watched, enjoyed and delighted. It was my time and space to relax my mind; a meditation so to speak.

Angling for seed!
Angling for seed!

If you love to bird watch, I’m sure you know what I mean. Birds are something to behold; a wonder of nature and God’s special creatures.

I love the bright red of the male cardinal, the subdued muted pink of the female. The chickadees. The woodpecker, ready for a fashion statement with its red head and black/white striped body. Ah, watching them brings joy to my heart!

I tried to think of some other of my favorite simple pleasures. Here they are:

My first cup of coffee in the morning, steamy and hot with a good splash of cream.

The sight of the pine trees around my house, laden heavy with the winter snow.

The smell of clothes warm and fragrant from the dryer.

Chicken soup simmering in a pot on the stove, ready to be enjoyed for dinner with good crusty bread.

A road trip laden with treasure stops, such as a good antique store or better yet, a Fiesta Ware outlet!

The smell of a baby right after a bath.

Home baked cookies in the oven on a cold winter’s day.

DSC_0195

May you notice the simple pleasures your life today! What’s your favorite(s)?

It's nice to share. Thank you.

21 Replies to “The Joy of Simple Pleasures”

  1. Well I agree with the first cup of coffee in the morning, make mine black please!
    The quiet time in the morning when I am the only one awake.
    My grand children.
    The feel of my husbands arms around me
    Fresh clean sheets right out of the dryer (seems to be the cats favorite thing, too!)
    Laughter
    Reading ‘Katherine’s Daughter’ 🙂

    Thanks for the thought provoking post! I am sure I will come up with more after I finish the first cup of coffee! Time for my quiet time to end and the day to start!

  2. I work with Senior Citizens in their homes. My elderly male client, over 100 years of age, feeds the birds every day. His feeder is outside his kitchen window and while washing dishes it is a delight for me to be still and watch the small red squirrels, Red Headed Woodpeckers, Bluejays, and Cardinals interact. My client delights in their appetites for his small offering. It snowed heavily one day, so when I arrived I shoveled a path for him to get to his bird-feeder, so the birds would not miss their meal. He has a good heart and laughter is a good medicine for what ails you.

    Perhaps, we should all go buy some feeders and some seed and take to some elderly neighbors or shut-ins we know to brighten their day. Maybe, some teenagers in the neighborhood could take on the task of filling the feeders for the elderly and make a connection to check on our senior citizens. Seniors (high school age) helping Seniors (citizens) Project has been done on occasion in our area, like April’s Day of Caring with United Way and High School Service Projects goals. April is coming up soon, so let’s get some ideas going!

    Kathryn Brown
    Pittsburgh, PA

  3. I have a feeder my husband and kids got me a couple years ago. I have had to retrieve it from bear forays, but the birds don’t seem to mind the beat up condition. I love watching them!

  4. Hooray for simple pleasures. I took a deep quiet breath after reading your post. It made me slow down. Today my simple pleasures were watching the caterpillars munching and watching the cat watching me.

  5. Jo I’m adding this post to my fav list. I love to sit on the front porch swing at my house early in the morn (with a good cup of java) and just listen to the chorus of early risers singing in the trees. Best time of day no matter the season. Also several of your other favorites I also count among my own. Fresh bathed babies bring back memories of my children and their children too.

    1. Hi Gary! I know what you mean about the early risers! I love to listen to them carry on in the morning, like they have so much to say! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment…Blessings!

  6. I have had “birdseed” on my grocery list for the last few trips and it is always forgotten or overlooked. I think I’ll make it my first priority this week! 🙂

    I also LOVE the Fiesta Ware outlet. It’s only just a short drive over the WV border for us.

    Other simple pleasures I love…
    Coffee in the morning, a walk in freshly-fallen snow when the world is silent, sunsets over hayfields, a trip to the local farmers market, sitting on a bench overlooking the river in Beaver, the feel and smell of fresh sheets on our comfy bed, and spending time with my friends in recovery… Just to name a few!

    Thank you for sharing! There are so many things to be thankful for and enjoy.

Leave a Reply to KatherinesDaughterCancel reply

Verified by ExactMetrics