page 132, The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett
"pleasure" is the word for today. hard to photograph pleasure, but i can tell you what gives me the most pleasure.
in my young days, i'd tell you clothes, shoes, purses, jewelry, books, almost all the material things a young person could ask for. coming from a rat-poor family, it was natural. but what gave me pleasure was that through my efforts in school i got myself off that poverty, helping my family, and breaking the cycle of poverty that my parents had been in for most of their lives. it gave me more great pleasure (and still does) that i proved my father wrong, when he said because i was a girl, education was a waste of time and money and that i would just run off with a boy and get married.
it gives me pleasure when my principles and values are tested and i win; sometimes i end up with lesser friends in the process, but...hey, it's a matter of principle!
now in my golden years, seeing my two grandsons happy and knowing that even in small ways, i make them learn good manners and nurture their skills and talents, is something that pleases me.
i have always been happy when i am alone, when i can do what i want to do, when my time is mine, when i can just lose myself into my writing, my reading and other things i like to do by myself.
and of course there is my friendship with the best people in the world, who know when to leave me alone, who respect my values, and whose values i respect in return.
a walk around the beaches, at the park, under the trees, under the moonlight; long drives (especially when i'm not the one driving); watching the sun set, and the sun rise; finding images in the clouds, then sitting down for a big bowl of ice cream with all the trimmings (lactose intolerance be damned!).
Lovely Summerfield! ~ Similar to you~ family, nature are two of my pleasures. ~ Photography is a big one for me (I'd expect on this site lots of people will say that!)
ahhh you have such a way with words - and great pics for this theme! What gives me pleasure?....some of the same things you mentioned, with the addition of 'reading a good book under a fluffy comforter', 'watching the leaves change colors', 'smelling nice candles and watching the flames flicker', and 'using lots of half-quote marks'
Beautiful collage . . and such a great comment to go with it! Family, really good friends . . books, walking anytime, alone time . . these are my favorite pleasures too. It's always the "simple" things for me. Always.
@sanera - aha! you the person who almost made me tear up a while ago (almost, not quite, kiddo). i was so touched, sam, by what you wrote in the "thanks" discussion. thank you back. i can tell you are a good kid, good person. i'm glad that you are here with me.
@sticksandstones - wow, this must be a really good post, i got you in here, kiddo! :-D thank you!
great story, a pleasure to read!! and what a collection of highlights to emphasize! For me, to see someone have a good belly laugh is one thing that I treasure....hey...look at that...treasure rhymes with pleasure!! What a great word for the day, thanks for the smiles =)
Great collage. To me the simple things in life such as a nice walk with my wife who is the best friend in my life and going to places where we both enjoy and we can just relax . Reading a good book and of course just taking a walk with my camera and discovering new things
I'm with you..loved reading your story..foremost family, friends and all the pleasures that fullfill you..beautiful collage..nice seeing your grandchildren again.
Wonderful collage of your pleasures. I have some similar tastes. I really don't mind being alone as long as I have my camera or a good book. My greatest pleasure is knowing our maker and being able to share that joy. Thanks for sharing your pleasures with us.
Great collage Summerfield! I think you defined your pleasure quite well! For me, some similar things and a few others. My family- absolutely. The beautiful world- that too! (Especially if it involves the ocean or open farmland where the sky is big and wide and the horizon seems miles away) A job (no matter how big or small) well done brings me pleasure- I feel like I accomplished something. Reading on my garden swing on a sunny day. Watching the birds at the feeder. A good meal. My special friends and last but not least- mint chocolate chip ice cream.
oh I agree with everything you just said!! (of course). i want to drive down that leafy road, that would give me pleasure. I one day want grandchildren. I'm definitely into the 'alone' thing, I get ya. Love your principles. Friends are real friends when they stick like glue. And it gives me great pleasure to have a brand new friend that I feel I've known all my life. (yes, that is you Ms Summer). Thanks!
oh, and a couple of other pleasurable things...swimming in the ocean, listening to my boy laugh, food with friends, cooking, reading, writing and well there are some more but this is a 'G' rated site....lol
okay, why is everyone trying to make me cry today? waaaah! that is so sweet @danig DG. and i love walking along the shore, too, chasing the waves, or sitting on a rock and just listening to the sounds the waves make; watching the sky turn from blue to dark purple. these are nice things to bring with me to sleep.
LOVE, love, love this collage and loved reading about you and what gives you pleasure. You are an inspiration and a delight to know! I'm right there with you -- grew up very poor so went through a period of pleasure in having THINGS; ;by now, the things mean little but always treasured my friends, nature, my time alone, my music, my art; my pleasure is in expanding my talents, creating -- always creating -- creating beautiful things. My pleasure is finding wonderful people like you to travel this journey with! Thank you!
i am touched, CS, i really am. @cscecil - does this mean we've finally gained wisdom?!? scary! hahahaha. from the bottom of my heart, i thank you, and everyone of my 365 friends.
Great collage...With time (like in my case,)defiantly not implying you are getting old,Pleasure certainly comes from the simpler things in life. We had my son and his girlfriend round to dinner last night and what a pleasurable occasion.
I, too, spent time with one of my sons last night, planning a get-together on Saturday to celebrate Jason being chosen as one of the 35 teachers to go to China. We had originally gone to Justin's because deer come out on his lawn every night and I wanted to get photos; of course, because I was there, none came out. Justin said I had wasted my time - I looked around at him, Laura, Logan - how can anytime with them be a waste of time? And we planned another great family time! THAT is pleasure to me. all that love. just like what you show in these photos.
@steeler - thanks, howard. the simpler, the more pleasure it brings, doesn't it?
@jannkc - thanks, jann. if i had a wide-angle, too, and knew how to use it, i'd be enjoying my 'alone' time!
@catsmeowb - thanks, camille. my partner and i, everytime he thinks i'm wasting shots or time, i tell him, "but you're with me, isn't that more important?" that usuall quiets him. aha, you're going to be busy with the celebration. we want photos, of course!
very beautiful pics and commentary to go with it. i could read your writings all day long. you have a great way with words. lots of things bring pleasure, most of them involving being outside. i'm very happy to live in the country.
You do have a way with words! So enjoyable to read! Family is definitely most important to me. Long drives in the moonlight (while I am not driving either) with the windows down give me pleasure!
@sticksandstones - wow, this must be a really good post, i got you in here, kiddo! :-D thank you!
@bruni - thank you, bruni. much appreciated.
@pamfromcalgary - psalm 139. thank you, pam.
@olivetreeann - thank you, ann. for me, it's butter pecan or heavenly hash! :-)
oh, and a couple of other pleasurable things...swimming in the ocean, listening to my boy laugh, food with friends, cooking, reading, writing and well there are some more but this is a 'G' rated site....lol
@steeler - thanks, howard. the simpler, the more pleasure it brings, doesn't it?
@jannkc - thanks, jann. if i had a wide-angle, too, and knew how to use it, i'd be enjoying my 'alone' time!
@catsmeowb - thanks, camille. my partner and i, everytime he thinks i'm wasting shots or time, i tell him, "but you're with me, isn't that more important?" that usuall quiets him. aha, you're going to be busy with the celebration. we want photos, of course!
You do have a way with words! So enjoyable to read! Family is definitely most important to me. Long drives in the moonlight (while I am not driving either) with the windows down give me pleasure!
pretty ladies, thank you very much. you are too kind.