No Sex, but a Sextet!

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I've been having a difficult time wrapping my arms around TMI Tuesday lately. It's not that TMI Tuesday is any different, just that I seem to be in more of a reflective, opinionated philosophical mode these days and I just can't seem to merge the place I'm at with talking about sexual acts/positions/practices. Well, maybe I could, but still ...

One of the blogs I lurk on (yes, I'm one of those people) is Volly's This is my secret hiding place. Volly tackles some interesting topics, and usually from a different perspective than mine, which is why I enjoy her so much. She did a Six Happy Things post this morning and I thought focusing on happy was a far more productive way for me to spend my morning. So, if you stopped by to hear about my past sexual exploits (because y'all know there aren't any present ones) I hope you'll stick around for a little HAPPY instead!


1. Chick 'n Dip. Yes, a little hole-in-the-wall drive-in makes me happy! Why? This is what America was built on. A little mom and pop joint that hires local teenagers to work there in the summer and has the best Broasted Chicken ever. If that weren't enough, they have hand-dipped cones - not just chocolate, but strawberry and butterscotch too! Neither of those grab you? How about a milkshake or malt made from scratch. That's right! Real, hand scooped ice cream and one of those fountain type milkshake mixers. Why is this making me happy now? Chick 'n Dip is seasonal and opens on Saturday. Don't bring your debit card because they take cash or local checks only, and they still write up orders on tickets and total them up with nothing more than a hand-held calculator.

2. Anonymous Good Deeds. There is nothing better than knowing I've done something nice for a stranger. You all know about my habit of leaving change in the vending machine for the next person to find. That is one of my favorite ways to do good anonymously. Not only does it have the potential to turn some one's day around, but I never know who got it!

3. Smiles from strangers. It goes hand-in-hand with number 2 (no, not #2, #2 ... but Happy Thing #2!). I try to smile at everyone, and I get immense joy when a stranger returns one of those smiles.

4. Waking Cam up in the morning. He's 13 now. I'm not allowed to spend much public time with him any more, but weekday mornings? Those are mine. I get to gently wake him up by rubbing his back and start his day with positive and encouraging words. I am grateful for each of these mornings as I know the time will come when I'll have to let go of that time as well. For now, he lets me have it (and I think he secretly enjoys it as much as I do).

5. Singing in my car, at the top of my lungs - especially if it's warm enough to have the window rolled down. There is just something about this - knowing that I can sing all of the wrong words and completely out of tune and no one knows ... or even cares. It makes me happy every single time!

6. Spring planting. We're getting close here in the Midwest. The tractors are out tilling the soil, getting it turned over and ready for planting this year's crops (mostly corn and soy beans here). I can drive through farmland for hours, enjoying every sight and every smell. Yes, the smell of freshly turned soil makes me happy!

I've been called simple before, and it was never meant as a compliment. Funny thing is, it's one of my favorite compliments because it really is about finding joy in the little things that makes life's challenges far more manageable! What simple things make you happy?

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