RSSStumbling across sheer happiness
Jan 27
Photo by Nature's Pics, shared under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
I’m a pessimist. I don’t often expect happy little surprises in my day. But lately, I’ve stumbled across a number of them, from the pair of books my dear friend Ginny sent me to my new favorite ginger tea. This week I’ve had an extraordinarily high number of pieces of happy and I want to share them with you:
On Monday, my brand new copy of Pictorial Webster’s: A Visual Dictionary of Curiosities by John M. Carrerra arrived in the mail. It’s a collection of engravings from 19th century editions of the Webster’s Dictionaries. I’m smitten, and think that anyone who loves dictionaries, printing, or vintage art should check it out. The content is fabulous and the book design is, in my humble opinion, beautiful.
On Tuesday, I started my last semester of grad school. Admittedly, more of a mixed bag than these other happiness makers, as this final semester brings with it an overwhelming amount of work, but I love school and starting anew is always exhilarating.
And then, today, I got two lovely little bits of happy.
Around lunch time, I caught sight of the first robin of spring. Throughout my life, the idea that the robin was a harbinger of fairer weather has stuck with me. Perhaps it’s not true, but whenever I see that first robin, I get a little thrill. I can imagine the melting feeling of sitting in the warm sun. I usually write down the sighting as well.
And then, tonight, I returned home from class to find a package waiting for me. Now, I’ve been trying to curb my spending, but I can’t help myself and sometimes I cave. This time I caved at an Etsy shop, and bought a beautiful edition of Jerome K. Jerome’s Idle Thoughts. My camera has gone kablooey, but at some point soon I’ll still Ave’s and get a decent picture of this favorite new find (and a number of other projects of late) posted.
I can only hope the rest of the week keeps up the trend. Tell me: what unexpected (or even expected) things have made you happy lately?
Jan 28, 2010 @ 08:38:01
I just recieved such smile and happiness from reading my dear neices blog. What a wonderful young women you have become.
Jan 28, 2010 @ 20:04:23
My new job gives me many little “bits” of happiness. I like my office, my desk, my bulldog clips! And the unexpected beauty of nature some times catches me quite by surprise, even when I’ve seen the sights before.
My children often furnish little bits of happiness, like this blog, or odd bits of conversation.
It seems to me that it’s easier to stumble on “bits” of happiness when you stop focusing on the “bits” of negativeness.
Feb 03, 2010 @ 17:26:56
Great post. I got to leach off of your happiness this week with the books and tea and company.
Also, I usually have a negative view of the cold and just can’t wait for summer and warmth, but the sight of everything covered in snow this morning like frosting was a bit of happiness for me during this long winter.