November 1, 2026
What are your pet peeves and simple pleasures? Here are mine, in no particular order.
Pet Peeves:
A house with a front door that no one uses
Forgetting to pack something and then having to buy it with “vacation dollars” on arrival
Canadian flags in ragged condition that are flown outside a home or business
People who do not stand quietly or sing during the national anthem
Simple pleasures:
The feeling of being freshly showered and dressed for the day
A drink of ice cold water
The ability to chew and swallow
Laughing. Good clean humor
Holding an actual book, turning the pages, smelling that paper fragrance
Opening a book to the first page, starting to read, like entering the door to a wonderful world of stories, people, and ideas
Cooking
Baking
Telling a story that makes people laugh and/or learn
Having a hairdresser wash my hair
Wall calendars with beautiful photos and/or artwork
Watching a well- told story, acted out on stage or in a movie
Humming, creating my own “background score” for my daily life
The ability and choice to review good memories
Listening to the sound of wind in the trees
Looking at photos of my children and grandchildren at any age
Better yet, seeing them in person
Hearing water: falling from heights, burbling over rocks, crashing on a beach
Sunsets and sunrises
Meaningful dialogue and conversations
Walking barefoot on the wet fringe of a beach
A good detective story
A well-researched historical novel
Strawberries and peaches in season
Christmas turkey dinner
Baby skin and baby giggles
The swish of the dishwasher
Raindrops on a metal roof
The smells of a freshly bathed baby, or bread baking, or chocolates
Petting a cat or dog
