I am kicking off my renewed interested in blogging.  I know I am not the most interesting writer, but I am going to try.

When I was in high school a friend gave me a book called 14,000 Things to be Happy About.  I started a list of my happy things in 1993.  When I stopped I had 223.  I doubt I will ever get to 14,000, but I thought I might try to hit 1000 in my lifetime.  I added to the list last year, and then again last night.  Here are my latest additions that make me happy:

1. my son
2. my baby’s smile
3. walks on a perfect summer day
4. bagpipes in the distance
5. crisp fall days
6. my students doing well
7. back pain-free days
8. homemade apple pie
9. fresh macaroni and cheese
10. new books
11. computers that work consistently
12. having a president of color
13. the freedom to speak out against your government without fear (even if you are stupid)
14. watching my husband take care of our son
15. sleeping late while my husband takes care of our son
16. car trips
17. leaves changing color in the fall
18. maple cotton candy
19. comfortable shoes
20. going barefoot
21. fresh lemonade
22. apple fritters with ice cream
23. apple cider donuts
24. that first glimpse of Star Island
25. shiny blue bow ties