# Name a really ordinary, everyday thing that makes you happy. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 17, 2003, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945 "2003-03-17T06:06:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/21 "2003-03-17T13:19:51Z")
[“Sailing By” and the Shipping Forecast](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=169323) Chicken Tikka Garlic. Cats Other stuff I can’t think of at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/22 "2003-03-17T13:26:21Z")
Rain spattering against a window when I’m cozy and warm inside. Getting home with a bag full of promising library books and knowing I have all afternood to read 'em. Coming home from work on Friday evening. Hubby telling me he has videotaped my favourite TV-show ( the one I had forgotten to watch) and that we are going to watch it together tonight. Laying the cushions from the couch on the floor in a patch of warm sunlight next to my cat and taking a short nap together. Tea. Someone saying: “By the way, you were right.” Going through a garagesale or attic and seeing some plate, cup, curtain or cookiebin from my early youth. ---
**Author:** ![cadolphin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c37758/32.png) [@cadolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cadolphin)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/23 "2003-03-17T13:26:30Z")
Snuggling in **Rico’s** arms. Listening to a cat purrrrrr. A hot shower running on my neck and shoulders. The smell/sound of the ocean. The smell/sound of the rain. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/24 "2003-03-17T14:37:14Z")
Listening to the birds singing in the morning. Especially when there’s one sitting on the fence right outside the bedroom window where I can watch him. I am continually amazed by how much sound can come out of such a little body. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/25 "2003-03-17T15:50:37Z")
For me, Herb Caen said it best: “I smiled at a pretty girl today, and she smiled back. Feels better than laughing out loud.” ---
**Author:** ![NotWithoutRage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@NotWithoutRage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NotWithoutRage)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/26 "2003-03-17T16:09:27Z")
A good song on the radio. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/27 "2003-03-17T16:15:13Z")
A sunny day in March. A sincere smile from a stranger. Flowers. ---
**Author:** ![kasuo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8c91f0/32.png) [@kasuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kasuo)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/28 "2003-03-17T17:47:48Z")
A nice, cool overcast morning. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/29 "2003-03-17T18:15:41Z")
lying on the grass, resting my head in the small of my friend’s back, drinking cider. what i did this morning, in other words. ---
**Author:** ![Breezy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b3f665/32.png) [@Breezy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Breezy)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/30 "2003-03-17T19:35:14Z")
I love, love, love it when the sky gets black and it RAINS all morning on a work day! ---
**Author:** ![Mephisto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@Mephisto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mephisto)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/31 "2003-03-17T19:45:20Z")
My early morning run (which is turning into an early morning walk, thanks to my stupid, crumby knees). I love the sensation of the cool mist on my skin as I make my way around the lake as the woods wake up around me. Then the sun starts to come up, and as the mist burns away, and the dawn turns the sky into all these different layers of color that can only really be seen in the morning. Then, winded, covered in sweat, I make my way back to the car, and watch the ducks casually swim around while I stretch out and cool down. Then I down a bottle of delicious cold water, get in my car, and drive to work or school. It’s a great little morning ritual I go through several times a week. ---
**Author:** ![Lyllyan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@Lyllyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lyllyan)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/32 "2003-03-17T20:12:12Z")
Flaked ice Having no one complain over what I chose to make for dinner Having my dog cuddle up to me for a nap The phone not ringing for a whole day. ---
**Author:** ![NE\_Texan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e99b99/32.png) [@NE\_Texan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NE_Texan)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/33 "2003-03-17T20:17:53Z")
A lazy weekend afternoon, when there are no chores around that house that need doing, the sun is streaming in through the windows, it’s a pleasant, slightly cool but not cold temperature, it’s quiet in the house, and you curl up on the couch with a good book. Also, anytime my wife randomly gives me a hug without any particular reason. ---
**Author:** ![Leifsmama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a698b9/32.png) [@Leifsmama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leifsmama)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/34 "2003-03-17T20:49:17Z")
Reading a book by the ocean. Maybe that’s not an everyday thing for me, being landlocked as we are in Colorado, but if I lived within an hour or two of the ocean, that’s what I’d be doing with my weekends. ---
**Author:** ![burundi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burundi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burundi)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/35 "2003-03-17T20:50:25Z")
Watching the birds and squirrels at my bird feeder Sitting in the steam room after a workout Singing along when a favorite song unexpectedly comes on the radio ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/36 "2003-03-17T21:05:47Z")
My sons smile when he first wakes up in the morning. The smell of fir trees near the ocean. The view from atop snow covered mountains, especially if it’s nice and quiet. The lights of the city as you approach an airport at night. The thought of a naked, slightly damp woman climbing into a bed with freshly cleaned linen. Watching people walk down the sidewalk. Gluhwein on a cold day. Air conditioning on a hot, humid day. The smell of freshly brewed coffee or freshly baked bread. ---
**Author:** ![Kantalooppi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a5b964/32.png) [@Kantalooppi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kantalooppi)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/37 "2003-03-17T21:13:29Z")
Bacon. ---
**Author:** ![Mirror\_Image\_egamI\_rorriM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@Mirror\_Image\_egamI\_rorriM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mirror_Image_egamI_rorriM)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/38 "2003-03-17T21:15:23Z")
New underwear. Thunderstorms. Turning in a big project. Sleeping late with my cat tucked next to me. Stupid jokes. Chicken curry for dinner. ---
**Author:** ![fizzestothetop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e79b87/32.png) [@fizzestothetop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizzestothetop)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/39 "2003-03-17T21:27:32Z")
Spooning with Paddy and having my hair played with. When one of the kids I tutor comes up and gives me a hug just out of the blue. Baking cookies. Going out to dinner with friends and just hanging out for hours just talking. Getting random compliments from complete strangers. ---
**Author:** ![Satchmo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/satchmo/32/4223_2.png) [@Satchmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satchmo)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/40 "2003-03-17T21:34:38Z")
When you see an ambulance or a fire truck with it’s sirens and lights going, and everybody pulls over to let it hurry by. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945.md?page=3)