# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/61 "2003-03-18T07:58:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ethilrist \* > \*\*For me, Herb Caen said it best: “I smiled at a pretty girl today, and she smiled back. Feels better than laughing out loud.” \*\* If I didn’t know better, I’d say, “I am not worthy!” Instead, I’ll say (as someone who talked to Herb himself) BRAVO! ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/62 "2003-03-18T08:02:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by featherlou \* > … Kissing my husband good-night and good-morning and hello and good-bye … A REAL WOMAN! What a gal! ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/63 "2003-03-18T08:28:40Z")
the smell of my favorite perfume… 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Tusculan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Tusculan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tusculan)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/64 "2003-03-18T09:02:04Z")
Raindrops on roses Whiskers on kittens Bright copper kettles Warm woollen mittens :Sorry, couldn’t help myself: Actually, I really like a newly made bed, which was mentioned by the OP. I also like sitting in the living room on a sunny sunday morning with a cup of espresso, listening to classical music. And the moment after a very heavy thunderstorm, when the sky clears up and birds start singing. ---
**Author:** ![mishaa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@mishaa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mishaa)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/65 "2003-03-18T13:18:00Z")
A cardinal chirping My puppy sleeping next to me while I am on the computer Pebble ice Dragonflies An Affair to Remember on tv on a Sunday afternoon Tulips My sunroof on a summer night, driving on a country road ---
**Author:** ![Bibliovore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/66 "2003-03-18T13:29:47Z")
Buying a new book. Yessirree, any day that I come home with a new book is a good day as far as I’m concerned. Sunshine on water The sound of the wind in the trees A nice, hot home-cooked meal made by my Mom. Nothin’ finer in the world ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/67 "2003-03-18T14:48:33Z")
Waking up and seeing my son’s (sleeping) face in the morning, knowing he’s with me and okay. Nothing better. ---
**Author:** ![gwendee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/68 "2003-03-18T21:26:49Z")
Making all the lights on the way to work. purple staples in my stapler A fast internet connection Lot’s of things other people have already mentioned; clean sheets, naps with the cat, just about anything my son does. This is a great thread! ---
**Author:** ![sycorob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@sycorob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sycorob)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/69 "2003-03-18T22:20:52Z")
Walking into my house after a long day of work. Stepping to the curb just as the bus pulls up. And there are seats. When a particularly good song starts on my computer. The first sip of really good coffee. A warm shower anytime. ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/70 "2003-03-19T01:50:56Z")
The smell of the earth waking up after a long, cold winter-- the smell of spring, rebirth, and love on the wing Skinny dipping in the creek by myself, where no one else goes Finishing a really good book Chewing Big Red gum The smell of my kitties’ fur after they’ve been laying in the sun Putting in 50 cents and getting one of those little plastic Homies at the grocery store The taste of fresh strawberries and blueberries A kid telling me he enjoyed my class ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/71 "2003-03-19T01:56:38Z")
The smell of the earth waking up after a long, cold winter-- the smell of spring, rebirth, and love on the wing Skinny dipping in the creek by myself, where no one else goes Finishing a really good book Chewing Big Red gum The smell of my kitties’ fur after they’ve been laying in the sun Putting in 50 cents and getting one of those little plastic Homies at the grocery store The taste of fresh strawberries and blueberries A kid telling me he enjoyed my class ---
**Author:** ![DEVA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@DEVA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DEVA)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/72 "2003-03-19T03:53:19Z")
- Hearing my kids say ‘grace’ before a meal - cracking up at my husband - orgasms - getting a good-bye hug from a ‘stand-offish’ kindergartner at the end of class \*\*not necessarily in that order 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![lurker\_anonymous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9fc348/32.png) [@lurker\_anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurker_anonymous)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/73 "2003-03-19T04:12:06Z")
driving the back way, with no one behind me. glancing around, without anyone bulling me. ---
**Author:** ![Laurasia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@Laurasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laurasia)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/74 "2003-03-19T04:49:59Z")
My [dog](http://www.junkbunny.com/cowboydog.jpg). There’s nothing like a hyperactive, idiotically grinning, three-legged dog to adda little cheer to my day. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/75 "2003-03-19T05:37:01Z")
I have more! The smell of my bunnies! They smell just like… bunny fur. Doing crosswords with my SO. Helping people. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheValley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@LilyoftheValley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheValley)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/76 "2003-03-19T05:46:23Z")
My all-time favorite: On a cold day, putting big fuzzy socks fresh and warm from the dryer on my cold bare feet, then running and sliding across the hardwood floor. - not responsible for any broken bones associated with this happy activity 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Lure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@Lure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lure)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/77 "2003-03-19T08:52:56Z")
A \*\* good \*\* cheese danish An \*\* acceptable \*\* cheese danish That blissful feeling of intestinal void when,after dropping off your first time date with a real goodlooking,intelligent woman,you let loose wih a monster fart,saved up from the hours of holding it in after having consumed said danish (s),with numerous cups of coffee. Next time we’ll go to a bar.At least the atmosphere in some of those will let me sneak one out now and then. And will probably lead to another happy feeling 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/78 "2003-03-20T05:23:27Z")
**WAIT!** I have to add that this chocolate chip cookie is making me really, really happy. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Lorenzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4da419/32.png) [@Lorenzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorenzo)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/79 "2003-03-20T05:44:02Z")
The daily big running hug from Mrs. Lorenzo when I get home from work, followed by the big squeeze and the declarative “I fill you up.” Of that I will never tire. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945/80 "2003-03-20T06:39:05Z")
–The smell of a new book and the lovely crackle when you open its cover for the first time. – My dog, bringing me a sock she dug out of the laundry basket. (God knows why she does this . . . she never chews them, just brings them to me, as if to say, “I think you dropped this.”) – A fresh pitcher of iced tea in the fridge. – A call from my husband while he’s at work to say, “Just thought I’d call and tell you I love you.” – Candles. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-really-ordinary-everyday-thing-that-makes-you-happy/161945.md?page=5)