# Simple pleasures you actually DON'T take for granted... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 7, 2009, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911 "2009-10-07T06:24:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/21 "2009-10-07T14:09:10Z")
I have two that I did not appreciate until I went without for a while. The first is air conditioning. My first month in NYC I was without AC completely because you don’t get central air here and you have to provide your own window unit. I was unemployed during that time and I couldn’t really spare the $200 for the AC and when I got my job and had my new air conditioner delivered it was like tangible happiness poured into my apartment. Here was cool air! I had forgotten the joy of crisp, cool air on tap and I will never, ever forget it now. The other is hot water. The winter before last a gas line blew up in the street (like, exploded and caused the fire department to come fix things kind of blew up) and I was without heat for 6 weeks. We bought a space heater and we had lots of blankets so we were fine most of the time except when we wanted to shower. Then we were left with the possibility of getting frostbite or staying dirty for 6 weeks. We finally figured out how to break into a hotel downtown that had public baths instead of private baths (not really break into because they saw us going in and out, they just didn’t know we weren’t renting a room there) and showering there whenever possible. Having hot water in my apartment now still fills me with a wonderous glee. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/22 "2009-10-07T15:40:37Z")
It’s interesting how much of our simple appreciated pleasures have to do with temperature control… warm beds and showers, cool drinks and air… makes you really feel for the folks who have no means of controlling any of those things. I always have to stop myself from talking about how hard people had it in the past, because the fact is that millions upon millions, probably a billion plus, actually, have exactly as bad as people had it in the past. Being an American in 2009, even with all the problems that many of us have, and they can be severe, is still exponentially better than a whole lot of other things one could be just by virtue of one’s birth. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/23 "2009-10-07T15:57:13Z")
Cold water. A quiet house. Sleeping on my back. I only learned to appreciate this after I got pregnant the first time. Kissing my son’s cheeks and chin. The feel of my little boy’s soft hands sliding over my arms and face when he’s sleepy. I love that, even at 3 years old, the feel of my skin still comforts him. My husband’s smell. It sounds gross, but he always smells right. I tell him that that’s one of the reasons I married him. ---
**Author:** ![taxi78cab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47c2d/32.png) [@taxi78cab](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/taxi78cab)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/24 "2009-10-07T16:17:14Z")
Flannel sheets and a pile of blankets. It just got cool enough here to switch back to flannel sheets, and it’s wonderful to slide into the fuzzy sheets under a mound of blankets and a nice quilt at the end of the day. And then to wake up cocooned in warmth. (Makes it hard to get \*out \*of bed though!) We could afford to keep the house warmer through the winter, but we don’t just so we can use flannel sheets and heavy blankets. I love the feeling of breathing in cold air but being warm in my bed. (My husband doesn’t like breathing in the cold air so he has to keep his head covered. I can’t stand breathing in warm air so I have to keep my head out. Works for us.) Warm, fresh-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies. With cold milk. **Marlitharn** can keep the wool yarn; I’ve got my stash of alpaca. It’s expensive, but once in a while, I love to buy a scarf’s worth of baby alpaca yarn just to feel its softness while I’m knitting it up. A job where I’m really contributing to the company and where I’m valued for my skills. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/25 "2009-10-07T17:03:41Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > It’s interesting how much of our simple appreciated pleasures have to do with temperature control.. warm beds and showers, cool drinks and air… makes you really feel for the folks who have no means of controlling any of those things. Every night when I crawl in my nice warm bed I remember a scene from _Band of Brothers_. It’s winter, and the soldiers are sleeping on wooden pews in a church in France, and it’s the first time in a month that they’ve slept indoors. No pillows or blankets, just wooden benches, but they’re indoors. Just being able to get in out of the weather, hot or cold, is a blessing. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/26 "2009-10-07T17:16:25Z")
Agreeing with the others about temperature control. Here in the land of 100+ days for unbroken weeks on end, you bow down before the divine miracle that is air-conditioning. I find looking up at the sky always, no matter what the weather, brings me comfort and joy. If it’s clear, there’s that beautiful shade of blue (who decided the biggest thing in our field of view should be such a pretty color?) and if it’s cloudy and windy, it’s like there’s a whole show up there, just for the watching. Also, the feel of resting my head on Mr. Horseshoe, in that one perfect spot where chest meets shoulder and I can hear his heart. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/27 "2009-10-07T17:19:26Z")
I just thought of another one. I love, love, love stepping onto a bathmat after a shower. When I was living on dig sites when I was younger, I would spend a month or two living in a tent at a time. Since getting to the site sometimes involved hiking or climbing, my feet were usually really callused and rough by the end of a season. Usually, I would have to shower in my sandals (whenever showering was an option), so the only things that would touch my feet for months sometimes were rubber on my sandals and my thick hiking socks. Every time I step out of the shower now, I have to wiggle my toes in the bath mat. I will never forget the first time I showered after returning from a dig in South America. Stepping on that bathmat barefoot felt so good I groaned out loud. I sometimes still do. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/28 "2009-10-07T17:19:36Z")
Strawberries. ---
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/29 "2009-10-07T18:56:41Z")
A bathtub. I lived in an apartment for 4 years without a tub. I normally take showers but sometimes you just want a nice, hot, relaxing bath. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/30 "2009-10-07T19:26:45Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > A big, nearly freezing glass of milk after something very sweet, especially when I was thirsty to start with. glug, glug, glug…MMM! > [@Maiira](#): > > Agreed on the glass of cold milk, particularly whole milk. Mmmmm, fatty goodness. Whole milk. Cold. Poured into a tall glass you just removed from the freezer. With ice cubes. On a hot summer’s afternoon. And freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. ---
**Author:** ![Sudo\_Intellectual](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Sudo\_Intellectual](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sudo_Intellectual)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/31 "2009-10-07T19:36:48Z")
A good hug. A shower with water pressure that is strong enough to feel like a massage. A smile from a stranger Ice Cream Finding the perfect parking spot Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice. (I’m convinced it can solve any ill) ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/32 "2009-10-07T20:54:04Z")
Being free to travel basically anywhere in the country at any time, only limited by the need to eat and sleep. ---
**Author:** ![Vihaga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Vihaga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vihaga)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/33 "2009-10-07T21:11:45Z")
I am completely on board with everyone who said that a good bed is something they never take for granted. When my husband and I bought a house, we got a pillow top, king sized bed (after six years on a double), and splurged on soft, high thread-count sheets. I appreciate it every single day. I also think that hot baths (or showers!) and cold drinks can solve anything. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/34 "2009-10-07T21:20:50Z")
Ice cold milk. New socks. Warm puffy clouds hugging my feet. I buy new socks several times a year just for the feel. The sky. I live in a second story aparment on a hill over looking a valley so 90% of my view out of the windows in sky. Laughter. My favorite sound. ---
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/35 "2009-10-07T23:24:11Z")
A shower. I hiked the Mt. Everest trail from Lamasangu to Kala Patar (18.000’) over a period of 5 weeks in the middle of winter. Washing your hands before eating was painful. Taking a shower was out of the question, which meant, of course, I wore the same clothes the whole time. When I finally got back to Kathmandu, I had the best shower ever. Even though it was over 25 years ago, I often think of that time when I’m in the shower today and how fortunate I am to be standing under this warm cascade of water. A variety of food to eat. On the same trip almost every hamlet we stopped at on the hike only had 2 things to eat. Rice and lentils. This meant rice and lentils for breakfast, rice and lentils for…you get the picture. Every once in a while someone had potatoes. We went nuts over boiled potatoes! Today when my wife says that we only have this or that for dinner or the piece of fruit I’m eating isn’t the best, I think back and say to myself “Imagine how great this would have tasted back when I was in Nepal!”. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/36 "2009-10-08T00:01:07Z")
My cat. I am in love with my cat, a sealpoint Himalayan. His every movement, his every pose, yes, every single one, is a thing of such grace and beauty. Right now he is sleeping stretched out with his front paws outstretched in front of him, chin on paws - flying like Supercat. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Hen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/37 "2009-10-08T03:23:29Z")
The first cool day of fall. Walking through Party City at halloween and looking at costumes. Any opportunity I get to drive fast while listening to a good song. Getting a good artistic idea - art, writing - and following it through. A carefree feeling when walking into an art supply store. ---
**Author:** ![BaneSidhe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c5a1d2/32.png) [@BaneSidhe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BaneSidhe)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/38 "2009-10-08T04:13:33Z")
Cool sheets on my skin after taking a nice, hot bath. My husband’s foot rubs. Towels fresh out of the dryer. ---
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/39 "2009-10-08T05:00:10Z")
Oh man, a nice bed is great. I had to use a cheap mattress for a few months before buying a new mattress+boxspring, and I got the most horrible back pain. It cleared up within a few days of getting the new bed! The smell of fresh laundry. Mom smell. Shush, she smells nice! I’m 22 and I still love to give her hugs. Shoving your face into a nice, warm, furry pet belly. So soft! ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/40 "2009-10-08T05:13:47Z")
The fact that I can hear the annoying scraping noise that my shoes make on different surfaces when I shuffle my feet. That’s always been the #1 thing I NEVER take for granted. No matter what. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911.md?page=3)