# 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:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/41 "2009-10-08T14:09:18Z")
Kind of TMI, but the amazing relief of letting out gas you’ve had to hold in out of politeness. :o ---
**Author:** ![Ludy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Ludy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludy)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/42 "2009-10-08T19:24:19Z")
My 2 1/2 month old daughter. It was not a planned pregnancy and my husband and I seriously considered not going through with it. We wanted kids, but not for a few more years. I decided that we had a loving marriage, are financially secure, own a house, and frankly I couldn’t think of a good reason to abort. She is so beautiful, has a great temperament (she sleeps through the night already), and her smile just melts my heart. So her, and flannel sheets.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/43 "2009-10-08T19:42:04Z")
Wifi. Washing machines/dryers. Hot and cold running water. Modern heating. ---
**Author:** ![fervour](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@fervour](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fervour)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/44 "2009-10-08T19:49:01Z")
Swings. Cheese. Walking. But mostly cheese. ---
**Author:** ![Chopper9760](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Chopper9760](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chopper9760)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/45 "2009-10-08T21:08:29Z")
Scenery, I get a big lift driving to and from work because I live in such a beautiful place. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/46 "2009-10-08T21:28:17Z")
> [@Chopper9760](#): > > Scenery, I get a big lift driving to and from work because I live in such a beautiful place. Sometimes I can’t even look it’s so beautiful. Especially now with the leaves changing. I have to cross the river on my way home and the blue blue water surrounded by green green trees is unbearably beautiful. When the sun is out fully and the water sparkles…oh my goodness I can’t believe that’s my commute. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/47 "2009-10-08T21:35:17Z")
Cool 400 count thread cotton sheets in the summer Or 100% cotton flannel sheets in the winter. Hot fudge sundaes A wood burning fire Walking on the beach A good thunderstorm A good book A simple dinner with good friends ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/48 "2009-10-08T23:14:36Z")
Air conditioning and heat. Whatever our musical taste, we can acquire and listen to that music at any time, any place. Cuddling with my partner (and no, he’s not standing behind me). Kitties. The fact that the number of health problems I have is still less than the number I don’t have. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/49 "2009-10-08T23:41:43Z")
A cup of coffee on my deck in the chill morning of an Autumn weekend, before anyone else is up. ---
**Author:** ![kath94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/67e7ee/32.png) [@kath94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kath94)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/50 "2009-10-08T23:45:36Z")
[ul] [li]the peace and quiet of having the house to myself. My SO is out of town this week![/li][li]playing with my kitty. Her so-cute face, curious meow, lion-like tail and soft purr.[/li][li]the sound of rain[/li][li]the daily news paper that arrives (almost) every day before I leave home for work[/li][li]the luxury of taking a nap on a Saturday afternoon[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Teacake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Teacake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teacake)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/51 "2009-10-09T22:42:38Z")
Constant, potable running water and a flush toilet. We lived for fourteen months in a motorhome (RV), so any water we wanted in the van I had to carry (60 litres of water is heavier and takes longer than you think, especially when taps (faucets) are on the other side of the campsite and run slow), any used water I had to carry away (it reeks surprisingly badly), and emptying the toilet tank isn’t something I like to think about much. Having a shower I don’t have to go outdoors to get to, that only my partner and I use, without insects in it. Being able to go into any shop and buy any damn thing I feel like buying. We were very poor while we were travelling - like, we’d share one bratwurst with some potatoes we picked up from a field that had already been harvested, and that would be our main meal. It’s so cool to be able to buy anything I want. Leading on to… food in general. I do love my food, and though I say so myself I’m a rather fabulous cook, so it’s a joy. Email which keeps me close to my family all over the UK and in America and South Africa. Agree with scenery, peeing when you really needed to go, a comfortable bed, being able to get the news easily, and the smell of my partner, especially when I’m tired, sad or feeling ill. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2009, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/52 "2009-10-10T02:31:00Z")
A beautiful starry sky. Beats me why I don’t take it for granted. Long after the sun has stopped rising every day, long after the ocean has stopped meeting the shore, long after people have been paying taxes and dying, there will still be starry skies. There is nothing any of us has ever seen that has been around and will be around longer than starry skies. But they are still wonders. ---
**Author:** ![qsecofr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/13edae/32.png) [@qsecofr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qsecofr)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2009, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/53 "2009-10-11T02:20:35Z")
Watching my 7 and 9 year-old sons grow up. I pick them up from school about 4:30 PM and I’m with them until they go to bed. I also spend almost the entire weekends with them. (My wife doesn’t get home till after 7 PM most days and sometimes works Saturdays). Over the last several years, I estimate I’ve spent about 40 hours of face time with them a week and it’s dawned on me that I’m “watching them grow up”. Because I’m male too, we have a lot in common which adds to the bonding. They are my life. ---
**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2009, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/54 "2009-10-11T07:21:50Z")
Hugs. I don’t get many, I appreciate the ones I do, a lot. ---
**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 12, 2009, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/55 "2009-10-12T05:24:33Z")
An ottoman… the sensation of finally being able to find a truly comfortable position sitting in the living room watching TV. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/56 "2009-10-12T06:16:37Z")
AUNTIE NAVA! said by a rocketing Nephew. I miss the Kidlet more than the whole rest of the family, what can I say. I’m also looking forward to meeting his sister again when she’s started to talk, which she should be doing by the time I’m back. Serrano. Sheep cheese. Salchichón. Pasta al dente. The view from the kitchen. The morning sun. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/57 "2009-10-16T17:23:50Z")
Mundane stuff: [ul] [li]Getting into bed when the sheets have been freshly washed.[/li][li]Eating 100% natural peanut butter straight from the jar.[/li][li]Sipping that first cup of coffee in the morning.[/li][li]Listening to the first movement of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony.[/li][/ul] And that one big thing: my 2 year old son. We adopted the Firebug back in March. The feeling I get when I carry him down the stairs in the morning, his cheek next to mine, or when he squeezes up next to me so I can read him a book, or when he’s suddenly able to do new things or use words in a way that he wasn’t able to just last week…nothing like it. ---
**Author:** ![Audrey\_Levins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Audrey\_Levins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Audrey_Levins)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911/58 "2009-10-16T22:53:07Z")
My SO’s arms around me when I’m having an especially good or horribly bad day, particularly the latter. He’s my safety zone…my home plate. I never take it for granted because I haven’t always had it, and many people don’t ever find it. As mundane as it is, climbing into my warm bed on a cool night, when I’m so tired I can’t keep my eyes open, is such a delicious feeling that sometimes I try to stay awake for just a minute or two longer so that I can enjoy it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pleasures-you-actually-dont-take-for-granted/512911.md?page=2)