A Good Day...what Makes Yours One?

Looking out my window and seeing one of our "local" does with her twin fawns come out of the brush and walk across the yard ...

Hi Clare! Good to see you. What a sweet image. Hope the rest of your day is as lovely.

Waking up with no vertigo or neuropathy. :) It's been a bad spell lately, but I look forward to remissions. Today we just got a contract on a little house near the beach which is something we've been saving for for awhile.....A place to heal and be close to nature. So it's been a good day in spite of my health. :)

A cloudy day...SO rare in Tucson and so welcomed!

My days are good now that I no longer have deadlines to meet or expectations to be met. I set my priorities rather than have them set for me. That makes every day a good day!

Beyond that, it's making the daily rounds to see if my babies are OK and the wonderful feeling of knowing they are safe and well. Getting kisses and giving them kisses. Watching how the kitties and dogs love each other. Sounds silly but it warms my heart to see what close friends they are.

Walking the gardens every morning and afternoon and finding new blooms or things that were struggling and now are looking healthy. Yesterday it was finding that a tree dahlia cutting sprung new growth from a node. I'd taken some stem cuttings from a plant on the coast and sunk them in wet potting soil but didn't hold out much hope because the climate is so harsh here. It's strong and healthy so I'll be able to plant it out next summer.

One thing, and one thing only: the sun. Marlene, let's make a trade!

No rain.

There's not much joy in having to work outdoors when it's raining. However rain at night is alright.

Looking out my bedroom window and seeing I'm still on the right side of the grass. :)

If that works then the rest of the day should be good - because I live where people vacation.






---------------
~ Bill
~ US Pictures .com

My Queen of the night cactus is in bloom again, I got to enjoy it for the next 12 hours then have to wait for the ones next year. so it is a good day for me.

Sharon, I can relate re the vertigo. Your new home sounds wonderful, a healing space. Good news is good news, no matter how bad we feel, it can lighten the mood & day. Sent you an email.

Yes, thank goodness for cloud cover, I agree, Marlene. Welcome it any ol' time, as well, some 'heavenly shade in the heat of the day certainly gives one a sense of relief, enough to say 'it's a good day', especially desert dwellers.

Kathleen, sounds like you have it 'made in the shade', or maybe that should go up into my reply to Marlene. Lol. Truly, though, sounds like life is good on a daily basis for you, no deadlines, lots of babies to love...and enjoying one's garden. Seeing the positive in everything is a good thing...and a blessing!

Lol, Patirica, If only we could trade the weather when we wanted! I love cloudy & stormy, as well as sunny & breezy. Here in Oregon, I can sometimes get both within minutes! But, yes, the sun after a lot of rainy or foggy days and the clouds & stormy weather after a heat wave makes a big difference in how our day goes.

At my age: Waking up.

Andy, 'rain, rain, go away, come again...at night', rather than 'another day', sounds like your preference...and I get it. I love the rain, but completely understand not wanting to work in it! Walking or singing in the rain, now that's a different story! Both would make it onto my 'good day' list! Lol. Stay dry. Good to hear from you.

Bill, you are a lucky man! If I lived where you live, I'd probably say 'it's a good day' out loud every day! Beautiful scene. Love the ocean.

Oh, wow, Alfred, what a gorgeous cactus blossom! Certainly worthy of her 'queenly' title. Just 12-hours, eh? This is a good day, for both you & the flower! Thanks for your post.

Chuck, I know what you mean! Sometimes, the aches, pains & stresses of life, the emotional, physical, mental, spiritual & financial, can make us not want to [ever] get out of bed...and, yet, we do! I've woken up with little or no sleep, feeling quite poorly in every way, and somehow, either by digging deep on my own or life itself, have ended up having a 'good' day, when, by all accounts, it surely looks like the opposite. Like I said, even a moment of quiet, in an otherwise noisy environment, can give us a needed boost of energy & clarity.

That's what I want to know, what makes you get up & go? No, not a cup of Joe, but what makes your day a good one when everything about it says 'not gonna happen'?

First and foremost, ... waking up.

But in particular, this week, seeing someone's pet dog recover that I thought might be a gonner. Also, being able to eat cantaloupes everyday that I grew, while watching the pumpkins mature, as I anticipate making homemade pumpkin pies from scratch.

Okay, ... that's pretty basic, but you asked.

Winning the lottery would be a nice addition. though, (^_^) ... and being able to write this in a public forum without some scam artist landing on me like a fly on ... well, ... you know.

Always good to hear from you, Robert! Yes, I asked and you answered. Nothing more basic than the garden, our gardens! Good to hear you are reaping the benefits of your labor[s]...and looking forward to pumpkin pie. That would make my day, too, eating cantaloupes fresh from the garden and visualizing home-made pumpkin pie. Basic=good!

Yep, the lottery, the lottery, my retirement plan...lol. It could happen!

And, agree, a no scam artist or stalker day is a good one!

Starting the day off with a really good power breakfast. I highly recommend Prozac and coffee, it's my favorite!

Here's a reply to the question from my fb friend Carol that I think is pretty grand...

'I can look out my French doors and see the squirrels or a deer in the front yard or sleeping under a window. I can hear the birds chirping or squirrels chattering, the sun is shining and my life is beautiful. Living in nature makes everything more beautiful and I am blessed to live here [in Ashland].
Also, working with my people doing personal training! There are those days when I don't want to get up, not enough sleep, etc., like you said, but then I get to the gym and work and laugh with my clients. Yes, we are older and share our aches and pains, plus we laugh and enjoy each other's company.
After working with them I am energized and they are happy. Really and truly I think what I do for a living gives me life...and it's not the cuppa Joe! When you help someone feel better it's a wonderful feeling and that's what keeps me going. Seeing those people getting stronger, gaining confidence, cheering them up, is the best adrenaline for me. Your question makes me dig deep...and it's a great question!'

As a teacher and a mother, being able to watch someone learn and grow and knowing that you played a part in that.

A little simpler....enjoying a quiet moment, enjoying a really good cup of coffee, my nightly walks.

I really liked this post. It's good to reflect on positive things and know that there is something to be truly grateful for no matter how small.

Finishing a new piece of art that I'm happy with makes a good day.

After a busy day of work, if I am able to go out and shoot some pictures, that makes my day even more special for me.

Love your comments, Sarah! What could be more important or joyful than helping others learn to help themselves! I'm with you on the nightly walks, too, my favorite time of the 'day'. Enjoy the quiet. And, yes, if I could still drink coffee, I would sip a cup myself, every morning. Thanks for your reply.

Yes, David, completing a work of art you are happy with is very satisfying. Always good to hear from you.

And, Vishwanath, wonderful to 'see' you! Making time to enjoy nature with camera-in-hand is time well spent...and certainly can make one's day, even if you only have an hour to spare! I also look forward to the results of a shoot like a kid in a candy store. Can't wait to check the images out more closely to see if I've 'captured' something special!

Sleep at 10 pm and wake at 6 am.

The rest of my day is all set up.


Breakfast this morning was tunafish with Cains Olive Oil mayo. A little salt and pepper
on Sprouted Ezekiel Bread toasted. Feeling good.

Dave

I had a very happy morning because I got to make someone else happy. I had an old 4x4 that I no longer use. Huge sentimental attachment so I had no plans to sell it and it still runs great. Just very old and lots of miles on it. It has a camper shell so I put bedding in the back and some of the cats spent their nights there. Anyway, a neighbor lost his transport and needed a way to get to work. He really wanted my truck. It was tough to even think about letting it go after all the wonderful years we were together but in the end I decided to help him out. I did stipulate that I'd need to keep the camper shell though, to use as shelter. But I started thinking about that last night. He's had a tough life and tries really hard so it's good if he can catch a break once in a while. So this morning when he came back to look at the truck, I signed the release, told him he could keep the camper shell after all, and then got to watch him drive away in my baby. His huge grin was priceless. I'll still miss my baby but it feels really good to know that someone else that needs it more will love it like I do.

... stretching and core strengthening before I even get out of bed, ... then the juice of one lemon in 12 oz of distilled water on an empty stomach, ... then a ripe banana, ... then a bowl of oatmeal with coconut milk. No coffee, though, because I still cannot grasp coffee love, since the predisposition for it is simply missing in my genetic makeup. The rest of the day is set to be good by default. I'm breathing, walking, appreciating the weather, rain or shine. I'm alive, not suffering miserably, able to think and reason on a high level, ... able to reflect on the privileged "misery" of others and usually find it somewhat entertaining.

My Wife's smile and how she is full of energy in the morning, the smell of coffee, and how she watches Squawk Box with me in the mornings as I slowly wake-up for the day.

A day with my kids

There's a popular song that makes use of an old saying, "Any day above ground is a good day".

David, you're doing it right for the body & mind-set. Early to bed, early to rise! Good for you. Love Ezekiel bread, too! Thanks for chiming in.

Kathleen you did a good deed and made not only your neighbor's day, but yours as well! So nice of you! I do know how attached we can become to our vehicles. I had to purchase a new car when I became suddenly widowed at 28, many moons ago. It was a pretty cool little 4-wheel-drive Subaru Outback that I cared for like a baby & kept for 19 years; couldn't bear to let 'her' go. Never had any trouble, except once out in the middle of the hot AZ desert. That wasn't a good day! By that 19th year of making memories rolled around, the sunroof had began to leak and there were a couple of dents, but it was always clean, checked regularly & ran well. I even 'gunked' the engine myself every few months.
One day while at a local coffee house, I met a young couple, new in town, and they really needed something to get back & forth to a job, so I decided to sell my wagon to them for way less than it was worth. I even drove the guy to Motor Vehicle's to get his OR driver's license & helped him through the sale process. Afterwards, I'd see them driving 'my' car around town & get all teary-eyed. Time passed and I realized I hadn't seen my old car for a while. The couple was still around, but 'Sally', I'm afraid, had run her last mile.
I still miss that car, which sound silly, but it's true. She was all decked-out with matching pinstripes, a brush guard, custom rims, cool tires, upgraded interior, sun-roof & bra. I own another Subaru now, nowhere near as flashy, but still in fantastic shape! Looks almost brand new for a 10 year old! And, though I 'appreciate' her, she will never replace the original or have the same sentimental value.

So, yes, we've heard it a thousand times, 'Have a good day'! Some appreciate it, others hate it, some still say it...and mean it! For some, simply surviving is a 'good' day, as in having something to eat & drink. To others, it's accomplishing something & thriving. Let's hear from YOU...what makes your day a 'good' one?

...

J L, your message isn't showing? Perhaps, you just meant to share your 'smiley face' avatar? In any event, have a 'good' day.

Returning to mention Robert, Steve, Joseph & Brian! How did I miss seeing your posts the first time, I wonder? Surely, we weren't all typing & posting at the same time!
Wonderful way to start the day, Robert. You have your priorities set right. The lemon water first thing is super cleansing & more.
Steve, good to see you! What a sweet thing to say. You must have a very lovely wife! Love that.
Joseph, same to you re the kids. I'm sure they think their dad is tops! Cool.
Yes, Brian, above ground=a good day. A given! Glad to see you...here.

There are two spotted fawns that bed down in our field every night. Early in the morning, their mother comes to get them. They get so excited and bound over to see her and get their breakfast. Seeing this definitely starts the day off as a good one!

Waking up to see I'm breathing is always a good day because it means the good Lord still has work for me to do, which humbles me.

As Zig Ziglar says, " oxygen is just a little bit more important than money " ... Or something like that.

The promise of a new day.

It's especially a good one when I automatically rise a half hour before sunrise, look out my picture window and see the sky turning any shade of pink, orange, and yellow over the ocean. Then heading out towards it, breathing in the sea air and enjoying the peacefulness of the morning.

Mine is basic

My morning walk on the beach. Part of me dreads leaving my art during my most creative time of day, but once I get out there walking on the beautiful beach and getting some exercise both have me feeling better the rest of the day. That and morning coffee, of course.

Being able to spend time with my two life long friends just being ourselves, exploring new places with my husband camera in hand to get reference photos. Having time to paint. Cuddling with my dogs.

A day when my daughter doesn't come over asking for cash ::sigh::
Time and inspiration to work on my art, cuddling with my four dogs, my husband not having to work 80+ hours a week.

Edit: Lol Abbie, they look so comfy!

Just returned my granddaughter and her puppy back to my son who was on a much needed and deserved vacation.....they were all so happy to see each other and happily drove off as a complete family once again.

Adele, that would make me smile as well. What a lovely scene to jump start your own day!

Waking up, yes; breathing, yes...definitely the basics of life, Frank. Clean water, healthy food & vital signs in working order=a good day in anyone's book. And, yep, oxygen and money to live on...need all that. Gratefulness, always a plus!

A new day, Janice is always a good thing. A chance to begin again. What a difference a day can sometimes make, for sure. You are a lucky to have that sea view & air. Wonderful!

Basic is my idea of good, Abbie! Simple & sweet will do it. Pets who love us, a comfy warm bed, an understanding partner, horses to ride & care for, art to create=a perfect day.

Nola! Okay, envious of your morning walks on the beach! A very cool way to start your day, before or after the coffee jolt! Lol.

Thanks for posting, everyone! Good to 'see' you.

Shana, & Sharon, both your 'good day' scenarios are similar to mine and Abbie's, except for the daughter needing financial help! It's the simple things that make life worthwhile. Hope that workload eases up, Sharon!

Marlene, time with the granddaughter & puppy, how special...and, then, the freedom to return her to a well-rested son & family. Extra special.

Abbie, that picture makes me very happy.

For me, I celebrate life by starting my day with exercise, drinking the most bitter Java and ending my day with several broccoli flowers and one glass of dry wine.

My pets make me extraordinarily happy especially when I come home from work or when I'm asleep in a twin bed with four of us trying all night to get comfy.

Getting up early to watch them play also makes me happy so happy that I can't wait for the next pet to show up at our door to shuffle our lives up a bit.

And of course this thread makes me very happy. Thanks for asking.

A good day to me is seeing butterflies, bees & hummingbirds enjoying my garden. Today I saw a white hummingbird flitting around
in my back yard, it paused for 5 seconds on a branch. They are so fun to watch.

Brooks, my original message, which I deleted, stated: I haven't had a good day in a HELL of a long time.

J L, so sorry! Maybe not the whole day, but a little of it might be good enough to call it a good day? Hoping! Thanks for checking back in.

Great to hear from you, Lisa! Your'e welcome, btw. Thank you for your reply. Wish I could join you in that stiff cup of coffee in the morning. I was brought up on it being from New Orleans, but, now, due to doc's orders, it's a simple cup of tea...with honey, maybe. Love the smell of coffee brewing, though. Pets seem to make everyone's day better!

I agree re the butterflies, bees & hummers in the garden, Genevieve! Lucky you to have a hummingbird pause nearby for a few moments. So cool.

104 temps & smokey skies from fires north & south=bad day. Construction next door halted because of=good day!

Frank, I, too, do core strengthening & stretches, plus a deep neck-head massage, eye exercises and affirmations/prayer every morning before getting out of bed! Plus, the tea that replaced my one cup of morning java, for the last 12 years, comes special delivery all the way from London! Lah-dee-dah. It's called 'Notting Hill', from a company named Yumchaa, and is made of floral & fruity bits w/Keemun tea, for all you tea lovers. Brought up on cafe-au-lait, it was a difficult switch to make. Will try that lemon-in-water, as well. Room temp is best, I hear?

Good morning, Brooks!
I was thinking of you last night...we were driving just before sunset, maybe 15 minutes and the sky was the most magnificent I have ever seen.
We are in the middle of monsoon season and the sky is filled with so many different types of clouds, that it is dramatic, indeed.
I saw something I have never seen before and didn't want to waste living it, to opt to photograph it instead....
In every direction, there was something different going on.
In one direction, the sun was poking out and rays were spreading down from one massive cloud that hid the sun....gave you a real sense of something far greater creating such beauty.
In another direction, we saw a double rainbow...but each one was so thick and bright, it looked like an HDR photograph!
The view behind us was charcoal gray skies filled with moving clouds toward us, very threatening and off in front of us was a pair of clouds, one gray, one white, entangled in a yin yang position.
We were awestruck....all I could do was LOOK at this dramatic 360 degree sight!

It not raining would help - but it's all relative. Bush fires would be worse than our near-constant rain.

This day just became a much better day. My BFF lives in Lake County near the Rocky fire. Have been trying to reach her and couldn't get through. Yesterday I thought about heading over there with the big truck to see if she needs help getting her and her animals/stuff moved but they've closed the roads. Spoke to her just a few minutes ago. The wind is pushing the fire away from her home so she's OK. Can't tell you how good it feels to finally get to talk to her.

Wow, Kathleen, glad you're friend's okay. Pretty scary stuff.

Oh, wow, Marlene, what an exquisitely beautiful visual you painted for us! I can imagine how in awe you were of nature's grand artistry unfolding before your eyes...the double rainbow, yin-yang cloud formations, changing colors, darkening skies. Thank you for posting...and for thinking of me.
Wishing you a wonderful day & week ahead! Your post made me think of that thread I posted many months ago re 'describe an image you wished you had captured'!

Liz, we're wishing for rain. Let it rain, please! Smoke & heat, not my 'cup of tea'. But, I know what you mean, too much rain can get old fast. I'd rather rain, though, than what we're experiencing. Thankfully, today, our friend, a.k.a. 'cloud cover', arrived.

Kathleen, the pics on the news of the fire raging near your friend's home look horrible. We've got friends up around those parts, as well. Feel for her...and all those firefighters! What a job. The wind, the wind, sure hope it keeps blowing in a direction that favor her & her home. So glad you got to speak with her!

Hi, J L!

A beautiful day is when you wake up and feel like the universe is going to be kind. The Sun will shine and every thing will flow in a positive direction.

Wonderfully shared, LeeAnn! Good to hear from you. My yesterday was similar to your description, plus some TLC, as well. Flowing is always good! I describe some of my favorite days as watercolor-like, flowing from one thing to another, effortlessly & happily, things falling easily into place. Doesn't happen a lot, but when it does...yay.
Today, even though it's way smokey here, I ventured out into the garden to see my beautiful 'Rose of Sharon', Phlox & Black-eyed Susan's blooming profusely, a welcoming sight. All they need is a little sunshine, food, water...and some pollinators. Yep, the birds, bees, butterflies and blossoms all go to make my day.

It's usually the little things that make my day. Yesterday I didn't see my teenage toads and was concerned that something had happened to them but this morning they were back chilling in their favorite flower pot. That made my morning!

Everyday is a good day to wake up. Even better to finish and upload a new painting concept.

Having excellent eyesight allows me to see such depth, variation, and diversity in the world. Seeing incredible color in things-- animate or inanimate-- makes for a good day.

Realizing how comfortable I am in my own skin makes for a good day.

Practicing lovingkindness, which leaves me filled with gratitude for things big and small, makes for a good day.

Moments when I realize how far I have come in my life-- and how far away I am from certain situations, existences, and people-- makes for the best kind of day.

You said it well, Rahdne! Perfection. And, how blessed you are! That is what I see & get from you...gratitude, love, kindness & acceptance. All that not only makes a powerful human being, but a wonderful artist, as well. Have a great morning/day, my friend!

Welcome, Ken! Always wonderful to complete a work of art and be happy with the result. I'm re-working a piece titled 'Second Wind' right now. The fact that I haven't been doing figurative pastel work for a few years is a little weird. But, I'm finding my way again and loving what I'm seeing. It's better the second time around! Have a good night.

Yes, Kathleen, the little things! Simple pleasures are where it's at. Not that big ones don't matter, too, but, hey, grateful is grateful! Have a good one!

so well said, Rahdne!

I didn't wake up until the sun came up this morning....that's a good and needed thing for me!

Sleep, yes, Marlene, so important to get our zzzzz's, especially at 'our' young age! I know you've mentioned issues re in other threads...and I have some surrounding enough sleep, as well. So, when we do get the rest we need, it's a life-saver, literally. Have a wonderful day! And, yes, our friend, Rahdne, is a diamond-in-the-rough.