Been putting the window unit air conditioners in the main floor bedrooms today. Didn’t cuss and Stew and I didn’t fuss at each other. Only tragedy was a broken fingernail on my left hand from catching the unit before it fell out the window. Yep! The secret to our success was my new electric screwdriver. That thing is a marvel!

It’s been pleasantly cool today and last night I slept pleasantly with my bedroom windows open. With these rainy days we’ve been having, took both of us to shut the swollen windows. Wish I had left them open for one more night. Mother Nature is getting ready to throw another storm tantrum. I’m watching the bamboo and oak trees dance to the beats of the wind of the soon storm. It’s almost night but I can see the dark heavy storm clouds gathering. Penelope is under her blanket by my reading chair. My goofy dog is now barking at the hoot owls! They woke her up from her storm hiding nap.

Sat outside in the swings between chores this morning. The sky was gloomy with faded clouds. The little flock of fighting finches is back. This little gathering of purple finches fight and argue all day over the perches on a tube feeder. There are six perches and four finches and they squabble over the bottom four perches all day. With fourteen feeders you’d think they’d just go to another. I know the cardinals wanted some quiet. Made for an angry sounding yard symphony specially when the woodpecker drummed the oak tree.

Had to go to town and buy some duct tape today. Washed my hair, put on a bra and headed off to the Dollar G. Can’t do without a couple rolls of duct tape in my tool bucket! I love duct tape! Wouldn’t dress up for milk and bread but I will for duct tape. Forgot to get bread I was so focused on duct tape. Actually had someone tell me once he had “never seen a lady of the manor with such duct tape skills!” Stew told me yesterday, “Can’t we hire someone to fix it and not rig it with your duct tape.” Hope Shady Oaks has duct tape. Well, I’ll just bring my own roll!

Thinking today that I’ve been fortunate lately to have so much joy in my days. Joy from my vegetables and flowers growing and blooming, joy visiting my grandchildren, joy in a delicious breakfast with my oldest children, joy in a Mother’s Day phone call from my oldest son, joy in a cherry popsicle, joy in hearing my nephew laugh and tell tales from college after a two year life threatening illness, joy on his mother’s face happy and thankful for his recovery, joy in the colorful song birds visiting my yard, joy from a hand full of Hershey kisses, joy from a letter in the mailbox, joy in a pack of chewing gum, joy in the storm clouds and boisterous wind, joy from a spoiled dog sleeping at my feet, joy from visiting my brothers and their families, joy in phone calls from my dearest friend, and joy in a beautiful old house with a front porch full of flowers and two swings where I can idly pass the days away.

Dictionaries define joy as a “feeling of great pleasure and happiness.” Just the simple things in life can bring us joy if we take time to enjoy them. Just a drink of cold water in a pint mason jar on hot day can put a smile on my face. My world turns so slowly now that I’m retired. I can fully appreciate the sunsets and sunrises because I’m still and not rushing around. Chief enjoyed the stillness of the world, too, and appreciated all his blessings. He loved Mother Earth and her red clay soil in Alexander City. Simple things brought him joy, too. His gardens, his cat clowder, visits from the grandchildren, reading in front of the fireplace, his friendships, his writing, letters from friends, coffee and hot buttered biscuits.

The simple things in life can gladden our hearts if we let them. Ordinary moments in life can bring us joy.

“Joy comes from simple and natural things, mists over meadows, sunlight on leaves, the path of the moon over water. Even rain and wind and stormy clouds bring joy, just as knowing animals and flowers and where they live,” — Sigurd F. Olson