Day 72

7/24/22

Simple pleasures...what a gift they are! During the last couple of years, we were forced to revisit some of the things we had not put on our priority list. For me, I began to make homemade bread again. The smell emanating from the kitchen was almost as good as the final product! I took the time to read, play the piano more frequently and do jigsaw puzzles. We watched enough Hallmark movies to allow us to predict every plot with unwavering success! Having my knitting and crocheting close at hand was a given. Even though those days are somewhat behind us, I have tried to hang on to some of the more special pastimes.

Now my goldens have no problem enjoying the simple pleasures of life. They seem to relish the morning bone-chewing, enjoy a refreshing romp in the yard and, of course, love their walks each day. Their expectations are limited to their stomachs (Ranger can tell when it's Tummy Time and he will bark until the bowl is produced) and their need to be with their humans each and every moment of the day. All three are at our feet constantly and will often come close to get a scratch behind the ear or a little back rub.

Sometimes, I have to stop and slow myself down in an effort to honor those simple pleasures. What's more important? 20,000+ steps on my Fitbit or sitting down at the piano with my adoring audience of three goldens and a husband? I know the answer to that without even taking a moment to ponder the question.

If we could all be more like golden retrievers, and dogs in general, we would be more content with the simple pleasures in life. Just ask Ranger, Lilly and Gus!