About Me

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Recent retiree--35 year's experience teaching reading, English, adult basic education and volunteer leadership skills. Started this blog to exchange ideas and commentary with friends and others having an interest in joining the discussions. Greatest life accomplishments include: 1.organized my 3rd grade class to check out library books for me to get around librarian's weekly limit--Amazon.com, the Mullins Elementary 3rd Grade Class of 1956 is still waiting for "thank you" notes; 2. volunteered in the Peace Corps, island of St. Kitts, West Indies; 3.taught adults to read, earn their GEDs., and speak English as a second language; 4. bought a border collie puppy for $6, got evicted rather than give him up, and began a life-long love affair with all things "Dog"; 5. joined a physical fitness boot camp in my mid-50s--don't mess with someone who's been doing regulation pushups in wet grass at 5:30 a.m.; 6. walked across Northern England with best friend Sally--over 80 miles from the Irish to North Seas; and 7. travelled to many foreign countries for pleasure and work.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Happy

Best buddy Sally brought me this charming postcard from Aux-en-Provence, France from her recent cruise. My French is what's left over from one year's attempt as a college freshman to rev up a mountain drawl enough to be able to speak a few French phrases. In other words, hopeless.

Thanks to google I was able to find the translation of the shop's name, Chat Reveur. Cat Dreamer. How whimsical and doesn't it just fit this colorful, busy shop?

Gandhi's quote over the door was "Le Bonheur est dans l'ceil de celui qui regarde". "Happiness is in the eye of the beholder." I'm thinking Gandhi is reminding us that we're responsible for our own happiness and that "happy" is going to be different for each of us.

What about you this first hot day of summer? What makes you happy--or at the very least content? Me? I'm happy to have air conditioning and the energy to keeping going with a major home/life de-cluttering project.

8 comments:

Sayre said...

My happiness is fairly simple. The health of my family. The coolness of the pool. Dogs by my side and cats in my lap. A pot of tea.

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Happiness for me is relaxing at home, either in the shed, conservatory or in the cool shade outside with the family. Bliss.

Love the postcard.

Jan n Jer said...

Happy for me is being with my family and having fun! Also the basic comforts in life..and yes AC is one of them..its been hot! Love Gandi's quote...so true!

Gattina said...

That's a place for me, lol !

Living Life said...

So glad you are happy Faye and staying cool! I am happiest on my front porch drinking a cold beverage or a hot cup of coffee or tea and spending time with my family.

KittyHawk said...

Still love that postcard. As for happy, even at my age I'm still trying to figure it all out.

Lane Mathias said...

That shop looks just fabulous. Look at those colours.

Happiness this week has been enjoying the sunshine, with Wimbledon in the background. It's been seeing my father happy on Father's Day (he's not well) and walking the dogs in the cool evening.

I know Faye, that you're not a fan of the heat, but here it's just pleasant, not blistering. Although Peg still manages to huff and puff around like a drama queen whereas Teabag finds a shady spot and meditates. That makes me happy too:-)

Faye said...

sayre--healthy family, your critters, fav drink and access to a pool makes for good FL living.

debs-some postcards are almost as good as a visit to the real place.

janis--we retirees are fortunate to have the free time for fun, aren't we? I've been under AC so long feel like am in danger of freeze drying. . .

gattina--a cat fancier would probably find a lot of "stuff" in this shop to add to the collections.

church lady--is your front porch screened in? That would be a great reading retreat.

kittyhawk--hear! hear! or is it here! here!? I can never remember. I know contentment, but happiness not so much.

lane--I've been thinking of you lately, wondering about your dad. Glad he felt well enough to enjoy Father's Day. Pegs and I have a lot in common when it comes to hot weather. We need to be more philosophical like Teas and Willie.