tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post676053560946311227..comments2024-03-28T12:00:47.858-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Small Joys Big Happiness by Jenn McKinlayJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-80755821606273105172017-10-03T14:05:23.242-04:002017-10-03T14:05:23.242-04:00So glad I stopped by today. This is a few days la...So glad I stopped by today. This is a few days late, though. Looking at beautiful photos posted by JRW is one of my joys. So many things bring joy for me. Kindness. Happy babies. Beautiful flowers. Sunsets WITHOUT any air pollution. hahahaha. Waling up in the morning and smelling fresh air. Gentle music. Walking with friends. Dinner with my family. Reading my favorite books. Being able to see a movie in the cinema with RWC so I can read the dialogue. Meeting authors. A good cup of coffee. When I can go through a day without an headache, it is wonderful.<br /><br />DianaBibliophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07764234701385787238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-91735810119261479632017-10-01T09:01:02.442-04:002017-10-01T09:01:02.442-04:00Waking to the murmur of my kids playing downstairs...Waking to the murmur of my kids playing downstairs on weekends. I used to love this most when I was growing up, being the last up on Christmas morning, hearing the chatter over mystery boxes and quiche and oj. It makes me feel warm and safe and not alone. Like I'm somewhere I belong.<br /><br />And sitting on the porch in the first crisp mornings of Fall, sipping a coffee, just soaking it in, like I am right now. I need this moment. :)<br /><br />Megan, NJMegamoohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08090472997100516237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-40026087067838402622017-09-30T21:13:01.900-04:002017-09-30T21:13:01.900-04:00Just enjoyed my day, had so many apples and made a...Just enjoyed my day, had so many apples and made applesauce. Peeling and quartering them and thinking of how I used to watch my mother and grandmother do the same thing. It made me happy.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04858803059045559569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-84649008040106864482017-09-30T17:06:44.676-04:002017-09-30T17:06:44.676-04:00Totally with you on the fire, Mary. One of my favo...Totally with you on the fire, Mary. One of my favorite parts of cold weather. Well, other than snuggly sweaters and socks, it's honestly my only favorite part.Karen in Ohiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18002794561817071780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-78951414650522870472017-09-30T16:28:16.775-04:002017-09-30T16:28:16.775-04:00In these days when so many are homeless due to na...In these days when so many are homeless due to natural disaster or war, I'm grateful for a roof over my head and clean running water. <br /><br />I'm grateful for the public libraries where I spend quality time on Saturdays. <br /><br />I'm grateful to the person who sent me four gigantic bars of dark chocolate to help me "medicate" <br />myself while recuperating from minor surgery, while she herself is being treated for cancer.<br /><br />I love to look at clouds, and watch them change shape.<br />DebRo Deb Romanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01650858888197217258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-82052460522632533872017-09-30T16:11:54.284-04:002017-09-30T16:11:54.284-04:00That first sip of wine, the calm sound the ocean m...That first sip of wine, the calm sound the ocean makes when the waves swish over the sand and tickle your toes, a spotted eagle ray jumping from the surf. The first peek of light over the horizon at dawn. The warm touch of fur against your thigh when my cat cuddles up on a cold night. So many things.Kaithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07758348842858993203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-52434881569809435512017-09-30T15:33:42.451-04:002017-09-30T15:33:42.451-04:00Road trip to pick up a new leaded glass sidelight ...Road trip to pick up a new leaded glass sidelight I commissioned artist friends to make for me! The only downer is that I'll have to rent a minivan to haul it home. Gotta leave the Mustang behind for this trip.Gigi Norwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00495357787099352860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-67076928270706289362017-09-30T14:51:06.955-04:002017-09-30T14:51:06.955-04:00Helen, your post just made my day. So many things ...Helen, your post just made my day. So many things to be happy about and a reminder to count one's blessings!Ingrid Thofthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04063912686011336076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-38152913938600289112017-09-30T14:13:43.043-04:002017-09-30T14:13:43.043-04:00What a thought provoking post.....thank you. As a ...What a thought provoking post.....thank you. As a person with a chronic illness and subsequent limited energy, the small things are what matter most......they are actually the big things now. Grandchildren for sure, opening a new book and the anticipation that bubbles up, bird chatter in our yard, a cup of tea made especially for me by my sweet husband, daily writing in my journal capturing ordinary moments, houseplants that keep me responsible for their care and feeding and brighten our home, overflowing book shelves that I love looking at, Amazon Prime....believe it or not (!!)....which gives me the opportunity to still "shop" for my loved ones....picking out personal gifts that have meaning....and of course being able to keep adding new books to those shelves, my library card that enables me to place a hold online for books.....our Librarian knows my husband by name as he picks up books and does all the returns! My joy cup is full as it turns out......thank you for the reminder. A P.S. My best friend made it possible for me to get to see Louise Penny not long ago at Book Passage and the icing on the cake was accidentally meeting Rhys Bowen before the event started! I overheard a woman with her back to me asking a question and I chimed in with a response....and when she turned around.....well let's just say I turned into a gushing fan.....babbling to my friend, who Rhys was, how I read Jungle Red every day and loved her books. She was there to introduce her friend Louise and was so gracious in the face of dealing with a babbling deranged fan....thanks Rhys! Helen Nordsethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02722564768816791372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-45104757854983833312017-09-30T13:48:23.454-04:002017-09-30T13:48:23.454-04:00There are so many wonderful books to snuggle up an...There are so many wonderful books to snuggle up and read with a child. Richard Scarry and Shel Silverstein are both favorites around here as are Eric Carle and Maurice Sendak . . . .Joan Emersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06810313925049108163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-43073499453472203722017-09-30T13:18:56.709-04:002017-09-30T13:18:56.709-04:00Considering that I'm often convinced she can&#...Considering that I'm often convinced she can't wait to get out of the house (she's 17), it's HUGE. =)<br /><br />I recently changed my hair color to a more auburn shade and it was my 15-year-old boy who said, "I really like that hair color, Mom. It makes you look younger." I didn't think he'd notice.<br /><br />I will add a roaring fire to my list (it might get cold enough tonight to light the first one of the season).<br /><br />Mary/LizLiz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-50049679878885353202017-09-30T13:04:01.303-04:002017-09-30T13:04:01.303-04:00I'm reading these great comments while enjoyin...I'm reading these great comments while enjoying a delicious peach from the Market! Jenn, my mom has always pointed out the sunset to us, and to this day, my sisters and I text her pictures when there's a nice sunset in our location!Ingrid Thofthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04063912686011336076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-74220661741999878742017-09-30T11:59:03.072-04:002017-09-30T11:59:03.072-04:00The simplest joys are the joyfullest joys -- grand...The simplest joys are the joyfullest joys -- grandkids, definitely -- the moon -- preparing a nice meal, especially for my family -- Sunday services -- how the light falls in each room . . . endless.Denise Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790883493798517829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-20320291409937520192017-09-30T10:49:11.278-04:002017-09-30T10:49:11.278-04:00Lately I've been celebrating capabilities that...Lately I've been celebrating capabilities that I'm regaining after getting a new knee. The best one recently is tying my shoes. But also...<br />Reading with the grandkids (the older one read to me on their last visit)<br />A little quiet time after dinner with my sweetie<br />Going for a walk together<br />Mint chip ice cream<br />A new book with a nice inscription<br />Being in the woods<br />Losing a pound<br />Remembering a song that I'd forgotten I liked<br />Meeting someone whose books I enjoyed<br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-38670032552181229342017-09-30T10:23:01.489-04:002017-09-30T10:23:01.489-04:00We had flocks of them in California. Now we deligh...We had flocks of them in California. Now we delight when we see just one. Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14187856103924954287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-88880839013461258032017-09-30T10:00:15.729-04:002017-09-30T10:00:15.729-04:00Karen, you are right. My mom is one of the smartes...Karen, you are right. My mom is one of the smartest, most observant people I know. Also, her BS detector is unparalleled. She would love your observation about looking up - so very true!Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-494542942406711262017-09-30T09:58:23.447-04:002017-09-30T09:58:23.447-04:00When one of the boys comes to me and says, 'Yo...When one of the boys comes to me and says, 'You want to hear a piece I've learned/a song I'm writing?" Oh yes! When I come across the classical pianist and the post-punk rocker on piano and guitar, jamming on some rockabilly/Texas two-step/Beatles' tune--walking through the ravine and seeing two deer paused on the road below me, the whispering of wind through the tops of the pines--like trickles of sunlight turned to sound as I rake the grass. And looking back, even though I lived in a house full of kids--brothers and sisters and cousins galore--I was often a child alone--I sought out quiet spaces, quiet moments--to watch wind sweeping through fields of wheat, the sounds of a summer night and the mysterious signaling of fireflies--to feel sun and a warm breeze across my skin. And, always, books.Flora Churchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13289148096894506235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-87366938177351242852017-09-30T09:57:31.019-04:002017-09-30T09:57:31.019-04:00Gigi - that was lovely. And did you say "road...Gigi - that was lovely. And did you say "road trip"? Adventure always bring me joy!!!Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-56398034652431753762017-09-30T09:56:02.420-04:002017-09-30T09:56:02.420-04:00New books bring me ridonkulous amounts of happy - ...New books bring me ridonkulous amounts of happy - shocker, I know!Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-48095324023341458492017-09-30T09:52:20.316-04:002017-09-30T09:52:20.316-04:00Cider...joy. It'll be 98 today in AZ. Sigh.Cider...joy. It'll be 98 today in AZ. Sigh.Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-36343704080092306372017-09-30T09:52:12.041-04:002017-09-30T09:52:12.041-04:00Thank you all for sharing these lovely reminders. ...Thank you all for sharing these lovely reminders. And photos!Trisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08058396345946250313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-84975110333560336842017-09-30T09:51:24.743-04:002017-09-30T09:51:24.743-04:00One of my all time faves, Hallie! When I was a chi...One of my all time faves, Hallie! When I was a children's librarian, we would do impromptu performances in the children's area of his work during poetry week. My go to was always Boa Constrictor. Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-86431972133892877852017-09-30T09:48:52.643-04:002017-09-30T09:48:52.643-04:00Mary, yes! One of the hooligans hit me with a surp...Mary, yes! One of the hooligans hit me with a surprise compliment the other day - always an unexpected rush of joy. Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-17406449518407420092017-09-30T09:46:39.735-04:002017-09-30T09:46:39.735-04:00You and Debs both had me at fresh sheets! You and Debs both had me at fresh sheets! Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-85115926388376913272017-09-30T09:44:49.693-04:002017-09-30T09:44:49.693-04:00Yes! You had me at a well made bacon cheeseburger,...Yes! You had me at a well made bacon cheeseburger, Jay, and the nap was the topper! Definite joys!Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.com