This might be the most selfish and self centered blog post in the world. Then again isn’t selfish and self centered at the heart of blogging in a way. I mean the internet has given us a voice so we go for it. Am I wrong? Is it a bad thing? I don’t think so. Also, the interwebs are full of grumpy people talking about what makes them grumpy. That is political blogging in a nutshell. The community of photobloggers though are pretty much about telling us what makes them happy and I’m good with that.
So now that I’ve justified my selfishness lets give it a go.
My family makes me happy, my bride of many years Heather our special son Logan. Rascal the Pomeranian makes me happy as well but near as much as the other two.
Then here is them two again and me. Make note of my expression. That is my big wide rarely seen smile.
Here is Lizzie, our diffident, fat little toad kitten. She probably isn’t a kitten more technically and she isn’t that loving generally but she makes me happy. She rules our household of three humans, one other cat and three dogs.
And beautiful landscapes make me happy. This is Woodward Park here in Tulsa. We have azaleas, dogwoods, and who knows what else going on here.
And Tulips make me very happy. The more the merrier, and the more colors, the better. I don’t care if they are a bit past prime like these, I love them all the same.
And I’ll take single tulips or tulips in a bunch.
And Azaleas, and how they are so lush and overwhelming.
And some more Azaleas.
Iris’s may be my favorite flower. The tissue like delicate petals are sublime.
And Wisteria, wisteria makes me very happy.
The Gilcrease Museum gardens are open at no charge seven days a week even though the museum is closed. They have this huge wisteria.
And baseball, baseball is shut down and it is killing me. Being there live is the thing. Nothing more boring than baseball on television. Well there is one thing. At my MIL’s house we were watching “The Greatest Story Every Told” the old movie. Of course the story is great but the movie puts seven R’s in Borrrrrrring. Low energy. They needed to cut in half and put in a chariot race. Oh yeah, they already did, its called Ben-Hur. Now that’s a good movie.
I hate the virus that has its grip on the world but I love the medical people who are risking their health taking care of the virus’s victims.
And art, love it. This is a sculpture at the Gilcrease Museum Gardens called “Twins” by Jay O’Melia. I think this is perfect.
Another scene from the Gilcrease Museum Gardens. It’s easy to maintain social distancing because nobody else is every there!! By the way, can we call it “Physical Distancing?” I don’t want to be socially distant. Sorry.
And here’s Heather again. I love sitting out on our patio with her.
And I love challenges. Heather got me a fancy drone for my birthday. It’s kind of cool. It has a GPS built in so when you tell it to stop somewhere, it maintains its position. I’ve two other learner drones and they just kind of did whatever they wanted to do. I want my technology to do what I want it to do. So anyway I put it up in the air, told it to stay and fished my camera out of my pocket and took a photo.
And I had it take a photo of me.
And then moved it a little closer and took another pic. And then it started to rain. I was trying to figure out how to do video and I think I have it but it is very rainy and windy. So it might be a few days before I can try it again.
I’m happy that my fellow citizens are helping to flatten the curve by following the guidelines. It feels un-natural and weird but we have to do what we can do.
Know something else that makes me happy is how people responded to this crisis. For example as I write this post, Mary Chapin Carpenter is singing a song from her house on facebook, lots of artists are doing similar things. Exercise instructors are doing Zoom workouts. Restaurants moved quickly for takeout options. It has been amazing how creative and resilient people are. It’s been amazing to see. Kudos to them.
So, there are tons more things that make me happy, but I’ll stop. What makes you happy?
In the meantime, stay home, and flatten the curve.
Hop on over to Our World Tuesday and join the fun.
You, like all of us, have the right to be happy. Love your family. And now you have yet another camera toy. Keep being selfishly happy. You’ll be healthier for it.
I am happy to be hanging out in the desert.
Hello,
Do what makes you happy, great photos of your family and the furbabies too. The blossoms and tulips are beautiful, they make me happy. Taking a walk without anyone around, makes me happy too. Take care and enjoy your day and the week ahead!
Loved the post 🙂 Beautiful pics.
Cool drone. Stay well.
Greetings.
I think you’ve just got a happy nature that focuses on the glass half full. I have to say, though, with good health, great family AND a drone in your life, there’s a lot to be happy about.
All of your objects of happiness make me happy too – family, beautiful views, flowers, furry friends… lovely post
Beautiful faces in the photos. Everyone looks great. The park is a great place to visit. Stay safe.
I know just what you mean about the lack of baseball!! I miss it too….really miss it.
A good, icy cold, beer and a hot dog at the ballpark sounds great.
I like the lack of having to be concerned with no social distancing…that place looks awesome.
As you do in your ‘mask’ of disguise!!!
I hadn’t really thought about it before but you are right about bloggers posts being positive and full ofthings that make them happy. I am struggling with my happiness at the moment. Life is anything but normal. I chose to move in with my daughter and family 5 weeks ago to help her manage during this crisis but boy do I miss time on my own!
Look at the beauty you shared ~ healthy selfishness ~ if you don’t care you ~ you can’t take care of anyone else ~ right? right!
Beautiful family ~ so loving and gorgeous nature shots too ~ So glad to see as we had heavy winds and rain yesterday so your photos are a very welcome view ~
Be Well,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
It is imperative right now that we focus on what is good in our lives, what makes us happy, and to be grateful. There is so much to be grateful for as you have shown in your post. Thank you for sharing, and for stopping by my blog this week. Together we can all get through this together, no matter where we live in the world. Stay safe and have a good week.
I believe that a person’s blog is their space to express their ideas, concerns and loves so it’s perfectly appropriate. I think we’ve all grown closer to our families to this time even though we’re physically distant. I love seeing your pictures of spring in Oklahoma. It’s still winter here. Your tulip shots are amazing!
Alan – I have laughed more during this post than I have the last 20 that I have read. THANK YOU. That makes me happy (and hopefully you meant to be a little funny, or now I have made you un-happy).
Flowers (especially that beautiful wisteria) make my happy. My husband (and co-prisoner) makes me happy. Our cat Maggie (on my lap as I type this) makes me happy. Ben-Hur makes me happy. You learning how to use your drone (with pictures of you) makes me happy. Keep up the good work.
Here in Montana, we are busy flattening the curve.
No one should ever apologize for bragging about what makes them happy.
You are truly blessed. I love the Wisteria. Great pictures.
…family is always important, but now more than ever!
I think with what’s going on in our world right now it’s good to be happy, I like the sign too.
Wonderful post! I’m glad you like your family because it would be hard to have to stay at home with people you disliked. 😉
This is a great post for all time, any time, and especially for *this* time. That’s exactly what we need to concentrate on. (Tho I have to admit that it is easier to do in Oregon than in Florida right now.).