WANTED:
Simple pleasures…
In these troubled & turbulent times, many of us are seeking “simple pleasures” – I know I am!
Hence, dear readers, it was with no little sense of delight that I stumbled upon a splendid little tome in our Libraries the other day - Simple Pleasures: little things that make life worth living. (I confess it, I let out a little `whoop` of delight at discovering it…a shameful confession from a practicing Librarian I know, but there we are…)
A slim (though exquisitely bound) volume, it contains a series of short, pithy and whimsical essays from some of our leading writers on the theme of their own `Simple pleasures`…Prue Leith on the joys of a nice hot bath, Antony Beevor on the allure of the owl, Clive Aslet on the delights of Ramsgate Beach, and many, many more…
It’s a National Trust publication, so as you’d expect (being a reader of some discernment) it’s all rather `green wellie & Aga saga` if you get my drift…
Nonetheless, there’s a great deal of wisdom and comfort and pleasure to be gained from reading it…I particularly liked Lucinda Lambton’s article on “looking up at tall buildings” and have been following her advice ever since (you’d be amazed at what you see, even if it gives you a stiff neck!). I also intend to start growing prize vegetables, and possibly even knitting…
It also contains one of the finest ten words of advice I`ve ever read: “If it is to be, it is up to me”…
Anyway, try giving it a read, and see what you think…
The Blogbrarian has been pondering greatly on the concept of pleasure, both his own and others…
The writer and bon viveur Sydney Smith’s idea of heavenly pleasure was eating pate de foie gras to the sound of trumpets…John Mortimer’s was drinking champagne cocktails in the lounge bar of the Royal Opera House…
Mine (being a more rough-hewn horny-handed son of the soil) would be sitting in my shed eating pork scratchings, ideally listening to Test Match Special whilst reading a book from Bexley Libraries…Oh, and possibly getting my garden gnomes ready for the summer season. And if I`m really pushing the boat out, maybe sculpting a life-size papier-mâché model of the late great Hattie Jacques…Or is that just too much to ask for?...
Anyway, at no extra cost, here are six of my seasonal secret simple pleasures:
1) Reading
2) Walking
3) Scratching
4) Watching herons in flight
5) Thinking about how to grow the largest, most perfectly formed vegetables ever seen in NW Kent
6) Using Bexley Libraries…
What are your Simple Pleasures?... Either in book form, or elsewhere?...Share `em with us (if decent) by using the comments feature below. But remember, the Hattie Jacques model is mine!
TTFN
31 comments:
7. Watching squirrels at this time of year (or any other time of year, come to think of it) scampering around accompanied by thought-bubbles which say "Now, where the h*ll did I bury those nuts?". Cute but dim, that's squirrels, rather like.. whoops - better not go there.
8. Spring flowers (especially crocuses & daffies) and bouncy, bouncy lambs.
9. Baroque music. It is very good for the soul (well, certainly my soul)- and for brain function too, I kid you not.
10. Discovering that ear-plugs really do help when the above-mentioned Lucinda Lambton is on TV.
Mys simple pleasures:
1. That first sip of ice cold cider
2. That second sip of ice cold cider
3. Seeing quotation marks used correctly
Herons in flight? That reminds me that at the beginning of this month I saw two cranes in flight over the A2 - now that is a rare sight so definitely a simple pleasure
Feet up a good book a peaceful sunny day and a glass of something cool.
My six simple pleasures would be
1) Watching old British Films
2) Listening to a Radio 7 drama
3) Getting up before anyone in the house for some quality me time.
4) Feeding the Swans and Geese in Danson Park
5) Spending time with my husband walking in the park.
6) cuddling up with my cat on the sofa watching TV
Dear contributors ~ well, thanks for getting the ball rolling…
So far, it seems, birds, booze and books are topping the lists of simple pleasures. (Not that the Blogbrarian can condone drinking, obviously, unless it’s the teeniest weeniest fine dry sherry?)
And, Terri, thanks for your observations about cranes…I too have seen two cranes today, but they were at the back of the building site in Crayford (site of our new library) and very impressive they were.
Anyway, thanks for your contributions…keep `em coming!
TTFN
Simple pleasures- for me has to be an early morning walk with my dog Bailey, on Dartford Heath. Never mind the weather, rain or shine it's the best way to start the day.
Denise
Simple pleasures....
Rhubarb and gooseberries
Realising the neighbours have left for a long holiday
Sitting in the sun in a country churchyard
Drinking wine and chatting on a summer evening
Knitting...unless the pattern goes wrong
Not reading little books with short, charming, whimsical entries!!
Mary
Yes - definitely totally different from the cranes I saw - but I do also enjoy industrial heritage sites...
I'd have to second the dog walking. In spite of what you have to pick up, nothing quite beats the sight of the bouncing around of a jolly canine. Also, Jeeves and Wooster (a recent discovery that makes me want to go round saying "What ho, old bean" to anyone I may chance to meet), and chocolate. Whoever discovered the virtues of the cocoa bean has my undying gratitude.
Cutting the grass for the first time each springtime. After that its just a chore.
Those brief and rare occasions when 'im indoors has gone out for the evening and I gain mastery over the remote control and can settle down with a nice cup of coffee and watch some trashy American tv without listening to his incessant moaning about having to miss his football/rugby/cricket/motor racing/blah blah
Caroline, I second that and Jenny how right you are about cocoa.
My simple pleasures are a good book a sunny afternoon in the garden and a glass of red wine, an autumn stroll in the woods and being tucked up somewhere warm and cosy on a wet and windy evening with a good book a glass of red wine and a bar of chocolate, I'm sensing a pattern emerging here.
What-ho! Blog-followers…(and thanks, Jenny, for reminding us of the simple pleasures to be had from reading PG Wodehouse…I say, what a super wheeze!)
Dogs seem to be taking the lead (sorry) in our survey now…Or are we barking up the wrong tree?
Anyway, thanks for all your thoughts…keep `em coming!
Ttfn
I'll have to start the list in favour of cats then - there's nothing quite like a cosy cat asleep on your lap. It's a good excuse for a read, as you can't possibly disturb the sleeping ball of fluff...
My simple pleasures are:
1 - Laying in bed on a Sunday.
2 - Sitting in the garden on a sunny day with a glass of wine and a cigar.
3 - Reading of an evening before bed.
4 - Picnics!
5 - Playing guitar.
6 - Walking.
Cigars?...
Not sure that the Blogbrarian can be seen to endorse this…BUT, do any of our ‘more mature’ readers remember “Will’s Whiffs”?...They were a very popular brand of simple pleasure in their day, I am led to understand…
I can certainly relate to many of the above. My simple pleasures would be sitting in the garden:
1)Listening to TMS as England beat someone (anyone?)
2)Drinking something cold, alcoholic and preferably bubbly
3)Watching our nesting blackbirds taking a bath
4)Reading a good book
5)Doing this all on a Saturday afternoon, knowing Sunday is still to come
Sculpting a model of Hattie Jacques .... hmm, slightly disturbing...
My simple pleasures. I'm with Caroline and Lisa on being able to enjoy trashy American tv without the men in my house complaining. My current guilty pleasure - the new version of Hawaii 5-0.
I love watching the birds feeding in my back garden, a magpie splashing about in the birdbath and my flowers coming back to life after being devastated by snow.
I also love reading in the bath. Listening to music is one of my biggest pleasures, though. I'm hooked on iTunes (am I allowed to say that?)
I've just remembered another simple pleasure although it's slightly controversial but I'm going to say it anyway, Snow, yes I love snow. The anticipation of it falling when you know it's cold enough and cloudy enough, watching the flakes fall and get bigger and faster and best of all waking up in the morning to a thick layer before anyone has walked on it or driven through it, it makes everything so peaceful and pretty.
Right-ho, then...
So, it now seems that Bexley readers notions of simple pleasures involve: birds, dogs, reading, dozing, a little snifter, and the absence of men...(with a bit of snow, thrown in)
Is that it?
TTFN
It's true...the simple pleasures in life are often the best things.
Mine would have to be..
1.Seeing a certain someones gorgeous face light up when they smile..
2.Fresh bread, Lurpack and cheese and onion crisps..
3. Walking to work...especially the bit through the woods, sublime!
Just the birds singing..
4.Watching my favourite bands live, and knowing they are singing those songs just for me..
5.Listening to loud music at home alone and singing along (badly) at the top of my voice.
6.Finding a copy of A Rocket in my Pocket, by Max Decharne on the Bexley Library catalogue..
7. Arts and Crafts, making things for people. Currently contemplating if a life size model of Hattie Jacques made from pork scratchings would be possible!!..
Thanks, Simone.
* Glad that cheese & onion crisps now have one vote...I`ll second that.
* (A note of caution, however - since the Blogbrary is, strictly speaking, a commercial-free zone, we'd better say "Danish unsalted butter" rather than actually calling it `Lurpack`)
* Am unsure as to the notion of your Hattie Jacques idea...But delighted that you've found something good on Bexley's catalogue.
TTFN
Thought of another one. The sound of the sea - I'd love to wake up to waves lapping at the shore and seagulls calling...
Not much chance of that in Bexley, unfortunately.
Lisa - Have you read The Memory keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards? If not, do look at chapter one if you love snow.
My simple pleasures of the senses,
1, The scent of lavender from the summer garden.
2, The sound of waves rushing against pebbles at the beach.
3, The feeling of warm spring sunshine on your face.
4, Reading a Bernard Cornwell novel before bedtime.
5, The sight of bats circling in rapid flight at dusk.
6, The taste of cheese and tomato on toast and a mug of tea immediately after returning from a holiday abroad.
1. I have to agree with reading P. G. Wodehouse - as recommended so often by the Blogbrarian - a complete joy.
2. Random acts of kindness which make all the difference when you least expect it.
3. Shoes.. because I really am quite a frivolous person at heart!
My most simple but rewarding pleasure is taking time to make a cup of tea then taking even more time drinking it. There's a lot to be said for taking time in this rushed society.
Dear Blog followers ~
Again, many thanks for your contributions ~ I commend them all to the house.
Kindness, shoes, tea (would that be PG Wodehouse tips?) , and cheese & tomato sandwiches all fit the bill, and can certainly be added to the list, along with Billy’s splendid selection of simple pleasures of the senses.
Any more? Last orders, please….
Here's another one - wearing a big skirt that goes "whoosh" when you twirl. Seriosly to be tried!
By the way, Rachel does have just about the best taste in shoes ever! I want them!
* Obviously, Bexley Libraries can in no way be seen to condone the heinous crime of shoe-theft....
But I like the sound of a skirt that goes "whoosh!"...I shall be sure to try it out.
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