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Making a list of things for which we are thankful for is simple. Living a life that demonstrates our gratitude and shares our blessings is entirely different.

John F. Kennedy understood this, and his quote about gratitude being shown not by the words we utter but by the life we live always makes me smile.

Day 145: JFK’s quote about gratitude Day 144: Watching My Dog Play

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Tags: 365 reasons to smile, Family, gratitude, perspective, smiles, Thanksgiving, Thoughts

365 Reasons to Smile – Day 144

Nov 27

Posted by Trina Bartlett

I realized years ago that I would never be completely happy without a dog in my life, and I’ve been grateful for all my furry friends. Each was extremely special.

My current dog, Rodney, has a vise-like grip on my heart that strengthens every time he has an opportunity to play with a ball. Believe it or not, my previous two dogs had absolutely no interest and would give me with a “you want me to do what?” look when I threw one

But Rodney compensates.

He loves to play catch and, believe it or not, even a bit of soccer.

His complete joy when playing with a ball always makes me smile.

Day 144: Watching My Dog Play

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Tags: 365 reasons to smile, animals, Dogs, Family, musings, perspective, smiles, Thoughts

365 Reasons to Smile – Day 143

Nov 26

Posted by Trina Bartlett

I love my new job.

I know I’m in the honeymoon phase since I’ve only spent six days on the job, but I am already completely infatuated. Among those things which make me believe my job and I are a match made in heaven is the fact that I attended a meeting yesterday that started with a moment of gratitude.

Everyone in attendance was given an opportunity to express his/her thanks for something. I gave thanks for my new job… and for the fact that my heat pump is still working.

On the coldest morning so far this fall, my ancient heat pump groaned a bit, but it still managed to do its job. Several people giggled when I said this, but I truly am grateful. I am also grateful that there is a roof over my head, a bed to sleep in every night and food in my refrigerator and cupboards. Many people don’t have any of those things.

But the fact I do always makes me smile.

Day 143: Having my Family’s Basic Needs Met Day 142: When Our Children Become Role Models Day 141: Random Acts of Kindness

Day 140; People Watching Day 139: Sharing Interests with My Children Day 138: Eleanor Roosevelt’s Best Advice Day 137: Weird Human Behavior about Garbage Day 136: Postcards from Heaven Day 135: Mickey Mouse Day 134: Generous Souls Day 133: I’m Moving On Day 132: A Family That is Really Family Day 131: A Personal Motto Day 130: Mork and Mindy Day 129: The Bears’ House Day 128: Veterans Day 127: Doppelgangers Day 126: Letting Life Unfold as It Should Day 125: The Constantly Changing Sky Day 124: When History Repeats Itself Day 123: The Love Scene in The Sound of Music Day 122: Helen Keller Day 121: The Welcome Back Kotter Theme Song Day 120: Sheldon Cooper Day 119: Having Permission to Make Mistakes Day 118: A Diverse Group of Friends Day 117: Family Traditions Day 116: The Haunting Season Day 115; Life Experience Day 114: Changes Day 113: The Wooly Bear Caterpillar Day 112: The National Anthem Day 111: Parents Who Care Day 110: Good Friends Day 109: My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss Day 108: A.A. Milne Quotes Day 107: Spending Time Wisely Day 106: Parades Day 105: The Peanuts Gang Dancing Day 104: Sharing a Secret Language Day 103: The Electric Company Day 102: Doing the Right Thing Day 101: When Siblings Agree Day 100: Being Optimistic Day 99: Trying Something New Day 98: The Sound of Children on a Playground Day 97: Good Advice Day 96: Red and white peppermint candy Day 95: The Soundtrack from the Movie Shrek Day 94: Accepting Change Day 93: True Love Day 92: Camera Phones Day 91: Bicycle Brakes Day 90: Heroes Day 89: The Cricket in Times Square Day 88: The Grand Canyon Day 87: Unanswered Prayers Day 86: Apples Fresh from the Orchard Day 85: Being Human Day 84: Captain Underpants Day 83: The Diary of Anne Frank Day 82: In Cold Blood Day 81: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Day 80: The Outsiders Day 79: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Day 78: The First Amendment Day 77: People Who Touch Our Lives Day 76: The Rewards of Parenting Day 75: Improvements Day 74: Family Traditions Day 73: Learning From Our Mistakes Day 72: Live Music Day 71: Sleeping In Day 70: Grover Day 69: A Good Hair Day Day 68: A Sense of Community Day 67: Kindness Day 66: Living in a Place You Love Day 65: Gifts from the Heart Day 64: The Arrival of Fall Day 63: To Kill a Mockingbird Day 62: Green Lights Day 61: My Canine Friends Day 60: Differences Day 59: A New Box of Crayons Day 58: Bookworms Day 57: Being Oblivious Day 56: Three-day Weekends Day 55: A Cat Purring Day 54: Being a Unique Individual Da y 53: Children’s Artwork Day 52: Lefties Day 51: The Neighborhood Deer Day 50: C ampfires Day 49: Childhood Crushes Day 48: The Words “Miss You” Day 47: Birthday Stories Day 46: Nature’s Hold on Us Day 45: Play-Doh Day 44: First Day of School Pictures Day 43: Calvin and Hobbes Day 42: Appreciative Readers Day 41: Marilyn Monroe’s Best Quote Day 40: Being Silly Day 39: Being Happy Exactly Where You Are Day 38: Proud Grandparents Day 37: Chocolate Chip Cookies Day 36: Challenging Experiences that Make Great Stories Day 35: You Can’t Always Get What You Want Day 34: Accepting the Fog Day 33: I See the Moon Day 32: The Stonehenge Scene from This is Spinal Tap Day 31: Perspective Day 30: Unlikely Friendships Day 29: Good Samaritans Day 28: Am I a Man or Am I a Muppet? Day 27: Shadows Day 26: Bike Riding on Country Roads Day 25: When Harry Met Sally Day 24: Hibiscus Day 23: The Ice Cream Truck Day 22: The Wonderful World of Disney Day 21: Puppy love Day 20 Personal Theme Songs Day 19: Summer Clouds Day 18: Bartholomew Cubbin’s Victory Day 17: A Royal Birth Day 16: Creative Kids Day 15: The Scent of Honeysuckle Day 14: Clip of Kevin Kline Exploring His Masculinity Day 13: Random Text Messages from My Daughter Day 12: Round Bales of Hay Day 11: Water Fountains for Dogs Day 10: The Rainier Beer Motorcycle Commercial Day 9: Four-Leaf Clovers Day 8: Great Teachers We Still Remember Day 7: Finding the missing sock Day 6: Children’s books that teach life-long lessons Day 5: The Perfect Photo at the Perfect Moment Day 4: Jumping in Puddles Day 3: The Ride Downhill after the Struggle Uphill Day 2: Old Photographs Day 1: The Martians on Sesame Street

Posted in Family, My life, perspective

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Tags: 365 reasons to smile, gratitude, happiness, musings, perspective, smiles

365 Reasons to Smile – Day 142

Nov 25

Posted by Trina Bartlett

I was on the phone with my children’s piano teacher, Kinsey, the other day, and she said my daughter no longer thinks that she’s cool. (When Kendall started piano lessons, Kinsey was engaged, now she is married with a nearly four year-old daughter.)

“That’s o.k.,” said Kinsey. “I understand. It’s her turn to be cool. My daughter wants to be just like her. She wants to wear her hair like Kendall and buy boots like Kendall’s.”

Kendall enjoys watching over and caring for younger girls, but until recently, I never realized that they might think that she is “cool.” Then yesterday in church, I watched her interact with a 6 year-old girl, and I realized how the little girl was looking up to my daughter.

The fact that my daughter can be a role model for others will always make me smile.

Day 142: When Our Children Become Role Models Day 141: Random Acts of Kindness

Posted in Family, My life, perspective

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Tags: 365 reasons to smile, children, musings, role models, smiles, strong girls, strong women

365 Reasons to Smile – Day 141

Nov 24

Posted by Trina Bartlett

I had been in my new office less than an hour when I received a delivery. I hadn’t even sat down at my desk when it arrived, and I wasn’t just surprised, I was also puzzled.

But the card revealed it was from “the Kaya Krew,” a group of friends.

A few hours later, I sent my friends an email thank you note. What I didn’t realize was that one person had sent the arrangement on behalf of the whole group, and no one else knew who that person was or that she had even sent it.

The sender has now become known as the “Kaya fairy,” and I have s feeling that she’ll be making more appearances over the next few years.

Such random acts of kindness with no expectation of recognition always make me smile.

Day 141: Random Acts of Kindness

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Tags: 365 reasons to smile, friendship, giving, musings, People, random acts of kindness, smiles

365 Reasons to Smile – Day 140

Nov 23

Posted by Trina Bartlett

I love to people watch. If I had the time, I could do it all day, but I rarely have the time and even when I do, I’m usually interrupted. Generally, I’m interrupted by the people whom I am watching.

For the record, I don’t stare or act inappropriate when people walk by me. But, for some reason, they know I’m watching and take that as an invitation to start talking.

During a recent shopping trip with my children,, they both wanted something to eat. I gave them a few dollars and told them I’d sit down and watch our packages while they went and bought food. No sooner had they left when I observed a woman with a walker approaching. As she got closer, I smiled politely, but I definitely didn’t stare. Apparently I did something that she took as an invitation, because she began telling me about her recent knee operation and even asked me advice about having a total knee replacement.

I don’t think I look particularly intelligent nor do I look like I possess any kind of medical knowledge. But that didn’t matter, and we chatted for several minutes.

That wasn’t an unusual instance, and after years of engaging in conversations about the personal lives and health problems of receptions, cashiers and random strangers, I’ve come to realize that there might as well be a sign over my head that says, “She’ll listen, because people simply interest her.”

I like to people watch, but what I like even more is that strangers trust me enough to give a little bit of themselves to me.

And that always makes me smile.

Day 140; People Watching

Day 139: Sharing Interests with My Children Day 138: Eleanor Roosevelt’s Best Advice Day 137: Weird Human Behavior about Garbage Day 136: Postcards from Heaven Day 135: Mickey Mouse Day 134: Generous Souls Day 133: I’m Moving On Day 132: A Family That is Really Family Day 131: A Personal Motto Day 130: Mork and Mindy Day 129: The Bears’ House Day 128: Veterans Day 127: Doppelgangers Day 126: Letting Life Unfold as It Should Day 125: The Constantly Changing Sky Day 124: When History Repeats Itself Day 123: The Love Scene in The Sound of Music Day 122: Helen Keller Day 121: The Welcome Back Kotter Theme Song Day 120: Sheldon Cooper Day 119: Having Permission to Make Mistakes Day 118: A Diverse Group of Friends Day 117: Family Traditions Day 116: The Haunting Season Day 115; Life Experience Day 114: Changes Day 113: The Wooly Bear Caterpillar Day 112: The National Anthem Day 111: Parents Who Care Day 110: Good Friends Day 109: My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss Day 108: A.A. Milne Quotes Day 107: Spending Time Wisely Day 106: Parades Day 105: The Peanuts Gang Dancing Day 104: Sharing a Secret Language Day 103: The Electric Company Day 102: Doing the Right Thing Day 101: When Siblings Agree Day 100: Being Optimistic Day 99: Trying Something New Day 98: The Sound of Children on a Playground Day 97: Good Advice Day 96: Red and white peppermint candy Day 95: The Soundtrack from the Movie Shrek Day 94: Accepting Change Day 93: True Love Day 92: Camera Phones Day 91: Bicycle Brakes Day 90: Heroes Day 89: The Cricket in Times Square Day 88: The Grand Canyon Day 87: Unanswered Prayers Day 86: Apples Fresh from the Orchard Day 85: Being Human Day 84: Captain Underpants Day 83: The Diary of Anne Frank Day 82: In Cold Blood Day 81: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Day 80: The Outsiders Day 79: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Day 78: The First Amendment Day 77: People Who Touch Our Lives Day 76: The Rewards of Parenting Day 75: Improvements Day 74: Family Traditions Day 73: Learning From Our Mistakes Day 72: Live Music Day 71: Sleeping In Day 70: Grover Day 69: A Good Hair Day Day 68: A Sense of Community Day 67: Kindness Day 66: Living in a Place You Love Day 65: Gifts from the Heart Day 64: The Arrival of Fall Day 63: To Kill a Mockingbird Day 62: Green Lights Day 61: My Canine Friends Day 60: Differences Day 59: A New Box of Crayons Day 58: Bookworms Day 57: Being Oblivious Day 56: Three-day Weekends Day 55: A Cat Purring Day 54: Being a Unique Individual Da y 53: Children’s Artwork Day 52: Lefties Day 51: The Neighborhood Deer Day 50: C ampfires Day 49: Childhood Crushes Day 48: The Words “Miss You” Day 47: Birthday Stories Day 46: Nature’s Hold on Us Day 45: Play-Doh Day 44: First Day of School Pictures Day 43: Calvin and Hobbes Day 42: Appreciative Readers Day 41: Marilyn Monroe’s Best Quote Day 40: Being Silly Day 39: Being Happy Exactly Where You Are Day 38: Proud Grandparents Day 37: Chocolate Chip Cookies Day 36: Challenging Experiences that Make Great Stories Day 35: You Can’t Always Get What You Want Day 34: Accepting the Fog Day 33: I See the Moon Day 32: The Stonehenge Scene from This is Spinal Tap Day 31: Perspective Day 30: Unlikely Friendships Day 29: Good Samaritans Day 28: Am I a Man or Am I a Muppet? Day 27: Shadows Day 26: Bike Riding on Country Roads Day 25: When Harry Met Sally Day 24: Hibiscus Day 23: The Ice Cream Truck Day 22: The Wonderful World of Disney Day 21: Puppy love Day 20 Personal Theme Songs Day 19: Summer Clouds Day 18: Bartholomew Cubbin’s Victory Day 17: A Royal Birth Day 16: Creative Kids Day 15: The Scent of Honeysuckle Day 14: Clip of Kevin Kline Exploring His Masculinity Day 13: Random Text Messages from My Daughter Day 12: Round Bales of Hay Day 11: Water Fountains for Dogs Day 10: The Rainier Beer Motorcycle Commercial Day 9: Four-Leaf Clovers Day 8: Great Teachers We Still Remember Day 7: Finding the missing sock Day 6: Children’s books that teach life-long lessons Day 5: The Perfect Photo at the Perfect Moment Day 4: Jumping in Puddles Day 3: The Ride Downhill after the Struggle Uphill Day 2: Old Photographs Day 1: The Martians on Sesame Street

Posted in Family, My life, perspective

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Tags: 365 reasons to smile, music, People, perspective, smiles, strangers, trust

365 Reasons to Smile – Day 139

Nov 22

Posted by Trina Bartlett

I absolutely love driving my children to school. Generally, that involves my daughter and her BFF, who are both in seventh grade, sitting in the back seat while my son, who is a sophomore in high school, sits in the front seat.

To be honest, they simply entertain me.

The girls babble on, and my son grunts and groans at them as he drinks his morning coffee.

The kids simply live on different planets.

This couldn’t have been more evident than the other day when one of the girls said something I don’t even remember, other than the phrase included the “I am the fox.”

As a Beatles fan, my immediate response was “I am the Walrus.”

The girls didn’t understand my random comment and giggled uncontrollably in the back seat, but my son, in his usual deadpan voice, said “goo goo goo joob.”

This is the same son who stole my black and white framed photo of the Beatles to decorate his own walls.

Having something in common with my 15-year old son always makes me smile.

Day 139: Sharing Interests with my Children

Day 138: Eleanor Roosevelt’s Best Advice Day 137: Weird Human Behavior about Garbage Day 136: Postcards from Heaven Day 135: Mickey Mouse Day 134: Generous Souls Day 133: I’m Moving On Day 132: A Family That is Really Family Day 131: A Personal Motto Day 130: Mork and Mindy Day 129: The Bears’ House Day 128: Veterans Day 127: Doppelgangers Day 126: Letting Life Unfold as It Should Day 125: The Constantly Changing Sky Day 124: When History Repeats Itself Day 123: The Love Scene in The Sound of Music Day 122: Helen Keller Day 121: The Welcome Back Kotter Theme Song Day 120: Sheldon Cooper Day 119: Having Permission to Make Mistakes Day 118: A Diverse Group of Friends Day 117: Family Traditions Day 116: The Haunting Season Day 115; Life Experience Day 114: Changes Day 113: The Wooly Bear Caterpillar Day 112: The National Anthem Day 111: Parents Who Care Day 110: Good Friends Day 109: My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss Day 108: A.A. Milne Quotes Day 107: Spending Time Wisely Day 106: Parades Day 105: The Peanuts Gang Dancing Day 104: Sharing a Secret Language Day 103: The Electric Company Day 102: Doing the Right Thing Day 101: When Siblings Agree Day 100: Being Optimistic Day 99: Trying Something New Day 98: The Sound of Children on a Playground Day 97: Good Advice Day 96: Red and white peppermint candy Day 95: The Soundtrack from the Movie Shrek Day 94: Accepting Change Day 93: True Love Day 92: Camera Phones Day 91: Bicycle Brakes Day 90: Heroes Day 89: The Cricket in Times Square Day 88: The Grand Canyon Day 87: Unanswered Prayers Day 86: Apples Fresh from the Orchard Day 85: Being Human Day 84: Captain Underpants Day 83: The Diary of Anne Frank Day 82: In Cold Blood Day 81: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Day 80: The Outsiders Day 79: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Day 78: The First Amendment Day 77: People Who Touch Our Lives Day 76: The Rewards of Parenting Day 75: Improvements Day 74: Family Traditions Day 73: Learning From Our Mistakes Day 72: Live Music Day 71: Sleeping In Day 70: Grover Day 69: A Good Hair Day Day 68: A Sense of Community Day 67: Kindness Day 66: Living in a Place You Love Day 65: Gifts from the Heart Day 64: The Arrival of Fall Day 63: To Kill a Mockingbird Day 62: Green Lights Day 61: My Canine Friends Day 60: Differences Day 59: A New Box of Crayons Day 58: Bookworms Day 57: Being Oblivious Day 56: Three-day Weekends Day 55: A Cat Purring Day 54: Being a Unique Individual Da y 53: Children’s Artwork Day 52: Lefties Day 51: The Neighborhood Deer Day 50: C ampfires Day 49: Childhood Crushes Day 48: The Words “Miss You” Day 47: Birthday Stories Day 46: Nature’s Hold on Us Day 45: Play-Doh Day 44: First Day of School Pictures Day 43: Calvin and Hobbes Day 42: Appreciative Readers Day 41: Marilyn Monroe’s Best Quote Day 40: Being Silly Day 39: Being Happy Exactly Where You Are Day 38: Proud Grandparents Day 37: Chocolate Chip Cookies Day 36: Challenging Experiences that Make Great Stories Day 35: You Can’t Always Get What You Want Day 34: Accepting the Fog Day 33: I See the Moon Day 32: The Stonehenge Scene from This is Spinal Tap Day 31: Perspective Day 30: Unlikely Friendships Day 29: Good Samaritans Day 28: Am I a Man or Am I a Muppet? Day 27: Shadows Day 26: Bike Riding on Country Roads Day 25: When Harry Met Sally Day 24: Hibiscus Day 23: The Ice Cream Truck Day 22: The Wonderful World of Disney Day 21: Puppy love Day 20 Personal Theme Songs Day 19: Summer Clouds Day 18: Bartholomew Cubbin’s Victory Day 17: A Royal Birth Day 16: Creative Kids Day 15: The Scent of Honeysuckle Day 14: Clip of Kevin Kline Exploring His Masculinity Day 13: Random Text Messages from My Daughter Day 12: Round Bales of Hay Day 11: Water Fountains for Dogs Day 10: The Rainier Beer Motorcycle Commercial Day 9: Four-Leaf Clovers Day 8: Great Teachers We Still Remember Day 7: Finding the missing sock Day 6: Children’s books that teach life-long lessons Day 5: The Perfect Photo at the Perfect Moment Day 4: Jumping in Puddles Day 3: The Ride Downhill after the Struggle Uphill Day 2: Old Photographs Day 1: The Martians on Sesame Street

Posted in Family, My life, perspective

55 Comments

Tags: 365 reasons to smile, children, music, musings, People, perspective, smiles, The Beatles

365 Reasons to Smile – Day 138

Nov 21

Posted by Trina Bartlett

I’m getting to the age where people start complaining about problems associated with getting older.

What we generally don’t do is express gratitude for 1) the fact that we have been granted the time to grow older and 2) how much we’ve grown emotionally and spiritually through the years.

For example, I used to worry about whether I was living up to other people’s expectations and what other people thought about me.

To counter my concerns, I taped a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt to my mirror: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

Those are words to live by, and I’m thoroughly convinced those words helped me improve with age.

Because of that, Eleanor Roosevelt’s best advice always make me smile.

Day 138: Eleanor Roosevelt’s Advice

Day 137: Weird Human Behavior about Garbage Day 136: Postcards from Heaven Day 135: Mickey Mouse Day 134: Generous Souls Day 133: I’m Moving On Day 132: A Family That is Really Family Day 131: A Personal Motto Day 130: Mork and Mindy Day 129: The Bears’ House Day 128: Veterans Day 127: Doppelgangers Day 126: Letting Life Unfold as It Should Day 125: The Constantly Changing Sky Day 124: When History Repeats Itself Day 123: The Love Scene in The Sound of Music Day 122: Helen Keller Day 121: The Welcome Back Kotter Theme Song Day 120: Sheldon Cooper Day 119: Having Permission to Make Mistakes Day 118: A Diverse Group of Friends Day 117: Family Traditions Day 116: The Haunting Season Day 115; Life Experience Day 114: Changes Day 113: The Wooly Bear Caterpillar Day 112: The National Anthem Day 111: Parents Who Care Day 110: Good Friends Day 109: My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss Day 108: A.A. Milne Quotes Day 107: Spending Time Wisely Day 106: Parades Day 105: The Peanuts Gang Dancing Day 104: Sharing a Secret Language Day 103: The Electric Company Day 102: Doing the Right Thing Day 101: When Siblings Agree Day 100: Being Optimistic Day 99: Trying Something New Day 98: The Sound of Children on a Playground Day 97: Good Advice Day 96: Red and white peppermint candy Day 95: The Soundtrack from the Movie Shrek Day 94: Accepting Change Day 93: True Love Day 92: Camera Phones Day 91: Bicycle Brakes Day 90: Heroes Day 89: The Cricket in Times Square Day 88: The Grand Canyon Day 87: Unanswered Prayers Day 86: Apples Fresh from the Orchard Day 85: Being Human Day 84: Captain Underpants Day 83: The Diary of Anne Frank Day 82: In Cold Blood Day 81: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Day 80: The Outsiders Day 79: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Day 78: The First Amendment Day 77: People Who Touch Our Lives Day 76: The Rewards of Parenting Day 75: Improvements Day 74: Family Traditions Day 73: Learning From Our Mistakes Day 72: Live Music Day 71: Sleeping In Day 70: Grover Day 69: A Good Hair Day Day 68: A Sense of Community Day 67: Kindness Day 66: Living in a Place You Love Day 65: Gifts from the Heart Day 64: The Arrival of Fall Day 63: To Kill a Mockingbird Day 62: Green Lights Day 61: My Canine Friends Day 60: Differences Day 59: A New Box of Crayons Day 58: Bookworms Day 57: Being Oblivious Day 56: Three-day Weekends Day 55: A Cat Purring Day 54: Being a Unique Individual Da y 53: Children’s Artwork Day 52: Lefties Day 51: The Neighborhood Deer Day 50: C ampfires Day 49: Childhood Crushes Day 48: The Words “Miss You” Day 47: Birthday Stories Day 46: Nature’s Hold on Us Day 45: Play-Doh Day 44: First Day of School Pictures Day 43: Calvin and Hobbes Day 42: Appreciative Readers Day 41: Marilyn Monroe’s Best Quote Day 40: Being Silly Day 39: Being Happy Exactly Where You Are Day 38: Proud Grandparents Day 37: Chocolate Chip Cookies Day 36: Challenging Experiences that Make Great Stories Day 35: You Can’t Always Get What You Want Day 34: Accepting the Fog Day 33: I See the Moon Day 32: The Stonehenge Scene from This is Spinal Tap Day 31: Perspective Day 30: Unlikely Friendships Day 29: Good Samaritans Day 28: Am I a Man or Am I a Muppet? Day 27: Shadows Day 26: Bike Riding on Country Roads Day 25: When Harry Met Sally Day 24: Hibiscus Day 23: The Ice Cream Truck Day 22: The Wonderful World of Disney Day 21: Puppy love Day 20 Personal Theme Songs Day 19: Summer Clouds Day 18: Bartholomew Cubbin’s Victory Day 17: A Royal Birth Day 16: Creative Kids Day 15: The Scent of Honeysuckle Day 14: Clip of Kevin Kline Exploring His Masculinity Day 13: Random Text Messages from My Daughter Day 12: Round Bales of Hay Day 11: Water Fountains for Dogs Day 10: The Rainier Beer Motorcycle Commercial Day 9: Four-Leaf Clovers Day 8: Great Teachers We Still Remember Day 7: Finding the missing sock Day 6: Children’s books that teach life-long lessons Day 5: The Perfect Photo at the Perfect Moment Day 4: Jumping in Puddles Day 3: The Ride Downhill after the Struggle Uphill Day 2: Old Photographs Day 1: The Martians on Sesame Street

Posted in Family, My life, perspective

53 Comments

Tags: 365 reasons to smile, aging, Eleanor Roosevelt, life, musings, People, perspective, quotes, self esteem, smiles

365 Reasons to Smile – Day 137

Nov 20

Posted by Trina Bartlett

There are certain human behaviors I will never understand.

Take, for example, the practice in my neighborhood of putting the garbage cans out the evening before the garbage is to be picked up.

I would understand this practice if the garbage men arrived early, but they don’t. They arrive after the school buses have picked up children and after most people have left for work.

And yet, on the evening before garbage day, my neighbors continue to put their garbage on “the curb.”

Their behavior results in raccoon, possums, dogs and who knows what else getting into the garbage and dragging it around the neighborhood.

I had been puzzling about this “evening before garbage pickup” for a while, when someone pushed the envelope.

I was walking my dog near the park last year when I noticed a garbage can in a tree. There was no explanation, and the garbage can stayed there for weeks.