What makes you smile?

Watching my son discover (and get excited about) the natural world. Went through it with oldest, going through it now with the middle son, look forward to going through it again with the babe.

Three year old logic. We were planting spearmint in a little patch in front of our house, and my son was fascinated by the ants and worms. He asked if ants bite. I told him no, these are black ants and they don't bite. But some red ants do.

So as he's holding a worm he asks if they bite. I tell him no, earthworms do not bite. A second later, he give out a playful "yikes" and drops the worm. I ask him what happened. His response, "It was a red worm, and red worms bite."

Beer...unfortunately...

Beautiful girls. Finishing a story. A whole slew of other, very shallow things, alas and alack...

I just finished writing a short biography of the famous Norwegian Oceanographer, Fridtjof Nansen (part of a non-fiction project). In addition to his scientific accomplishments, he was a statesman and was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1922. Right up to his death, he was involved in humanitarian efforts throughout the world. I found an unattributed quote that made me smile--quite inspirational:

"...it is not strictly correct to say he (Nansen) died of a heart failure; he died because his heart never failed."

Beer. Not unfortunately.

The greening of the world after winter.

The diminishing of clothing on pretty women after winter.

I think these were on my last list, but what the heck:

The first 12 measures of Scheherezade.

When my niece hugs my leg and won't let go.

When I can still make my wife laugh out loud after 11 years.

Hugs from my boys. At their ages, they are just starting to not be embarassed by mom hugs again. It's awesome.

Good jokes, friends, and music. Rain, my brother. Doing well at something.

.

Watching children play. Having an earnest conversation with a toddler. Watching an elderly couple hold hands. Releasing a fish. Reading threads like this.

My dogs always make me smile--even when they're doing things they shouldn't. Dogs are the greatest comedians and most adoring friends.

Watching my friend's 7 1/2 month old son discover his surroundings while walking the dogs. We did that yesterday, awesome

William's softer side?

My husband.

My dog--when she's not waking me up at 2 a.m to pee

My cat--when she's not waking me up at 1 a.m. to play

Flowers

The momma bird and her babies nesting in the treehanging over my deck

New shoes

my favorite picture of my kids.


Hearing my kids sing.


Seeing my husband walk through the front door early.

Hearing my mom say that she can't move here until late next year.

When my cat shows me her fat belly.

William Haskins picture of that kitty.

Compliments from my best friend at AW.

Rep points.

Funny posts.

When my kids are asleep.

aka eraser said:

Having an earnest conversation with a toddler.

Click to expand...

I totally second this one. Nothing points out all the assumptions adults have learned to make more than talking to someone who hasn't learned to make them yet.

I also love having conversations with my niece who's not yet two. She doesn't have many words, but she still manages to get her meaning across.

I agree wholeheartedly with the Ferret and JComp. . .

I smile -
When my lousy morning temper finally gives in to the new day
When my husband comes home from work
When I see a puppy, any puppy, discovering the world
When my son calls me Mom instead of my name
When I'm done with my chores
Whenever I hear the voice of someone I love
When I write, and the pen starts moving by itself

When I come back from a work and have the trainer tell me I went in 21, or something.

Let's see, I would say my occipitofrontalis , temporoparietalis , auricularis anterior, orbicularis oculi , levator palpebrae superioris , depressor supercilii, corrugator supercilii, Procerus, Nasalis, depressor septi, levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, levator labii superioris, zygomaticus minor, levator anguli oris , zygomaticus major , risorius , mentalis , depressor labii inferioris , depressor anguli oris , buccinator , orbicularis oris , incisivus labii superioris , incisivus labii inferioris and my Platysma.

But not necessarily in that order.

This:

I don't smile. I bare my teeth. People misinterpret this to mean that I am happy when I'm about to eat them.

Maryn said:

Playing peek-a-boo with grouchy or crying babies in the grocery store. Yeah, I probably look silly doing it, but I don't care. When I can turn that kid's mood around (and probably the parent's, too), I can't help smiling, and remembering the days when I'd have given plenty for some stranger to 'happify' my little one while I did what had to be done.

Maryn, whose little ones ain't so little

Click to expand...

Yep. I’ve done that one. It always seems to happen when a woman in the supermarket is fumbling around her purse looking for change, or writing a check. Little baby is sitting in the grocery cart swinging his arms and screaming its head off, must be a few years old, or less. Mama looks embarrassed and under stress. Yah lean forward a bit and look right into that babies face and smile as soon as it notices you. Boy, that smile breaks out right away on it’s face and you hear it breakout in baby talk.

Dogs and cats most animals can be funny, I can tell stories about cows, or cattle that can crack yah up. Yup, did you know a Black Angus Bull could smile and plot foolishness? Bet yah didn’t.

Nice thread rhymegirl.