I'm happiest when...

[pinkytoe]

Before I retired, I dreamed of being able to spend a whole day outside puttering in the garden. And now if the weather cooperates and I'm not otherwise occupied, I am happiest when I am out playing in the dirt, planting, weeding, arranging rocks and pathways. You?

[Yppej]

Floating on my back in a still body of water.

[herbgeek]

If I'm not joining Pinkytoe in the dirt, it's hiking particularly near the ocean (e.g. Acadia National Park)

[rosarugosa]

Walking in the woods, on the rail trail or on the beach.

[Ultralight]

Ditto on the beach, especially Frischman Beach in Tel Aviv -- the sunsets, the waves, the flafl stands, the tan Israeli women in little bikinis. Paradise. Happiest moments.

I can think of a handful of very happy times in my life:

Back in 2012 my then wife and I were moving from AZ to OH. We took the pace leisurely. We camped in a tent and stayed with friends along the way. We only drove 4 or 5 hours a day. She and I were very happy during that time, during that trip. And we had both dogs.

I remember laying in the tent at night with her and with both dogs down at out feet. We were laughing, joking, telling each other stories. Such a pleasant week. Simply living on the road.

In Uruguay I had a little one room apartment. I was on the 7th floor with a balcony. I could look to one side and see a lovely city park. If I looked straight ahead I saw the city of Montevideo. If I looked to the other side I saw the beach. Perfect weather. Very happy moments.

[razz]

With Pinkytoe in gardening season or, in winter, sitting in my favourite chair with sun shining on the snow, music playing, dog at my feet and reading.

[catherine]

Hanging out with my family, anywhere.

[LDAHL]

I’m happiest when my wife and kid are happy. The rest is just mild amusement.

[Gardnr]

only 1?

Gardening.....or preserving the harvest and then eating it in the dead of winter.

Downhill skiing. The beauty of the snow and the majesty of the mountains snow covered and trees flocked with fresh powder.

Walks on the beach....when we go there.

Time with family.....doesn't matter what we're doing or where. Could be hubby and I sitting on the couch together watching a football game or NASCAR. Even after 38years we love hanging out together.

Quilting.....any part of the process...it brings me great joy and peace to make quilts from beginning to end.

Having my cat curled up in my lap purring......

[Lainey]

- just being with my SO. We do lots of "parallel play" like me reading and talking to him while he's cooking, or both of us doing yardwork together, etc.

- watching my toddler granddaughter learn to do new things and also hearing her laugh -- nothing in the world like a baby's laugh

- being with like-minded friends so we can advise each other on things to do to help our little corner of the world be better

[iris lilies]

Like pinkytoe, I get into the flow when gardening and yes, moving the rocks! My new place requied some rock moving and rearranging to build small walls and it was fun. There is a big rebuild-wall project that may not be so fun, though.

I get into the flow also when making floral,arrangements and when things click. They dont always click. I am currently working on 7 exhibits for an upcoming flower show and I am not enthusiastic about any of them. I feel a whole lot of 3rd and 4th place ribbons coming on.:)

[gimmethesimplelife]

I'm happiest when.....I have at least six months of float. In the Spring when my roses start blooming. During the first summer monsoon storm. When the system does something right. At a particularly spirited protest. When I offshore medical and dental and optical to Mexico and realize to the penny how much money I've saved because I love and respect myself enough to cross a border to save money. When I run across people who are like minded and who "get it". When I handle a rough last minute situation at work well. There are more examples, these are the first to come to mind. Rob

PS Here's a big one - when I see people I know in the 85006 overcoming odds.....and when same said people stand up to America.

[Tammy]

Everything around me is totally silent.

It’s rare.

[ApatheticNoMore]

When hiking in a natural area with another person, and maybe getting something to eat afterward. In early fall (this really is my favorite season, provided it's not too hot). Doing good with like minded people (which to me is hippies and idealistic counter-culture, it really is closest to my people, even though I don't really fit in anywhere). With my boyfriend sometimes.

[Teacher Terry]

I love being outside. Since we have cooled off eating most of our meals outside. Yesterday drove to my DIL’s condo and spent the night since my son is out of town. Went to a great restaurant where they smoke the ribs and ate outside. Then back to their place where we sat on balcony that backs up to the woods. Talked for hours and had a great time.

[Gardenarian]

Riding my bike. It's the closest feeling I know to actually flying.

When I dance I'm totally focussed on the choreography and my form. It's really a joy.

My daughter has moved out (nearby) and she stops by one or two evenings a week and we talk about her life. It's great to have this intentional time together.

I'm in pain or a lot of discomfort much of the time, and reading is a real refuge. Books have saved my life.