A List of Little Joys

I've been trying to think of a clever blogging topic all day, to no avail. Instead, I will share a completely random list of little things that bring me joy.

1. New Furniture
Everything about new furniture. How clean it is. How comfortable. How none of the cushions are squished out of shape, and none of the springs are poking you through a worn-down mattress. The smell. It's like new car smell, only better.
(Why yes, I did get new furniture today. Why do you ask?)

2. Good Stories
I don't care if these stories are told to me by a friend, written in a book, shown on television, read over the radio, sung in a song, projected at the movie theatre...I love stories. I admit I am not the most critical consumer of movies/TV/books/theatre because it takes something genuinely terrible to put me off the possibility of a new story.

3. A Pot of Tea
Black, green, white, oolong, rooibos, herbal, tisane. I love tea. I love the sacrament of preparation, of making sure the ingredients are added in the right order and the perfect ratio. Then, when it's all prepared, there is nothing quite like sitting down, inhaling that first hint of aroma, and tasting. I feel about tea the way I feel about wine, although I know more about tea, so that adds a layer of appreciation.

4. Good Drink
In the last year I was introduced to straight vodka--something I never imagined I would enjoy. Until I tried good vodka. Really, really good vodka. All of a sudden adding a mixer seemed like sacrilege. (I have since been introduced to really, really good gin and really, really good tequila. Anyone out there want to introduce me to really, really good rum? I have tried scotch, but I'm not quite...there yet.)

5. Good Food
This almost speaks for itself. My cuisine of choice is usually French---they know how to put together a palate-pleasing plate, that's for sure. But there's not much I don't enjoy. Except kiwis. I'll probably die if I eat kiwis, and that would definitely not make it on the 'life's little joys' list.

6. Good Company
With no slight meant to my husband, this is what I miss the most here in New York. I don't actually know anyone. And I am shy, so getting to know people is not as easy (for me) as sitting next to the same guy three days in a row at the tearoom (Hi, blondish dude with white Mac! How are you?) and striking up a conversation. And, much as it pains me to admit, talking to friends via email, chat and phone just doesn't feel the same. However, the positive side is---I now realize how much I appreciate good company! The funny thing with introversion (and I am, despite the arguments of several of my friends, an introvert) is that, for the most part, I don't need to be around people. But I want to. And I love each and every person who has ever shared some of the aforementioned good drink, good food or pots of tea with me.