There are two things that if they appear in my life randomly, I just have to smile, it is reflex. My smile is not conscious, it just happens and is mile wide. For a moment, all is right with the world no matter what mood I am in.
Now pictures of these things don't work. Seeing them in a movie or on TV doesn't work. I have to see them in person and since they are not common everyday items, it doesn't happen that often. Thus the element of surprise adds to my pleasure.
No, I don't take a picture for that doesn't work for me. I have no explanation for this.
The second is a Volkswagen Bug. Oh, I love those little cars and I didn't get one till I was 59 years old and it was a 78 model. It had been a long time want but it took me a while to take the plunge.
I was living in Florida and the little cars don't have air conditioning which is kind of important in the tropics. It wasn't until a mechanic friend was going to sell his that I tumbled. I knew it was in great mechanical shape but it did need some cosmetic help.
Reba--you know I name things--became my project. I had her painted Porsche red and the seats covered in a leather look vinyl. I took to the roads a proud mama. You have heard of chick magnets, well Reba was an old codger magnet. It seems every guy of a certain age either owned one or ran with someone who did back in the day and had to look her over.
 |
| Yes, that is me changing her oil. |
We had a grand 4 years together till I sold her right before coming to Arkansas. Sad day but I needed something that would carry a lot of stuff. I saw that she went to a good home.
So those are my two weaknesses that make me smile every single time they enter my life however briefly. Seeing any VW bug or a new born foal.
Do you have something or maybe a couple of things that when ever you spy one, your whole attitude changes and a happy grin appears?
Kittens and puppies get me every time. Since my sister drives a Mini, I smile every time I see one of those, too. :-)
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteI understand the Mini. Besides being your sister's, they sure are cute.
Baby anything makes me smile, Patti. Your VW bug was certainly a cutie.
ReplyDeleteOut to Pasture,
DeleteI read once that nature made the progeny cute so the parents would want to keep them. Kind of works doesn't it?
Loads of things make me smile, lots of times even just a thought. This is a good thing but I do tend to have wicked resting bitch-face that has the effect of scaring people away.
ReplyDeleteOlga,
DeleteI have heard about this condition. Can't say I have ever seen a picture of you that scared me.
What a fun post to read. My neighbors at the lake for years had VW's and almost every day they'd load it up with as many kids as would fit and they'd take us down to get ice cream. VW's make me smile, too.
ReplyDeleteBaby animals always make me smile too. Baby humans too but I'm kind of scared to pick them up and cuddle like I'd do with kittens and puppies.
Jean R,
DeleteUnderstand about baby humans. I just admire from a distance when they are at the head rolling stage:)) Puppies and kittens are much more sturdy.
a baby laughing and anything dogs.
ReplyDeleteI had a brand new 1974 bright yellow bug.
It had no heat or air...or defrost.
I lived in the tundra so I understand your tropics comment. :-)
Peggy,
DeleteYikes, no heat would be brutal also. I was thinking today when I went to town how grateful I am for climate the controlled cars of today. Brr.
Labrador puppies and any MG sports car (mine was a '58 MGA). I owned a bug from '67 to '92, sold it for $50, for all I know it is still running. It must have been a great excuse for an older dude to strike up a conversation with a VW chick.
ReplyDeletejoeh,
DeleteWell now, I'll bet you looked really sporty in that model. Pretty sure that bug of yours is still running. They are hard to kill.
Any furry little critter makes me smile, and I love VWs. I had a 1966 VW with a sunroof that I bought in 1975. I loved that car. I wish I still had it. Whenever I see an old VW with a For Sale sign, I want to buy it!
ReplyDeleterobin,
DeleteSunroofs were cool. I'm like you about old Bugs. I really get the urge when I see a beat up one. I want to save it and make it better.
I smile a lot at the birds in our yard, especially when they take baths. And most baby animals of all kinds bring a smile as do goofy dogs.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn,
DeleteSo agree on goofy dogs. Cool ones are fine but goofy ones get your heart.
My neighbor has a VW Bug & it makes me smile every day!!
ReplyDeleteFran,
DeleteOoh, lucky you. I actually haven't seen one in a long time. I need a fix.
The sun shining. I can never resist singing the Beatles song 'Here comes the sun' when it appears. Just a pity I only know the chorus.
ReplyDeleteFun60,
DeleteOops, me too but that is the best part anyway.
You need to come visit me - you'd be grinning daily. There is an old Volkswagen parked behind a shed in town. Orange. I don't know if it runs or not. I smile alot spontaneously, but I really smile when I see an old couple holding hands. Sometimes, it's Bob and I!
ReplyDeleteBarb,
DeleteOoh, that orange one does sound tempting. The holding hands would get me too with maybe a happy tear mixed in.
PS I love the photo. That was a snazzy red. I've never changed oil in my life.
ReplyDeleteBarb,
DeleteHa ha, you aren't missing anything.
Kitties make me smile.
ReplyDeleteYou have probably seen photos on my blog of our family owned VW bus, which gets to go camping now and then and is an old guy attraction in our local 4th of July parade. Seeing it full of our kids makes me smile.
Linda R,
DeleteEvery time you post the picture of the bus, I know I comment how cool I think it is. They were the first RVs.
I have several things that make me smile wide; the ocean, newborn babies, giant climbable shady trees, small children playing in small wading pools.
ReplyDeleteRiver,
DeleteEveryone of those would make me smile also. Isn't it wonderful that there are so many things in our lives that make it better?
I can't stop with a couple... First, my new Great Granddaughter; Next--seeing or hearing from my sons; When George says "I love you" to me; the Views from the top of the mountain; Sunrises and Sunsets; On and On and On....
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I love VW Bugs also.....
Hugs,
Betsy
Betsy,
DeleteYou are blessed with so many dear things in your live that bring you joy. It always shows in the smile you and George always share at the end of you posts.
I can't say a car has ever made me smile, but I've definitely been happy when mine started on a cold day.
ReplyDeleteAs for what does make me smile, #1 would be my grandson. Something else are certain memories that come back to me. Like the times at the dinner table when one of us (kids) would start giggling and set the rest of us off.
Eileen
Eileen,
DeleteI know, it is often random memories that bring the smiles. You just made me smile as I remembered getting the case of the giggles at a funeral over a funny comment by a friend and the misery of trying to hold it in made it all the funnier.
Giggling babies (OK if the're on TV), kittens, donkey foals, llamas with badly aligned teeth, gentle snowfalls, and of course, puppies. Pictures of puppies, videos of puppies and I think I better stop now.....
ReplyDeleteInger,
DeleteAh don't stop. Enjoy those many things that bring you joy. I have never seen a donkey foal but I have a feeling it would get to me also.
Whenever I see one of my children or grandchildren I always smile. I'm in my happy place when I have them around me.
ReplyDeleteSnickelfritz,
DeleteAnd I'll bet you bring the happy smiles to them also.
1. 1950's stoves with their own shelves, porthole windows, a griddle in the middle, and two ovens.
ReplyDelete2. (more later.)
Mage,
DeleteThat is quite specific. Sounds like there are some memories attached.
Sweet Patti I enjoyed this post. My first new car was a Volkswagen Bug. I plan to blog about it at some point. As for things making me smile...I smile a lot so it is not easy to say any one or two things make me smile. I guess if I had to choose a couple it would be babies both human and animal. Hugs
ReplyDeleteMaggie,
DeleteLooking forward to your VW post. Me too on always smiling. I have been accused of being the last of the dyed in the wool grinners and have the lines to prove it:))
I know it sounds corny but when I see a message from my daughters to one another when they say they love each another etc. They used to get on so badly that I hoped and prayed as they grew older they become closer and they have. That's extra special as they are both adopted with different birth mothers.
ReplyDeleteOn a more superficial level, seeing a wicked cap I love.
Joey,
DeleteAww, that really made me smile also. You did a great job with those girls.
When I saw your bug, it made me smile. That’s the car Art drove when I met him. That’s the car that took me to the hospital when I gave birth to both my daughter and later, my son.
ReplyDeleteI smile whenever anybody smiles at me. I smile when I see little children.
Dachshunds always make me smile, even though I don't have one right now, I just love them. Funny story, I had a baby in the back of a VW Bug.
ReplyDelete