There are good things that happen frequently, or are noticed and appreciated frequently. They need to be celebrated. Kurt Vonnegut's best advice was "I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, "If this isn't nice, I don't know what is." This is the list of things that make me murmur.

• Sunday mornings, with coffee and the New York Times crossword. I am awful at crosswords. I still enjoy trying every week.
• How my cats feel about tuna. I don't love or appreciate anything as much as my cats love and appreciate tuna. Not family, not friends, nothing. My cats will lick an empty can across the floor for hours. I'm usually watching this and giggling.
• Watching fish. I will sometimes attempt to watch tv, and then watch the fish tank instead for an hour. They are so beautiful, so graceful, so interesting
• Orchids. There are more species of orchids than there are of any plant, period. They have evolved to survive everywhere but Antartica (yep, we've got them here in Wisconsin.) They look like they are carved out of wax, gaudy enough to be plastic sci-fi props, and smell like everything from cheap women to chocolate to rotting carcasses.
• My art room. Other than a brief year teaching in Beloit, I was on a cart. I had to share a tiny office and teach in other people's classrooms, some of whom did not appreciate the messy creativity. I now have a giant Art room with great big windows and a kiln. I am grateful every day I set foot in that room, even on the days when the kids are naughty.
• Pie. I share my father's affinity for pie, although I am particular. I would never, ever, buy one from the grocery store or eat one using canned filling. I am a sucker for my grandmother's sour cream and raisin, anything from the Norske nook, and my husband's pie crusts. Mile high meringue on top of any flavor, chocolate pecan, and strawberry stand out as favorites.
• Time alone. I am surrounded by adolescents making loud noises all day. I appreciate solitude when and where I can get it. Quiet is good. Putsing around is good. Time to think is priceless.
• Spring rain. The smell of renewal and ozone. Ahhhhhh.
• The complete and utter joy at seeing new life outside after a long winter. I dance at the sight of a crocus, and when I see green grass I want to bury my face in it, kiss the ground, and give thanks. I realize that responding this way might make me seem a bit crazy. The miracle of new life is always a little overwhelming for me and I can't help but get carried away.
• Travel. I love adventures! There are so many surprises when one travels. Everything down to the smallest detail is new and different. It's fascinating to see how other people live. I like to try on other countries and cultures and explore.
• Tiny baby bunnies finding shelter in the garden shed
• Getting called the best art teacher ever
• Dance parties on art room tables
• The first meal with all ingredients from the farmers market