THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Finding those Smiles

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Look for your Smiles in life.

The sound of my children’s voices. The feel of warm Atlantic beach sand between my toes. The taste of a cherry ice cream soda. The running hugs from grandchildren. The convertible top down and wind in my hair. The sunrises and sunsets. The warmth of my space heater on a really cold night.

The view from the kitchen bay window looking down into the woods. Running to “drawing room” with my granddaughter talking about what to make. Sitting on the front porch with a snowball after mowing the lawn.

My grandson’s big eyes and broken attempt at saying tractor which he wants to ride again with me on each visit. The good morning hugs from my better half. Stepping off the treadmill after the last mile of the day. Watching my children walk down the street after being dropped off by the bus.

The high fives after a Maryland basketball victory with friends. The smell of a rose from a plant my mom gave us. The feel of a favorite shot coming off the printer. The sound of snow hitting my jacket as I shovel.

Opening my back door and seeing 6-8 deer grazing along the tree line. A warm summer breeze and clouds moving briskly across the sky as I lay in a hammock. Looking at my better half in her favorite chair with a good book.

Drying the last water spots off my freshly washed car. Putting the fully charged cameras in the bag and heading out the door. A good report from the doctor.

Catching up with old work friends. A bird landing on the fence a few feet from me and not noticing me sitting in the chair while grilling some burgers.

The feeling after making a charitable donation. Hearing one of my favorite songs. The taste of chocolate.

Finding a family memory. Seeing a block of wood turn into a carving. Getting a letter or email from a loved one. Opening the front door after being away from home for a few days.

Seeing a crabcake and a medium fillet sat in front of me hot from the kitchen. Raking a big pile of leaves and remembering jumping in them as a youngster. Hearing a big V-Twin motorcycle go by and remembering the days I rode one.

Jumping into a pool on a hot summer day. Seeing a drawing come to life. Finishing shoveling the driveway after a big snow. Watching a hummingbird feed.

Sitting by the firepit. A tight series of corners in the Miata. A live concert. Embracing my better half. Making friends laugh. When the power returns after an outage. A large Ledo Pizza with bacon.

And many more things make me smile. So, I’ll keep adding to the list as long as possible.

Pizza by Ledo. Photo by Mike Hartley

Author: Mike Hartley

With a lifetime and a half in the Newspaper industry I'm preparing for my retirement career as an Artist, Writer, Photographer and Video content provider. I'm a proud father of two wonderful children and I'm still married to the first girl I fell in love with and probably only one that would have me.

3 thoughts on “Finding those Smiles

  1. Fabulous list Mike

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