Oh goodness, a meme!

sansa1970 tagged me for the eight things that make you happy meme,  a few days ago, but I keep trying to fit 26 hours-worth of stuff into each day, so it's had to wait a little. Because my organisational skills do not encompass travelling complex curves in the space-time continuum.

1. The fella. He fell on me at a party 12 years ago and declared that I was his density, er, make that destiny. Even though I often suspect that my mother was right and I do need a wife. He's a treasure-chest of amusing conversation, manly capability and aerobic exercise, all rolled up in a handsome, somewhat snarky package. Even if he did have a potato-crisp sandwich for dinner.

2. Subscription magazines. They arrive in the post without me having to lift a finger. The current list is New Scientist, Gardens Illustrated and the Literary Review (possibly the greatest magazine currently published) from the UK and Harpers and The New Yorker from the US. The mysteries of the local postal service mean that they arrive at random times,  and it can happen that a pile will build up before I have time for a mag weekend, but the sheer joy of sitting down for a big binge of essays, science and garden porn is not to be underestimated.

3. The cat, and puppy playgroup. This one is mostly for the cat, who adopted us soon after we moved here. She is stumpy, grumpy and old and has more scars than she knows what to do with, so a perfect match for me. Puppy playgroup takes place every Wednesday in the vet's waiting room, where the large windows act as a goldfish bowl; one that is covered in the fingerprints of inner-city hipsters, all cooing "ooooh! Look at the little one!" Best PPG ever? When the Rhodesian ridgeback puppy wanted to be friends with the chihuahua puppy.

4. My bed. I don't sleep enough, but when I do it is in my wonderful bed with its magnificent new mattress. So comfortable in every way! And resilient! With even enough room to sprawl and still have a foot cat when she deigns to join us.

5. Fandom. I had been told there was good writing, I had been told there were nice people, I did not expect to find friends with whom I have a genuine connection. Unexpected happiness is the best kind!

6. Comfy shoes. I do own heels, I'll even wear them for special occasions. But when I was a wee lass my father said to me: you should always wear shoes that you can run in, because you never know when you'll need to chase down a mugger to retrieve your handbag. He was right, and it's worked twice so far. (Muggers are genuinely terrified of people who chase them down. Of course, the kind I run into have no guns, I wouldn't chase an American mugger ...) Birkenstocks, Doc Martens, Brooks trainers and RM Williams jodhpur boots are the current favourites. I raise a glass to women in sensible shoes!

7. Reading and writing. I know that's really two, but eight is a very small number. I love the joy of escaping into a fictional world, either to experience the creation of another mind, or to build my own. When I was very little I was mostly around adults, and so my most regular friends were all in books, to this day, I feel that same comfort when I open to the first page. Except for Because I'm the Vampire, That's Why by Michelle Bardsley which I look on as proof that there is still too much cocaine in some parts of publishing.

8. Going really fast. I don't drive -- I hate cars -- but I like to ride my bike, or a horse, so that the wind streams past my ears and my cheeks cool. I like to swing high on the swings, or roll down grassy hills. When my knee and foot are behaving, I like to run, when they're not, I like to visit the park late at night and make the roundabout thingy that looks like a Stargate whiz around at top speed.

In turn, I tag bubblegumlocks and boxofdelights because it is their birthday week: happy birthday! Also jadzialove, snottygrrl, blindmouse, leochi, davidkevin and gossymer, but feel free to ignore if you are busy or meme-allergic.

Oh goodness, a meme!

sansa1970 tagged me for the eight things that make you happy meme,  a few days ago, but I keep trying to fit 26 hours-worth of stuff into each day, so it's had to wait a little. Because my organisational skills do not encompass travelling complex curves in the space-time continuum.

1. The fella. He fell on me at a party 12 years ago and declared that I was his density, er, make that destiny. Even though I often suspect that my mother was right and I do need a wife. He's a treasure-chest of amusing conversation, manly capability and aerobic exercise, all rolled up in a handsome, somewhat snarky package. Even if he did have a potato-crisp sandwich for dinner.

2. Subscription magazines. They arrive in the post without me having to lift a finger. The current list is New Scientist, Gardens Illustrated and the Literary Review (possibly the greatest magazine currently published) from the UK and Harpers and The New Yorker from the US. The mysteries of the local postal service mean that they arrive at random times,  and it can happen that a pile will build up before I have time for a mag weekend, but the sheer joy of sitting down for a big binge of essays, science and garden porn is not to be underestimated.

3. The cat, and puppy playgroup. This one is mostly for the cat, who adopted us soon after we moved here. She is stumpy, grumpy and old and has more scars than she knows what to do with, so a perfect match for me. Puppy playgroup takes place every Wednesday in the vet's waiting room, where the large windows act as a goldfish bowl; one that is covered in the fingerprints of inner-city hipsters, all cooing "ooooh! Look at the little one!" Best PPG ever? When the Rhodesian ridgeback puppy wanted to be friends with the chihuahua puppy.

4. My bed. I don't sleep enough, but when I do it is in my wonderful bed with its magnificent new mattress. So comfortable in every way! And resilient! With even enough room to sprawl and still have a foot cat when she deigns to join us.

5. Fandom. I had been told there was good writing, I had been told there were nice people, I did not expect to find friends with whom I have a genuine connection. Unexpected happiness is the best kind!

6. Comfy shoes. I do own heels, I'll even wear them for special occasions. But when I was a wee lass my father said to me: you should always wear shoes that you can run in, because you never know when you'll need to chase down a mugger to retrieve your handbag. He was right, and it's worked twice so far. (Muggers are genuinely terrified of people who chase them down. Of course, the kind I run into have no guns, I wouldn't chase an American mugger ...) Birkenstocks, Doc Martens, Brooks trainers and RM Williams jodhpur boots are the current favourites. I raise a glass to women in sensible shoes!

7. Reading and writing. I know that's really two, but eight is a very small number. I love the joy of escaping into a fictional world, either to experience the creation of another mind, or to build my own. When I was very little I was mostly around adults, and so my most regular friends were all in books, to this day, I feel that same comfort when I open to the first page. Except for Because I'm the Vampire, That's Why by Michelle Bardsley which I look on as proof that there is still too much cocaine in some parts of publishing.

8. Going really fast. I don't drive -- I hate cars -- but I like to ride my bike, or a horse, so that the wind streams past my ears and my cheeks cool. I like to swing high on the swings, or roll down grassy hills. When my knee and foot are behaving, I like to run, when they're not, I like to visit the park late at night and make the roundabout thingy that looks like a Stargate whiz around at top speed.

In turn, I tag bubblegumlocks and boxofdelights because it is their birthday week: happy birthday! Also jadzialove, snottygrrl, blindmouse, leochi, davidkevin and gossymer, but feel free to ignore if you are busy or meme-allergic.