#372: Cats in Boxes

 Reason To Be Happy #372:

Cats in Boxes

 Cats like to be in boxes. Size doesn't matter. If a box is present, a cat feels some inexplicable desire to be inside it. They can't help themselves.

 People like to look at cats. What the cat is doing doesn't matter. If there's a photo of a cat, a person feels some inexplicable desire to view it. They can't help themselves. Especially if the photo is of a cat in a box. (Kittens in boxes are worth bonus happiness).

Don't believe me? Do a quick Google search: Cats in boxes. There are entire websites devoted to photos of felines cramming themselves into every size of box imaginable—from shoe boxes to cereal boxes. Two of my favorites are Cats In Boxes  and Actually Cats in Boxes

If you need a dose of happiness I highly encourage you to check them out!

And, yes of course, that's my handsome Joey in the 2nd and 3rd photos.

#371: Dipping chocolate into hot coffee

Reason to Be Happy #371:

Dipping Chocolate into Hot Coffee

When I meet another person who does this, I know at once we are kindred spirits. Hot tea and hot chai work, too, but my preference is coffee. This is how I reward myself on the really, really good writing days. (Oh, and this is also quite delectable with Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies).

#370: The oozy, gooey center of a cinnamon roll

 Reason to Be Happy #370:

The oozy, gooey center of a cinnamon roll

Add a cup of coffee and/or a glass of cold milk...heaven.

#369: The First Ripe Tomato From the Garden

Reason to Be Happy #369:

The First Ripe Tomato From the Garden

Every summer, it's that first one ready that's so delicious.

I sometimes take a salt shaker out to the garden and eat it the second it's plucked from the vine.

Once you eat garden tomatoes, there's just no buying those anemic, lifeless, flavorless store bought ones. Hmm...BLT's anyone?

#368: Ice Cream Sandwiches

 Reason to Be Happy #368:

ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

The swimming pool treat of my childhood—I remember buying them for a dime!

There's something so delicious in their simplicity. It's nice to let them melt just the teensiest bit, so you can lick the sides. (Just a tip...) I currently work in an office that stopped one afternoon for an ice cream sandwich break. That's a civilized workplace, in my opinion! I even did a ice-cream-sandwich-happy-dance. I think there may even be a video...

#367: Morning coffee in the garden before it gets ungodly hot

Reason to Be Happy #367:

Morning Coffee in the Garden Before it Gets Ungodly Hot

"Before it gets ungodly hot" is a very fleeting time frame at the moment in Ohio. This summer has been brutal. Just as the sun rises, it's still usually cool enough to enjoy strolling through the garden barefoot—watching the rabbit steal some kale, watching the yellow finch shred the coneflowers, checking on the tomato progress, rubbing some basil and rosemary between my fingers, greeting the new hibiscus blossoms, cutting the first zucchini...this is one of my favorite places on earth.