Living in a historic district, we get to walk past grand old mansions and quaint cottages regularly. One of my favorites has a hay bale hauler near the peak of its roof.
In the family stories passed down to my sister and me, we’ve heard that one time, our maternal grandfather’s wedding ring got caught on part of a hay bale hauler, and he hung there until they could “reel him in.” Not an ideal pick-me-up.
Laughter, especially that of my granddaughter, instantly picks me up, lifts my spirit.
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What lifts your spirit?
© lauriebuchanan.com
Tuesdays with Laurie 
Great story!
Birds feeding in my garden never fails to lift my spirit. I just love seeing and hearing them!
Fatima — I love that birds feeding in your garden are your pick-me-up. It’s so YOU! 🙂
Being with family lifts my spirit. There is always a lot of laughter when we get together and sharing of stories similar to your grandfather´s ring.
Darlene — I agree. Familial laughter (and sharing family lore) is the BEST! 🙂
This morning, my spirits are lifted by my bluebird cup, real cream in my coffee and this few minutes to read.
Cindy — You’re so right. It’s the SMALL things that bring us the greatest joy 🙂
I am lifting up my eyes to the hills — the Allegheny Mountains — this morning. They always lift my spirit. This is one of your best posts, Laurie. I know you will have many responses. You have asked a question for our dark time and season.
Shirley — I’ve seen some photos you’ve posted of the beautiful mountain view that you have. And you’re right, it’s positive, uplifting, constructive, and healing.
I’m glad this post resonated with you. We all need to find something within and without us that brings light and upliftment in a world that would otherwise be dark.
Ouch, no loading hay for me.
Craig — I know, right?! 🙂
Opening my garage door every morning to feed the neighborhood cats. I have 4 regulars and they wait on my porch by 6am every morning. They know the sound of that door and come running into the garage. I have a chair there for them to scratch as I get their food. And then we proceed to the porch for water and separate bowls. The female refuses to eat with those rowdy male cats! Makes me smile every day. My husband does the same at dinner and even he has to smile at our little routine. Such a great question, Laurie.
LoisaJay — Oh, my gosh. I LOVE that you and your husband have a twice-daily feeding routine with the neighborhood cats. My hat is off to the two of you! 🙂
They are a never-ending source of love and entertainment, Laurie.
Christmas music lifted my spirit this morning, some from a recording – some playing my piano.
A double blessing: the rising sun picked out the iridescent snowflake on a couch pillow and “broadcast” a glowing design all over the ceiling.
Marian — I love your comment! Especially the part about how the sun came to “broadcast” a glowing design all over the ceiling! 🙂
So many things lift my spirits. Pet antics. A sunny day. A visit from a friend. A phone call from one of my kids. Listening to Pentatonix sing Mary, Have You Heard? Even a good cup of coffee will improve my mood.
Pat — I love that you have a wide brushstroke of things that lift your spirit. And you know what, I, too, love listening to Pentatonix. I have “surround sound” speakers in my little car and sometimes I’ll go on a drive just to turn up the volume and harmonize with them 🙂
I love watching toddlers, those kids who can barely walk and/or talk but are full of energy, innocence, and such a sense of wonder about every little thing in their worlds. But then I get a little sad when I realize that they grow up, society gets hold of them, and they become tired, cynical, wary, unimaginative adults (most of them, anyway). And it’s not like this is a new phenomenon. This has been happening since homo sapiens figured out how to make fire. But then I always rejoice when I encounter adults, especially elderly folks, who have either maintained their sense of wonder and innocence or rediscovered it somewhere along the way. Bully for them!
Chris
Chris — “Energy, innocence, and a sense of wonder.” Yes, I agree (also with the part about what can and does happen to many).
But then as you pointed out, many people maintain wonderment throughout their lives, and sometimes those you’ve lost it, find it again.
Three cheers and a bully for them!
My family being with me. Walking on an ocean beach, the sound of the ocean waves on the shore. My dog cuddling in the morning to get her belly rubbed before we get up. A purring cat on my lap. Sunshine.
Carol — Ahhhhh, the good life 🙂
Time spent with the wonderful people in my life.
Watching the clever, cute, and funny antics of animals on Pinterest.
Ann — Yes, indeed! 🙂
Laurie, great photo capture! Have you ever thought of a small photo book on Boise + … maybe with reflections. Saying this, I realize you have plenty on your plate. And, your photos are always a delight.
What lifts my spirit? Nature … from the grand oceans, mountains, lakes to wildlife and birds, to trees or the smallest flower. Babies, children … especially the newcomers to our family grandnieces and grandnephews. Kindnesses … giving and receiving … even the smallest ones.
I could give you a book long litany of spirit-lifters. Fortunately, each day (if I’m open) gives me at least one. Being here now with this community is among them. Thank you for all you share. As Shirley mentioned, in this time in the United States we need to keep our spirits strong.
Audrey — You listed ingredients that make for a wonderful life that’s appreciated by a well-lived person who looks for, and finds, the silver lining 🙂
Fortunately, my list of pick me ups is lengthy, including: going for long walks with my dog, visiting with friends, and reading your blog, Laurie.
So glad your grandpa survived his wedding ring ordinal.
Leanne — And even though it doesn’t accept comments any more, I enjoy reading your blog, too. Thank you!
Hi Laurie,
Lots of things can do so.
Laughter is a good one.
Justice, someone getting something they have worked hard for.
Connecting with Ailsa, where we each get to experience we are loved.
Solving some particularly difficult problem gives me a buzz.
Looking out at the awesome beauty of nature – watching the ocean, mountains, dolphins whales, seabirds, from our deck.
Spent three days and nights in the high mountains at the Hutton’s Shearwater colony last week – that was mostly great – saw a new species of lizard that I had only previously heard about. Also had a chamois looking at us while we worked for about 3 hours.
Sitting on the ocean in a small boat usually makes me feel pretty good.
Having a really good conversation with someone where we each learn stuff and explore new ideas is great.
Getting a difficult piece of code to do what I want always feels great.
Playing with the dog or small children usually does it too.
Making something physical – particularly working with wood, but also with metals or concrete.
Making a difference for someone, even if they don’t know it at the time.
A great thing to think about – thanks Laurie – this exercise in itself.
Ted — You listed so many wonderful things. I just built a new website (shhhh, don’t tell anyone) that I’m releasing on Dec 31. So I can definitely relate to: “Getting a difficult piece of code to do what I want always feels great.” 🙂
Laurie, as your readers have noted, there are endless ways and means of lifting your spirits, what works one day may not work the next. For me one sure fire way to have me smiling is to jump in my truck and go cruising the back roads of hill country of North Ga., singing along with Alan Jackson, “Way down yonder on the Chattahoochee, it gets hotter than the Hoochy-coochy!”
Sandi — I easily can picture you cruisin’ the back country roads, belting along with Alan Jackson, and using your steering wheel as drums!
I’ve just seen a wonderful English play with brilliant actors in it. Can’t beat live theatre.
Coral — Live theater. Oh, my gosh, YES! 🙂
Having had very little sunshine and lots of overcast rainy days for way too long now, I’m going to go with standing in a beam of winter sunshine and inhaling it. 🙂
Widdershins — Ohhhh, that sounds delightfully refreshing! 🙂
It was 😀 … back to soggy rain all day now.
The antics of Arthur my adorable King Charles. For instance , he knows not to touch the the baubles on the Christmas tree ( that let’s face it look like shiny balls ) so he snouts them as he walks past but that doesn’t count surely . 😂
Cherryx
Cherry — Oh, I LOVE it! 🐾
With good thinking – nearly everything lifts me up! Reader dog, ZIP, needs a lift up to my lap when we hunker down with a book and he always helps with a back let push off. Teamwork !
Patricia — Ya gotta love it! 🐾
A walk in the woods! It’s a never-fail pick-me-up.
Arlene — Me to, too, TWO 🌲🌲🌲
Spending time with family is a great “pick me upper,” but sometimes just a nice walk can lift me out of the doldrums. I didn’t even know what a hay bale hauler was, Laurie. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one. 🙂
Debra — I agree. Family and a nice walk make two great pick-me-up ingredients! 🙂
Bun gasit !
Suntem atât de aproape de Sfintele sarbatori….Craciunul magic, sarbatoarea bucuriei care va fi peste 9 zile…
O duminica placuta!
Mult succes!
Good found!
We are so close to the Holy Holidays …. The magic Christmas, the holiday of joy that will be over 9 days …
A nice Sunday!
Anitanna — yes, Yes, YES! 🙂
I really like your blog. A pleasure to come stroll on your pages. A great discovery and very interesting blog. I’ll come back to visit you. Do not hesitate to visit my universe. See you soon. Happy Holidays.