Be like Oprah

December 2022--At the end of each year Oprah Winfrey puts out a list of her favorite things. They’re usually pretty cool items—like bamboo sheets, leggings, cashmere scarves, wine chillers, gloves, a pizza oven, cotton pajamas—and so on.

So today I’m going to be like Oprah and share with you some of my favorite things—but they’re not all things you can buy. And to me—things you can’t buy are always some of my favorites.

Sunsets—At so many times of the year— I have gotten some great shots of the amazing sunsets over our lake.

Laughter—whether it’s mine or someone else’s. I love to laugh but there’s nothing I love more than the laughter of a child.

Pistachio nuts--Besides the taste, I’m pretty sure you burn off extra calories just trying to get them out of the shell

Sound of water—like flowing in a river, lake or stream—not the kind flowing from an overfilled bathtub or a broken pipe

Sunshine--Of course, any time of the year—but especially during the winter. I just feel better when I see the sun or feel the warmth on my skin.

Matching socks--I always got really excited when I went into the drawer and found two socks that matched. Didn’t happen all the time. So as of late when I buy new socks, I buy several pair all the same style and color. It may be cheating—but at least my socks match.

Dad jokes--These jokes always get me laughing. There’s a guy I used to work with who would send them to me on a pretty regular basis. He hasn’t sent them in a long time. Hoping if he reads this he’s inspired to send a few more my way.

Having a plan--Sometimes I think I’m a spontaneous person. But most of the time I like to have a plan in place. And I always feel better if things go according to the plan. We all know that rarely happens because, well, life happens.

Chocolate—any shape, size, style, whatever. Chocolate pudding, chocolate bars, hot chocolate, cold chocolate (like frozen Snickers). Chocolate martinis used to be a favorite—but had one bad night and I’ve never touched them again.

Smiles--Whether they’re from a child, a friend or a stranger, they’re always a welcome gift.

Banana pudding—never was much into it until I started spending time in the south. There was a buffet-style restaurant that served it. So delicious and with lots of Nilla Wafers. They closed during COVID—but I get it at our local grocery store down here and it’s pretty darn good, too.

Puppies/dogs--I can’t remember too many years of my entire life when I did not have a dog. When I was younger, there was Butterscotch, an amber-colored poodle. The names of my other dogs when I was growing up escapes me right now. But once I was married—we had Brandywine—a stray that found its way into our home and our hearts; Windsor—a stately Samoyed who looked like a lion when dry—and a skinned rat when wet.

Then there was Bailey—a Chesapeake Bay Retriever with the most beautiful green eyes. She was by far one of the best dogs to ever be part of our family. We were devastated when we lost her. Now we have Ramey, a Fox Red Labrador named for a stretch of mountains in North Georgia. The thing about dogs is they love you no matter what—and no matter how big they are, they want to be on your lap (or in my case on my feet).

Boiled peanuts--A Southern staple. Never knew much about them until we started traveling to the south. Kept seeing banner signs along the side of the road advertising this southern delicacy. So, one day we pulled over and bought a bag. I was hooked. For those not familiar, it’s an actual peanut in a shell and it’s boiled—for hours. Some places add various spices to add a little zing to the taste. I’m told you can eat the shell. I don’t.

Learned they have four times the antioxidants over raw or roasted peanuts and have been linked to numerous health benefits, like cancer prevention, reduced inflammation, and prevention against cardiovascular disease. They’re also a great source of niacin (Vitamin B3).

History--Although I was never much into history classes, over the years I’ve acquired a deep passion for the past. I’m fascinated with the background of old buildings, the stories behind the faces of people who started a movement or made a discovery—or developed an idea into a can’t-live-without-it invention.

I’ve been interviewing people who live or have lived on our lake and sharing their stories about the memories they’ve collected over the years. Some of the things I’m learning truly amaze and fascinate me. Our lake—a 200-acre lake in southwest Michigan—has a rich history and I’m on a mission to preserve that history. Lake Memories

Christmas--According to the song, it's the most wonderful time of the year. To me, it really is. We love spending time with family and friends. And, we love decorating. Sometimes we may go a little overboard—but hey, it’s Christmas and it only comes once a year.

College football games--There’s something about college football players—their dedication, their spirit and their drive. I don't always see that in a lot of the pro players. I cheer on Big 10 schools—after that, I root for whomever the ESPN announcers label the underdog.

Photography—I love taking photographs—but--not being in them. Many of my photos are of old barns, sunsets, cemetery headstones, tree branches—especially with no leaves and covered with snow or full of bright yet warm fall colors. When I’m out and about I’ll stop when something catches my eye—like subject matter with symmetry. And then there’s my grandchildren—thousands of photos of them!

I'll leave you with a few lines from a favorite song:

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with string

These are a few of my favorite things.

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Silver-white winters that melt into springs

These are a few of my favorite things.

As we close out 2022, here's to all the best for the new year with all of your favorite things!

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