I've been through a bit of a rough patch recently and rather than dwell on it, I thought I'd share little things that I love in life. In this first case it is MINI related, but it doesn't have to be if you want to share something as well. I love it when I hear the blow-off valve engage in Mico (my MINI). It's like she's blowing a kiss to me whenever I hear it.
I love hearing the GPs the exhaust burble! And I love the feel of the car on a piece of twisty open road in the twilight.
I love second gear.... I love the gas milage... I love looking at her after she's washed... I love driving with the windows down... I love making left hand turns... I love accelerating and listening to the JCW exhaust note... Oh.... And I love that mine has a scoop and Jim's doesn't......
I love the supercharger whine as I wind out 2nd gear headed for 3rd... I love the burble as I downshift for a nice turn... I love my scoop & a good scoop of ice cream... I love the smell of bacon in the morning... I love my family & friends...
I would not know where to begin listing all the little things that make me happy and help to peel away that cynical layer of dread that seems to cloak my mind at times. With all that is going on in our world these days it is these simple pleasures that really do keep me going. A few of those things... Seeing an unexpected cool car out of the blue always brings a smile. Just a few weeks ago after meeting a few Mid Ohio folks for a breakfast on the way home I saw a 308GTB. In red... Sure, any new Honda can out run it, but it still looks so darn good all these years later, and that sound! Ahhhh... Driving under a bridge or in a tunnel with open windows and getting just the right crackle back from the exhaust. A perfectly ripe banana, peach, or pluot. Aimlessly flipping channels and finding Le Mans, or Animal house, or Caddyshack. These are but a few of the many things that bring joy to what otherwise would be an overwhelming existence.
I love sleeping in on a Saturday. I love driving my MINI on a cool day with the windows down. I love going out to dinner. I love my husband and best friend (yes, kinda sappy but so true). I love fitting in my old jeans again I love the smell of the ocean and sand. I love running a trail with only my thoughts and my iPod. I really could go on........
I love going on group drives and seeing the looks we get when we roll through a small town. I love the good natured banter that goes on between MOM members (both virtual and real). I love my wife and the fact that she automatically writes MINI breakfast on the third Saturday of each month when she updates the calendar on the fridge. I love that my son and I have a tradition of going to the Columbus Car show, lunch, and Jenni's Ice Cream every year (even though the car show is awful, maybe we will upgrade to NAIAS next year).
I love the sound of making those right hand hairpin turns on the run back down the Dragon! I love all the friends I've met because I own a MINI. I love my hubby who is also my best friend!
I love the sound of the BOV between shifts. I love donuts! I love the sound of the exhaust. I love potato chips! I love the go cart handling. I love cheeseburgers! .....did I say I love donuts?
I love hearing the insects in the trees when I drive down a cool and shaded back road overhung with branches on a summer morning, roof and windows open.
After sitting through a staff meeting and watching teachers cry because they feel like they aren't doing enough to meet the needs of the 37 kids in their classrooms . . . I love the fact that I get to drive the GP, for another school year. Oh, and I love that tomorrow is Friday