Harry....what a lovely post! It is good to think about the good things we have in our lives, however simple they are. You and I have many things in common as regards what makes us happy.

Like you , I am a very creative person, and find great happiness in making things. Over the years I have done Embroidery, Quilting, Calligraphy, Stained Glass work...you name it I have done it. Five years ago I too returned to painting, and I recently sold some oil paintings, so now I can call myself 'Artist'. I attend an Art class once a week and I so look forward to that.

I love my garden too, and am in the process of creating a Japanese garden, with stone lanterns and Acers....very peaceful and rewarding.

I love the view from my bedroom window...three very old trees on a windy ridge that have been there over 100 years. I was born in the valley between my present house and those trees...and I intend that my ashes will repose up there when I pop my clogs.

My grandchildren all make me so happy, they are really funny and make me laugh, and I am so grateful that they are all well.

I think the most wonderful thing for me was my birthday this year when my two daughters took me for a meal. People may think that is not remarkable, but it made me absolutely ecstatic, because they had been estranged for years, and are now good friends and sisters again. To see them hug, and then have a group hug, was magical. I cried buckets...of happiness!

I love being in the company of my sisters, daughters, and nieces....we are a family of mostly women, and they are all as mad as hatters. As the eldest, I am now the Matriarch after the death of my Mother.

I have recently had a two day spell in hospital, nothing serious, but I was amazed to see so many women of my own age who are not fit and well, so I am extremely grateful that I can do most anything in life that I want to. I intend to look after my health as best I can.

Reading your post and mine, it's clear that we love the simple things in life. I am intrigued by your description of your new painting...when it is finished, may we see it? I do hope there will be some more posts on this thread..I think we will find that we have more in common than we realise!