It's been a bit since I sat down to write here ... we have just returned from a week at the Gaylord Texan where my husband was at a conference...

I was thinking about greeting cards this week... we have a number of birthdays and anniversaries that occur among friends and family this month (August) and I am sadly not as good as was my mother about sending greeting cards... not that I don't intend to do so, but I forget to buy them before the day of the occasion, and then I shrug and say "I'll just drop an email" or "I'll say happy birthday on Facebook"...

But think about it. There are still times and people for whom a real greeting card is better - and well appreciated.

Certainly people older than 50 appreciate real greeting cards (and real hand-written notes too). They like to receive them and display them. They are not as excited about the e-greetings of the electronic generation, even if they are more eco-friendly.

People who are ill or in the hospital, or home recovering from injury or surgery, like to have those paper cards to sit or hang around the room to remind them of the people who think of them, pray for them, and care about them. It brings them warmth and cheer, especially when friends and family members are farther away.

When there is a death, it is once again a time for that hard-copy card that brings sympathy and thoughts and prayers to the bereaved. They too can be displayed or just piled in a basket - just the sight of that collection of good wishes can bring comfort.

Weddings always seem a time for cards, as well as graduations and confirmations. Really - any time a gift is appropriate so is a greeting card.

I have a friend who is so thoughtful about cards - she sends them at all the right times - thinking of you cards and get well cards that are sent when needed, and holiday cards that arrive just at the right time. And they are cards with just the right words, almost as though the card has been created just for the occasion and recipient.

My mother used to buy tons of cards. New home cards, for instance, were always difficult to find, so when she found one she liked she'd buy several to keep on hand. Thinking of you cards were another - she would buy one of every one she liked on the shelf when she was at the store.

So I have decided to once again pull out all those cards that are still here from my mother. I have them sorted by occasion. They will be placed where I can easily grab them and send them. Then I will begin to adopt her habit of grazing through the cards at the store and picking out ones that will be good to have on hand. I will have my letter-carrier husband replenish my supply of Forever Stamps, and I will once again begin to send cards at the appropriate times.

Think about it - don't you have cards you have really enjoyed - even kept?

Oh - and when you receive cards that you aren't going to store away - find crafty people who need the fronts for projects! then toss the other part in the recycling...

More another day - there are cards to address!

Yesterday I had an inspiration for today's post. But this morning I have had an experience that will put the other off till later in the week: I stood at my kitchen window and watched squirrels and bunnies frolic in my yard.

Seems simple, right? Almost a non-event. But therein lies the issue. We too seldom take the time for those simple joys. I had opened the window to allow the unexpected gift of cool air into the house before the summer heat and humidity take over. I lingered for just a minute, putting the final touches on my mental list of chores- to-accomplish-before-the-temperatures-rise. That minute came with a reward.

Around the corner came a squirrel, so I greeted him (hey there Squirrelly) and began to step away when another arrived. So I stayed and watched. A third squirrel joined in and they raced and ran around the tree, through the bottom tray of the chiminea and then around it, back around the tree and around the shed... the three of them covering ground swiftly.

In the midst of all this, I realized that a brown bunny had arrived on the scene by the lilies that grow along our shed. The bunny was also watching the squirrels (no doubt to make sure he wasn't run over) and both of us were surprised when two more bunnies came slowly into the area. So now I have two separate but co-located shows - like the rings of a circus - in my back yard. The bunnies took up a game of leaping and hide-n-seek, and the squirrels continued to chase (except one who sneaked off to have some of our berries for breakfast) and I remained at the window for at least fifteen minutes just watching the fun.

Which is when it occurred to me that this would be the topic of today's post: take time to enjoy those seemingly-insignificant, almost childish pleasures. One of the reasons this scene is so enjoyable here where I live is that construction has decreased the open land for bunnies and squirrels. People actually complain about the wildlife rather than enjoying the morning (and evening - the bunnies are in our yard then too) entertainment provided by these adorable little creatures.

Having grown up here (yes, right here in this house) I have seen bunnies, squirrels, deer, groundhogs, snakes and foxes either wander through or linger to munch and play ... but in the past 20 years there have been fewer and fewer places in my neighborhood (in our county!) for them to live, so we have fewer furry visitors. This morning to have three bunnies and five squirrels all at one time was such fun! In the evening we see several bunnies, and there is a small herd of deer (about six) who wander through at some point.

Yes, they have found our relocated garden because some neighbors put up a fence that forced the deer to use a different route between fields. But as exasperating as that is, it always thrills me to see that we still have our little herd.

Are you in a city? No wildlife for you to observe? How about birds that sit on windowsills and feeders? What about the flowers in window boxes and planters? What do you see in the shapes of the clouds?

Most important is that we take time for small pleasures: sitting down in the quiet morning hour before others awake - having that cup of coffee or tea while you read Scripture and meditate in the peacefulness before the day's busyness encroaches. Walking to the store or work and watching the people you pass - engaging them with a smile or nod. Observing children playing. Greeting those with whom you share the elevator.

Want to create a simple pleasure for someone else? When you see a lady with a lovely dress in the supermarket, walk up to her and say "that is a lovely dress" and then keep walking. In the elevator, compliment that man over there on his striking tie. See a man in uniform or one with a "retired veteran" hat? Walk up and just say "thank you for your service to our country" - then walk away quickly because he will be embarrassed by the tear that wells up in his eye if you see it. A police officer or firefighter? Wish them a safe shift. Make a co-worker's day by leaving a flower or a piece of candy or a doughnut or whatever on their desk - before they arrive, without telling them who left it... Send a note or card (yes, through the mail) to an elderly shut-in ... or send a cheery email to someone "just because".

Simple pleasures are everywhere, but we are often too rushed - or think we are too grown up - to appreciate them... you see, there are adults who would have looked at those bunnies and squirrels this morning and dismissed them as nuisances or not even noticed them at all.

Please take some time today - and every day - to use some "palm tree time" to enjoy life's simple pleasures ... and share some with others when possible.