And there in lies the secret of a truly joyful life.
Freedom to choose. Knowing that each day has unlimited opportunities to choose from and then choosing. Even if that is nothing.
“Dolce far niente” The sweetness of doing nothing.
bravo!
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Don Eliseo
On the corner of my street there is an older modest stone house. There is a lime tree already heavy with fruit and along the sides of the small piece of land in front of the house there are rows of lettuce and other bits of veg.
Today I noticed the very elderly gentleman that lives there hitting the overgrown weeds and grasses on the street side of his home. I watched as he grunted and swung his shovel relentlessly.
I said “good morning young man.” Introducing myself, saying that I lived a few doors down and that it would make my day if he allowed me to help him.
He smiled a wide grin baring his few remaining yellow teeth. Breathing heavily and leaning on his shovel he told me he has seen me walking with my stick…
Well we talked over an hour.
He came to Uruguay by ship in 1956 from Spain at the age of 19. Gave me his full address in his home town of Santiago de Compostela. He worked many jobs before becoming a banker and he and his wife have lived in their home since they were first married. He laughed a lot rubbing his bald head, asked me lots of questions too. We kept talking even as the rain started. We did no work. He took my hand in his and squeezed it tight. “I see you. You have a strong and lively spirit. Don’t ever stop.”
He thanked me for stopping and asked to come and visit again and meet his wife.
My heart is full.
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My joy today was beginning my Thanksgiving preparations for an amazing dinner Thursday night. Today I made my sweet potato casserole, prepared my stuffing for the turkey, made the cranberry sauce, finished up my carmelized onion and goat cheese spread for bread and dressed up my deviled eggs. Just a few things left to do tomorrow so I can enjoy all the family time Thanksgiving in my home is known for!!
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Laughter is joy that temporarily overwhelms you. Today I got a great laugh when I saw this in my email.
Can’t you just picture it?
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Wonderful… I’m guessing a “young” son 
And continuing on the world cup theme … I saw this shared by a not so enthusiastic expat friend…
A fella in the pub asked me to name 3 Qatar players. I said that’s easy.
George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix.
A joyous laugh this morning from me
Tonight my husband and I took a walk along the beach under the light of the huge, nearly full moon. There’s a lot of pollen in the air, which gave the moon a beautiful amber glow. That’s what brought me joy today.
How about you? What brought you joy today?
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After running a few errands I opted to walk back to the house along the Truckee River path. My joy came stopping to talk to dogs on walks and asking them if I could take their photos. I was delighted when they replied with a Howl, a paw and posed willingly.
Photo of Coco the Border Collie out for a walk with his Dad.
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My favorite activity that I do about five times a week - a Zumba class brought me joy today! Dance is my passion and it makes me so happy. I’m also very excited and looking forward to a new and local house sit in a couple of days!
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Today, I secured a doggie sit where my daughter lives, so I’ll be living like a local, and my little charge will hopefully become best friends with my daughter’s little puppy!
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Today is the first sunny day in a week. It’s below freezing out, but absolutely gorgeous! I’ll be bundling up and going for a walk shortly. 
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Packing to go home tomorrow to my kitties Clovis and Lumen after 2 months of traveling / house-sitting. I’ve been charmed by the cats I look after, but my own kitties are the very best in the whole world, and I can’t wait to see them!
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Cuties they are! Looks like they were actually posing.
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The statue of The Lady of Windsor with her corgies. Someone had left her a bunch of flowers. I said “hello Ma’am” and gave the dogs a pat.
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Thank you for sharing, @Crookie! Is this a well-known statue? I’d never seen or heard of it (sheltered American here Lol). But ever since the anime “Cowboy Bebop,” I’ve liked corgis.
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