Things that have made you happy today 2025

Thankful that we've had some rain, my wildflower seeds are sprouting by the dozens, SO much is growing in the garden, and my new passport arrived today. The last one means I can vote in the local elections. I don't have a driving licence or other photographic ID, and my old passport (which is an acceptable ID for voting) had to be sent to the passport office, in order for them to arrange my new one. I wait for that to be returned.

 

After 3 years of waiting and waiting, my orchid has a flower spike growing

 

I feel very fortunate to live just here and to have days like this.

 

I met a lady walking along the little road that passes the bottom of my garden, she lives around the corner and was taking her dog for a walk ... and she told me there's a garden club now meeting in a hall in the village every 2nd Friday of the month. She'd found out about it and was thinking of going, so I said I'd like to go too. It's something to look forward to The next one is 2nd Friday in June and they've got a plant swap, so I'll take some of my many cuttings along - I may find new homes for them and free up some space in my cold frames and perspex shelters .

 

@Michael Hewett we also belong to our village garden club. In the winter/spring time we arrange a talk and also have soup and puds get together. The AGM is a bring and share lunch which is always amazing. We now have a Spring show with afternoon tea. Not a competition but just to share plants and have a great natter. In the Autumn is the flower and produce show for the whole of the members and villagers. During the summer months we go to a different garden in the village, mooch around, chatter and have tea/coffee and cake (cost of a £1). It is a great way to socialise and as you said swap plants and ideas. Maybe you joining may start other ideas if they aren't there already.

 

Yesterday I was driving through a local village and I saw a couple with a baby and a dog walking along the pavement, and the man crossed the road with some litter in his hand and put it in a council bin on the pavement, and then he crossed back over to his partner baby and dog.
I was glad to see him do this because by the look of the place most people seem to throw it on the ground wherever they are these days but this man made an effort to dispose of it in a responsible way.

 

I allways keep the area outside of our house clean, which means sweeping up the dust,cow poo, dog poo,some human poo, and pick up any litter that people throw out, there is sometimes a man who i see who has mental problems and he allways has litter in his hands and the lady that is with him has said to him "no we can't take any more home leave it" so now when they pass i said that if they want to they can put any litter they pick up in our bin (i've now got a bin just inside of gate just so they can use it but out of sight so that any one else don't just use it to get rid of their waste

 

I have to say this is a very clean country and you don't see litter about or much graffiti (Except sometimes on the motorway bridges). I cannot say about inner cities as I have never been to one.

 

Went out for my walk at 6.15 am and pretty much had the world to myself. Two cars went by in the distance, two pedestrians passed me on their way to work, two joggers crossed my field of vision, and that was it! Not one out of control dog ran at me, meaning no entitled owner told me their mutt was just being friendly and I shouldn't be out walking if I don't like dogs, and my ears were not assaulted by a single bark!

Bliss!

The only teensy fly in the ointment was each hip insisted on letting me know it was NOT happy to be moving with every step. Ah well, you can't have everything!

 

Recently had an E mail from Virgin telling me my bill will be rising by £19 a month in July.

So just rang them, they offered me a speed upgrade for £2 less than I've been paying

Being slightly suspicious I'm looking to find out what the catch is.

I just wonder if they are suffering a bit from competition.

I think they know full well I could get it a fair bit cheaper elsewhere.

 

£19 a month extra! They can dream on re that, eh @pete.

 

Thats what I thought, I think they do it just to get you to contact them, if you dont............

 

@ViewAhead so agree about dogs and their owners. Having been attacked by one (he really is friendly) and at A&E for hours getting treatment and jabs I am terrified of being near any dogs.

 

Sorry to hear about your experience, @On the Levels. It is a nightmare round here. Lots of retired people equals lots of dogs, with many households having at least two.

Anyway, what has made me happy today is lying on the sofa, one eye on the tennis, and the other watching the blackbirds wrestle cherries off my neighbour's tree and then fly down into my garden to enjoy them.