Some Things I Like

               Jambalaya, justice and bare feet.  Watching ants scurry, macadamias and a warm shower.  Babies, baseball, butterflies and a fridge full of cold beer.  A helping hand and compassion.  A gentle breeze under severe clear skies where the temperature is seventy-five.  A child’s laugh and an octogenarian saying it like it is.  Peace and calm, togetherness.  A warm blanket.  Love and music and peas straight out of the pod.  Watching children learn and grow.  Kisses and hugs.  Appreciation, a checkbook with more money than the stack of unpaid bills.  True friends.  And I like variety and sharing.  I like looking at pretty girls and pants that fit around the waist and growing whiskers and giving my ties away.  I like honesty.  I like the full moon, cars that start and guitars.  Giving smiles, clean water and intelligence.  Positive attitudes, understanding and roasting marshmallows. 

               I like affection, praise, love and acceptance that flows in both directions.  I like ideas and do-gooders and chocolate.  Sleep, knowledge and stargazing.  Floating on the river, cashews and hummingbirds.  I like being able to trust someone and enlightenment and filet mignon medium.  Grandparents, cherries off the tree and parties.  The female form, fresh air, vacation.  I like promotions and pay raises and listening and learning.  I like writing and teaching and helping.  

               I like good health, friendship and wonderment.  I like givers, being loved back and sometimes peeing outside.  Homemade pie crust, cooperation and happy surprises.  I like kindness and intimacy and laughter.  I like tolerance, mayo and butter free meals and Dr. Seuss.  I like who my children have become, my dog and caramel.  Inspiration, projects done and tomorrow.  I like playing by the rules, alone time and silliness.  Inclusion, winning and the spirit of Christmas that sadly lasts far too short.  I like peace, seriousness and happy mail.  Staying at home, problem free and purple. 

               I like my toothpaste tube squeezed from the bottom, grapefruit with a kiss of salt and flirting.  I like different, physical stimulation and clean underwear.  I like fairness and cranberries with turkey dinner.  I like celebrating, being creative and just being crazy.  There are so many things that I like and I’m sure I’ve left plenty out.  Sometimes, I even like me.