31. Blue blue skies

Winter afternoon, taken from my garden.

 

30. Seeing something truly heartwarming

I challenge you to watch this new TV ad for the Volkswagen Golf, about a cheetah called Lucky, and not feel the pleasant sting of tears in your eyes.

Lucky the cheetah

 

29. Going home early on a Friday

S0 that the weekend is just a little bit longer.

 

28. Interesting and evocative new words

Currently, my favourite words are “numinosity” and “numinous”. Both of them refer to a sense of awe; the architects of the medieval cathedrals of Europe, for example, were very good at creative a sense of the numinous thanks to hidden sources of light. 

Numinosity is a good way to describe the sensation you feel when standing on a mountain watching an especially beautiful sunset.

 

27. Boats

Such beautiful things, boats. Especially yachts. It has been suggested that, to approximate the sensation of owning a boat, you could stand under a shower and shred hundred dollar notes, watching them go down the plughole. 

Just looking at boats, on the other hand, is perfectly pleasant, and requires no maintenance. 

 

26. A silver ribbon in a deepening sky

Vapour trail at twilight over Cremorne, Sydney:

 

25. Helping somebody to feel good about themselves

Pay somebody a compliment. Tell somebody something good about themselves. 

It’ll make you feel even better.

 

24. Meeting other people’s cats

I spotted this wonderful black Persian cat watching the world go by from the roof of a carport the other day. His eyes are quite extraordinary.

 

23. Walking on a beach at twilight

This is Sirius Cove on Sydney Harbour. It’s lovely at twilight, when the magpies and currawongs serenade the evening, the waves sigh gently on the shore, and dogs dash into the water, tongues lolling with joy.

 

22. Not having a bad hair day

And believe me, I’ve had many.