After a long bout of illness and general malaise, thanks to a particularly persistant bug, (combined with a general case of the blues bought on by all the crap news and weather), I thought it was about time I lightened up a bit...by making a list of some of the things that make me smile (in no particular order).

30 things that make me smile

• Clear blue skies and sunshine on my face or shoulders.
• A full moon in a starry sky.
• The sound of waves breaking on a beach.
• The taste of the first pint at the pub with your mates when you feel one of those nights coming on.
• The smell of a bonfire and the sound of a guitar being tuned up.
• A reliable car, a full tank of gas, an open road and no schedule.
• The smell of earth in a forest just after the rain stops.
• The sound of laughter coming from a friend's house, just before you knock on the door.
• The sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach that you get being in an aircraft as it takes off.
• Watching any wild animal go about it's business when it's unaware of your presence.
• The sound of crickets through an open window on a summer night.
• The smell of bacon and eggs frying on a Saturday morning.
• Sunrises and / or Sunsets over any large body of water.
• The feeling of stepping out onto the street in a strange country for the first time.
• Funny one-liners and rapier-sharp retorts.
• Any form of jammin' - especially after a 'J'.
• The smell of freshly brewed coffee and the taste of the first bite of a freshly baked sticky bun.
• The tingle down your spine when you hear a piece of music that really moves you.
• The smell of Jasmine and Wisteria in full bloom.
• An unexpected phone call from a pal you haven't heard from in awhile, who just phoned to see how you are doing.
• The heat of hot water on your back during a shower on a cold morning.
• Finding a fiver in your pocket when you thought you were broke.
• Diving into the sea for the first time on a summer holiday.
• Walking through the gates on the first day of an open-air festival (especially with your mates).
• The sound of a cat purring while it's asleep on your lap.
• Playing a newly learned song note-perfect for the first time.
• The smell of a barbeque being fired up.
• The sound and smell of kicking your way through piles of autumn leaves.
• Drinking Irish coffee and watching snow through a window (especially when you don't have to drive anywhere).
• Doing something to make someone special to you smile as well.

What's on your list?