Cheap Thrills

I read an article recently where the author advised folks to take advantage of the simple and beautiful things that are all around but perhaps ignored. It was about appreciation, satisfaction, and the act of finding joy without the trappings of hype or great expense. I liked many of the things on the author’s list, and it made me think of starting my own list of things I think about, but don’t do enough. This may be an on-going post that I’ll add to as things occur to me.

The other author labeled her list as “cheap thrills.” And for the most part, they are. At least they start that way … some of us may be tempted to tweak a “thrill” a little and actually buy something. But that’s up to the individual!

1. Ride a bike or take a walk on a beautiful spring day (or summer or fall).

I live in the country. Riding my bike, I pass a few homes, and then there’s only a straight stretch of country road lined with budding trees and wild flowers growing along the ditches and fields, a few antique barns, and various silos. And a bridge. Sometimes, I stop on the bridge to see what I can see. There’s a creek that actually acts as a drainage ditch for the farmer, but it’s still a creek with rounded stones and little ripples and living things. Frogs chirp, birds sing, minnows swim, and once, I saw a water snake. I have no idea what kind it was – I don’t like snakes – but it lay in the shallow water basking in the sun. And probably watching for something to bite (and this is why I wouldn’t swim in a creek). Once along the way, after a heavy rain that filled the ditches with run-off water, I passed a snapping turtle that had ventured onto the road. It’s shell was about the size of a small garbage can, and it was my first “up close and personal” view of this type of turtle. I’ve always thought of turtles as fairly cute and harmless. Snapping turtles are not cute. Or harmless. They LUNGE at you!

2. Make a list of the thrift stores or consignment stores in the area, prime the GPS, and check them out.

It’s true that this might not turn out to be exactly cheap (but at least, it starts off that way). I like the idea of recycling, of repurposing, of not wasting what we have. When we no longer need something, perhaps someone else will, and that’s a good thing. And it makes for a leisurely day. Go with a like-minded friend, have coffee somewhere, and that makes it even better. (Notice I said “like-minded” friend – the hubs is not like-minded, in my case).

3. Along the same theme, peruse the classifieds one Saturday in the spring or summer, and head out to yard sales in an unfamiliar neighborhood or town.

Again, love the GPS! Yard sales are a hoot, and there are two varieties.  I avoid the ones that are practically all clothes – mostly that no one wants. (The exception is a yard sale that advertises clothes for children or babies. There are gems hidden among the racks and tables, because often these clothes are still in good condition and style. Children outgrow things so quickly, so there are bargains.) The other type of yard sale is more interesting to me. There will be odd pieces of furniture, vases, decorative items, picture frames and old stuff from someone’s attic or basement and exercise equipment. People buy exercise equipment with good intentions, but there is nothing worse than a room made crowded because of unused equipment. It sits there, taking up space, while it practically glares at you, accusing you of sloth and fatness! (Get rid of it, they think, and recoup a little of the wasted money spent on it!). I am a sometimes crafter. Crafters can find inexpensive jewels to repurpose at yard sales. If nothing else, the imagination takes a wild ride and nourishes itself with possibilities.

4. Check out a flea market, antique store or antique consignment store.

This is one of my favorite things to do; unfortunately, it’s one of my husband’s least favorite things to do. He takes a book and finds a seat (and he’s *mostly* very nice about it). I love grubbing along at these places. You never know what you’ll find, and many things are interesting because you have no idea what they are. I like talking to the vendors and hearing them explain some gadget’s former use. I have a country home, so I collect things. I usually have a list of current things to watch for. Many years ago, I collected crocks of all sizes, and now they decorate my home. I also searched for children’s vintage building blocks with the intention of lining them up on a shelf to spell our names. I have my husband’s, the children’s, and mine on display. Since then I’ve acquired a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. Oh, darn (factiously written), I’ll have to start searching again. I have a collection of tiny glass or crockery cream jars – the kind that restaurants gave you when you ordered a cup of coffee long before the days of powdered or packaged creamer. I love old things, the way they look, and the way they make me feel. I like looking through the small, locked glass cases – they hold the little things, jewelry, cards, medals, spoons, tiny little toys and dolls, all fascinating things from bygone days. My home is full of antiques and primitive pieces of nostalgia. Some are family pieces, stored away in the barn and rescued to live again; a spinning wheel, a churn, quilts, front porch posts from the home place made into candle and plant stands. There is a blanket chest, an old school desk and a child’s rocker, a doll bed, a ladder made by my grandfather, baskets woven by my grandmother, doll clothes and dolls sewn by another grandmother. And so much more, all mingling with sweet memories and precious thoughts of family. I’ve bought things at antique stores ranging from a dollar to eight hundred dollars! It doesn’t matter – if it calls out to you, a “cheap thrill” may suddenly turn into an expensive (but satisfying) day!

5. Go downtown to window shop.

Downtowns are not malls and each downtown has its own variety of fun. My downtown has many unique stores, museums, coffee shops, art studios and antique places. There are comic books, chocolate, vintage clothing, and books. Enjoy the period architecture. Enjoy the stroll. Support these small but interesting establishments.

6. Attend a high school baseball or softball game.

Pick a warm, sunny day and take your own lawn chair. You may not know the kids on the field, but you can enjoy the competition, the pride on the face of parents, and a child’s triumph after a good play. Also the sunshine. It might take you back to the days when you watched your own children play, and that’s a neat thing.

7. Attend one of those themed “festival” days at a nearby city.

You know the type – there’s a parade and lots of outdoor booths filled with totally unnecessary (but fun) things and a lot of unhealthy food. There are crowds of people and the atmosphere spells ENJOY. There’s probably nothing otherwise redeeming in this kind of day - not in terms of the very valuable - but people watching is free and easy. And Fun, especially when you spend it with someone you love.

2. Go Sky-diving.

Okay. NOT! (This is a “tip my hat” at the fact that this is April Fools Day.) Because never in my wildest dreams have I EVAH thought about jumping out of an airplane … with anything less than horror, that is. Not happening.