simple pleasures

(One of my favourite things - my reconditioned 1930s bakelite phone which has the best ringtone)

Have just discovered that Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour is back on the radio. It's my favourite radio programme and I'm enjoying it through the wonders of the BBC iPlayer so I can listen whenever I like. Unfortunately they're not archived as my favourite theme he's ever covered is 'the telephone'. I've always been drawn to songs with the sound of a telephone in them, which is quite odd as I don't like answering the phone very much, and as Dylan's taste in music is so good you know you're in for some great examples. Knowing that this is back on makes all seem right within the world, well at least for the hour in which I'm listening to it...
Another thing that makes me happy is when I'm reading a book that I'm enjoying so much I look forward to opportunities to read and it usually results in me reading it within a week and then feeling sad that it's over too quickly. I'm reading such a book at the moment: Alain De Botton's Status Anxiety. I had put it in the bathroom with the intention of reading it idly whilst in the bath. I started to read it the other night, whilst in the bath, and I lay and read the first 50 pages in one sitting until the water had almost gone cold. This took my completely by surprise and I love it when a book does that to you. I've watched some of De Botton's programmes on TV before and really enjoyed them but this is the first time I've read one of his books. I'm really liking his writing style and it's accessibility and that you feel like you're receiving a history lesson at the same time - it also feels like a very relevant book for the world as it is today.
In her first book, The Gentle Art of Domesticity, Jane Brocket writes about receiving happiness from your own set of simple pleasures, unfortunately I don't own a copy but as far as I remember I think her's included good chocolate, some wine and a nice new ball of wool. I think mine would have to include a cup of good earl grey tea, some cake and a rainy afternoon inside with something good on the radio (preferably Dylan's Theme Time).