Comments on: A Small Treatise on Happiness

By: amy

amy — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 02:04:07 +0000

You sound so very happy with your life and decisions. 42 and with family just starting to understand what makes me and mine happy. Love your blog. Thank you.

By: Judith

Judith — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 03:41:36 +0000

I stumbled across your website while looking for unusual candy recipes — and found yours for cracker candy. http://chickensintheroad.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/snoopy.gif

I very much enjoyed your writing & gorgeous pictures. Thank you for a literate blog that presents such a positive view of rural life!

Love the “gratuitous cat” pic — one can always use another gratuitous cat. (Or is it that no cat is ever gratuitous?) And the comment of your 12-year-old upon coming to the slanted house is something that could easily have come out of any of my children’s mouths at certain pseudo-sophisticated points of their lives.

Thanks again for sharing your life.

By: Madeline

Madeline — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 17:09:37 +0000

city life, country life.. what makes us happy?? Well, I am sometimes afraid of the answer to that question because yes, the answer brings up hard choices and decisions..

seems we spend our time “in town” working our butts off so we can leave on thursday evening and spend the next 4 days in the small mountain cabin.

the big house here in town takes the other four days to work for, pay for, clean, etc.. and then we go “relax” in the small cabin–

the deer, the elk, the racoon, are MUCH friendlier than my neighbors here in the city..

up in Pine, the air is cleaner, the days seem longer, and we are so peaceful..we
sloooooow down..
what makes us happy–sometimes it’s right in front of us….

I love animals but we haven’t got time or a yard here for a dog.

I love to cook and bake–do lots of that..whevever I am..

Much FOOD for thought in your blog–thanks!

(Gonna ry that burnt sugar cake next week.. yumm..) hugs to CLOVER.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 04:13:51 +0000

I’ve told people for many years that only ONE PERSON can make them happy, and that’s themselves. I meet people every week that are very unhappy and dissatisfied with their life, and I always ask them why continue down that road when THEY have the power to change it… easy as that. Sure, sometimes it’s a struggle to get to where you want to be, but you’ll be happier along the way and ecstatic when you arrive. Changing your life around isn’t nearly as hard as it sounds. The worst part is simply the fear of the unknown. But if you’re afraid to even start, you might as well throw-in the towel. And if you insist on living a miserable life, that’s your business. But stop making others miserable having to live with your tales of woe. Seriously, making YOURSELF happy is the first step in making others happy. You cant do one without the other.

By: Donna

Donna — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:38:11 +0000

P.S. – I think you would LOVE reading Ruth Graham’s biography by Patricia Cornwell – she lived as you do, in Montreat North Carolina..and I liked her quote that went something like “my home is in Jesus, where ever he leads me”…type comment. She was a very cool woman.

By: Donna

Donna — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:40:26 +0000

I have to agree with a reader’s comment posted above. I find my joy in Jesus Christ. Most of my immediate family is gone now and the ones remaining, even though they live close by, are not very tight knit. So, the one thing I am so very grateful for, is that my parents and grandparents were Christians, leaving me that important legacy and gift. They left some material things for me to have and I am very sentimental…but NOTHING can give me the same joy and fulfillment of having a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. I get down and discouraged, but he always sends encouragement and the help I need at the perfect time AND he will NEVER leave or forsake you!!!! What a friend we have in Jesus – a true friend.

By: Heather

Heather — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 03:13:43 +0000

I just found your site and I love it. My husband and I moved almost 1 year ago to a small hobby farm in Ohio. I still have to work full time but when I am at home with my 7 sheep and 3 chickens it is wonderful. Just going out to feed them in the morning and hearing them “calling” to me makes me feel terrific. Going out when the ground is covered with snow and everything is illuminated by the moon is like magic. I continue to feel like I am living in a dream or a fairy tale that has come true. This spring I’m going to get more chickens and I can’t wait to plant all my seeds. Part of the fun is sharing with my family and friends, both here and back in Miami, Fl. This is a wonderful site and I will be back to keep reading your posts. Thanks!

By: Fannie M Wiggins

Fannie M Wiggins — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 15:37:52 +0000

Life isn’t about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain

Everyone has the capacity to be happy. Not eveyone takes advantage though. Have you ever met someone who finds their happiness in being unhappy? Now that may not make sense to some.Think about it, that person is happiest when telling you all the things that make her unhappy. I have a friend like that. :wall: I too have had a lot of sad events in my life but I choose not to be unhappy over them. Like Kim W., I lost my 1st little boy to SIDS and my 2nd son 9 months later. After 2 miscarriages, I have a precious son and daughter. I have 5 grandchildren who are the joy of my life. I feel that we either give up or get stronger and I’m not a quitter. I am so proud of you Suz beause you are not a quitter either. You are one of the strongest women I know. You take responsibility for your happiness.You are a winner in my eyes..

By: TeresaH

TeresaH — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 10:03:17 +0000

What makes me happy? Many things, but the first one that comes to mind is the smile that lights up my granddaughters face when she first see’s me.

By: Angie-la

Angie-la — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 00:27:09 +0000

Suzanne, I have reading your blog a long time. I have always enjoyed your posts. I feel like I travelled the road to the slanted little house with you, seen your children mature, and watched your menagerie grow!
Thank you for sharing your journey with us!