Happiness Blogs

What makes you happy?  I mean really happy.  The kind of happy when you can’t stop smiling, when tiny twittering bluebirds seem to have taken up residence inside you, when you lie awake at night and count your blessings instead of the things you forgot to do and aren’t sure you’ll have time for tomorrow.

Happy!


Happiness.jpgFor the next months I’ll be blogging frequently about happiness.  How could I not with a novel entitled Happiness Key coming out in July?  If the title didn’t send me off to think about the key to happiness, the dilemmas of my characters certainly did.  Take four women, all unhappy for different reasons, put them in one novel and watch their lives unfold.  How can each of them find happiness? How can they find each other through the barricades of their differences?

In June I’ll let Tracy, Janya, Wanda and Alice speak for themselves.  They’ll tell you who they are, and what brought them to a dilapidated beach community on Florida’s Gulf Coast called Happiness Key. 

In June, as well, I’ll begin a new contest on my website.  So on June 1st you’ll find the official notice right here.  (If you go there now, you can enter a contest to promote A Lie for a Lie.) 

The women of Happiness Key will be giving away some of the things they love in a gift basket–or beach pail if “they” can find one large enough to hold all their treasures.  They’re having a good time collecting items to put inside it, and the winner should be happy indeed. 

Unlike most of my contests you won’t have to read my novel to enter–although of course, I hope you do.  Instead everybody who comments on one of my happiness blogs, will be entered automatically.   All you have to do is tell us what makes you happy, on any of my Southern Exposure blogs with Happiness in the title–like this one.  Of course, your comment has to be fit to print, so no spammers or exhibitionists need apply.  And it has to be original, so no cutting and pasting.  Just enjoy the moment and the opportunity.  Take a little time to think about what makes you happy, really happy, and let us know.  You may comment as many times as you like, but each person will be entered in the drawing only once.

Although the official publicity for the contest begins in June, those of you reading this get a head start for good behavior.  Tell us what makes you happy here, or in any subsequent Happiness blog, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win. Make sure your email address is accurate so you can be notified. The first name and hometown of the winner will be published on my contest page.

As for me?  Planning this contest giveaway has made me happy.  And you know what?  I think each one of you who comments will be a winner, simply because you took a few minutes out of your busy life to stop and smell the roses.

 

22 Comments

  1. Carol on April 1, 2009 at 2:03 pm

    What makes me truly happy? A hug from my husband “just because”…a purring cat…a sunny day (with low humidity)…seeing a child who discovers the joys of reading…and free time to watch the birds and squirrels in the back yard.

  2. Emilie Richards on April 1, 2009 at 2:30 pm

    Oh, aren’t we off to a good start? And that low humidity comment? I’ll definitely echo that.

  3. Pat on April 1, 2009 at 4:01 pm

    Getting involved in some fun crafting or cooking activity with the grandkids (one on one) and seeing them truly enjoy themselves doing it makes me feel very happy. Also…..getting a happy phone call from the grown kids and knowing things are alright in their world makes this mom feel happy and relaxed! When I am going to sleep, it makes me very happy if I can hear a gentle breeze blowing my windchimes (outside) while a soft rain pitter patters on the roof. And I also am very happy if I can fall asleep to the sound of ocean waves. (There are many other things that make me happy, but those came to mind instantly.) What a fun topic! Can’t wait for that book to hear all about Happiness Key!

  4. Emilie Richards on April 1, 2009 at 4:06 pm

    I feel lucky to have started this. All these wonderful happy images for everyone who reads them to enjoy. Thank you, Pat! I, too, am a huge fan of rain drops on roofs and the sound of ocean waves.

  5. Kelly Grace on April 1, 2009 at 6:48 pm

    What makes me happy? Quilting….spending time with my husband….sitting on the deck reading a good book (on my wonderful kindle!)….not having to go to work because of snow days….playing in the yard with my beagles – yes we have 2!
    Love your books and the blog!

  6. Emilie Richards on April 1, 2009 at 7:04 pm

    Oh, beagles! I may need photos. So glad you checked in. Thanks!

  7. Miss Paula on April 2, 2009 at 12:45 pm

    Happiness is simply turning my eyes to gaze upon the sweet face of my new grandson.

  8. Emilie Richards on April 2, 2009 at 12:51 pm

    Many congratulations. Grandchildren are a gift.

  9. Anne on April 9, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    Since I am computer iliterate, I don’t know what all of the above letters mean. I looked up your website to tell you how much I enjoyed your book, “Wedding Ring”. I am also a quilter, so it had a particular meaning for me. I’m not good at putting my thoughts on paper (or in just talking!), but I just wanted to thank you and now I’ve seen the names of other books you have written, so I’m looking forward to reading those too. I am happy quilting with my friends, being with my children and grandchildren, blue skys, being with my husband, the sunshine, I could go on and on!

  10. Emilie Richards on April 9, 2009 at 9:23 pm

    Anne, thank you for stopping by. I’m so glad you enjoyed Wedding Ring. And thanks for telling us what makes you happy.

  11. Mary Burn on June 18, 2009 at 11:27 am

    What makes me happy is having a good book to read and when I finish to have a quilt to work on. Also, traveling with my husband to “parts unknown” in our camper, spending time with granddaughter and daughter.

  12. Joanne Wittkopf on June 29, 2009 at 10:47 am

    What Makes me happy is having a great book to read and the time to read it uninterupted!!Nice sunny weather that isn’t too hot. Summer holidays are also one of my favorites as I work in a school and who wouldn’t be happy with two months off!!

  13. Diana on June 30, 2009 at 12:21 am

    Happiness is being “off” for the next 7 days. Happiness is payday! Happiness is a quiet beach on soft white sand with a good book. Happiness is being in FL like I am right now with my family and son from Nashville who is spending his last vacation with his family before he is married on August 1. Happiness is loving my future daughter-in-law! Thankfulness leads to happiness!

  14. Brigitte Lindsey on July 8, 2009 at 6:02 pm

    I am happy when i swim, read a good book (like Emilie’s books), work on a quilt, love my cat, and last but not least when i know my grown up children are fulfilled and happy.

  15. Staci Goodbar on July 27, 2009 at 3:45 pm

    Happiness for me is the generosity of my mom, the warm smile of my husband, the beautiful spirit of my children, the love of my family, the beauty of friendship, the peace of God. Thank you, Emilie, for bringing me together with the wonderful women in my life who share love for the stories you write.

  16. Emilie Richards on July 27, 2009 at 4:24 pm

    it’s a great pleasure to know you love them.

  17. Diane R. on September 11, 2009 at 1:37 pm

    Happiness for me is looking at my tall, beautiful, self-assured daughter and knowing that I played a part in making this lovely young woman who she is today. I thank God every day for this precious life he entrusted to me.

  18. Betty Kizer on September 16, 2009 at 1:01 pm

    Happiness is family, home, good health, life-long learning and good books like “Happiness Key”.
    My daughter and I recently returned from St. Pete Beach, what a lovely area. It was so nice to read a book that featured some of the beautiful things we saw there. We ate some wonderful seafood at a little cafe in Pass-A-Grille.

  19. Lucinda Nelson on September 16, 2009 at 10:11 pm

    Happiness for me is time with my family and dancing in the rain! A touch of kindness in strangers or being there when a friend needs you!
    I have always been a sensitive person and felt that relationships mean more than money can buy! God has given me happiness in all of this!

  20. Elizabeth Panni on September 24, 2009 at 9:29 pm

    Happiness is when my 3 year old granddaughter screams Gram-E and comes running to throw herself into my arms for a hug. Heaven on earth!

  21. Anne Smith on November 19, 2009 at 8:18 am

    Just a note to thank you for sending me a copy of your book, HAPPINESS KEY, and for the pewter key ring and key! Since I’m not a computer person, my family and friends were shocked to hear that I won, and how I had won! I was shocked too! I love to curl up by the fire on a rainy or snowy day, and read a book. I love a good love story, or mystery. Thank you for writing good books–I hope you will continue to write. Thanks again for my book and key ring!

  22. Emilie Richards on November 19, 2009 at 8:40 am

    Anne was one of the two runners-up in my Beach Bag giveaway. So glad you enjoyed the goodies, Anne and appreciate your nice comments on my books. I certainly do intend to keep writing. I love it too much to quit.

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