Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Simply Refreshing

In full disclosure, this week's simple pleasure actually happened last week.  I just reserved the right to yak about it until we got home from vacation. It's my blog, after all, and I make the rules.

You see, as restful as a vacation is supposed to be, ours rarely fits that description. They may be pleasurable, but there is nothing at all simple about them.  We stay busy packing and driving and site seeing and walking...
                       and walking....
                                and walking...


This year was much the same,
but  in the middle of it all,
 there was one moment that stuck out above all as reaching the level of  
simple pleasure

Was it strolling in the surf?


 Nope 
I just put that picture to throw you off track. I'm sneaky like that.

Car games with a captive audience? Singing with the Munchkins? 
Eating my way through Epcot?

No.
No.
and close, but...no.

Instead, my vacation simple pleasure occurred in the middle of the Magic Kingdom, in the middle of the summer, smack dab in the middle of the day.

You see, at a time when any logical family would be ducking for cover inside the nearest ice cream store, this bunch of Huckleberries decided to hop aboard a raft in the blazing sun and sail over to Tom Sawyer's Island.

It seemed like a good idea at the time. Somehow, with all those trees, it looked cooler from the other side of the water. Well, looks can be deceiving, folks. There wasn't a breath of air on the island, and after about thirty minutes of following the seven-year-old boy I married

 through the caves 
and across the bridges 
and  into the rifle roosts
this hot mama was just about to hurl herself into the River Disney. 



And that's when I saw it.


Simple. Pleasure.

It was cold, too, so cold that I got back in line like a first grader to guzzle some more.

It's funny. We've done our best to glamour up the whole water drinking process. We have our bottled water and sparking water and fancy drinking containers, but in the end, nothing quite compares to ice cold water springing out of a regular old fountain.

I don't know about you, but slurping it up kind of makes me feel like a kid again.

Who knows...maybe we really did find the Fountain of Youth on vacation after all.

*****
Sharing with Dayle at  A Collection of This and That
Join us for more Simple Pleasures

46 comments:

Miss Char said...

Yes, a simple pleasure. After church on Sunday is drive or walk down to the beautiful dam area of our little town. There on the edge of the little park area at the dam is a drinking fountain. I love to sit there and watch how excited the people coming off the bike/hiking trail are when they see the drinking fountain with that beautiful clear cold water. I get it Debbie!

Canadagirl said...

Ohhhhhhhhh what "cool" simple pleasure! [o= Yes, a water fountain brings me back to the younger days indeed. Today between seeing Holly Hobby at the other Debbie's and your fountain of youth today I feel like I took a journey back in time. ((hugs)), thank you.

Blessings and ((HUGS))!
-Mary

Lynn said...

How fun, and a simple pleasure, I agree! Sounds like you had an adventuresome vacation Debbie:@)

Red Couch Recipes said...

Debbie -- you have such an insightful view on things and a way with words. In Wisconsin, where I grew up, they would call that a bubbler! If the water is cold, there is nothing better. Our vacations are never restful, we always do too much (my 17-year old is like the Energizer Bunny!), but I guess I love it that way. Welcome back. Joni

Sharon said...

Oh, so cute!

I used to ride bikes with my dad to go visit my grandparents - they lived about a 45-minute bike ride away. I will never forget the delicious taste of that cold, cold water when we finally arrived.

Sometimes simple pleasures are just that - really, really simple - really, really wonderful!

Amy Kinser said...

What a great simple pleasure!

I tried to send you an email but it wouldn't work. Appt. today went well, but still don't know specifics. Will let you know when next appt. is, okay??

Thanks, friend.

Crickit said...

It sounds like it was a simple pleasure "necessity". I haven't had a drink from a drinking fountain in years. I may just have to walk a few blocks to my old elementary school and take a drink from the fountain there.

Oh to have a "Fountain of Youth"! I guess we can still have one through our memories!

I need to get going, I think that they lock the school gates soon and I am not able to squeeze through the fence opening like I used to! :)

Jules said...

What a great reminder that life's simples pleasures are often exactly what we need to refresh ourselves!

Shanda said...

Sometimes water is what i crave the most...especially when my family drags me around in the heat. And this water was free!!! The best.

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Great vacation... I have to agree a great simple pleasure cold water from a fountain...but the type that makes me feel like a kid again is when I drink it out of the garden house!!

Water....now it truly is the gift of life...and for all these drought-ridden states like Texas...it means life

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

A fountain just like yours, is in the civic center at Canton, a huge antque and decorating market that we shop once a month. I view their 3 fountains the same way... it can be 105 outside, and you walk into that building and the water is ice cold and pours out in a healing stream.You are so right... simple pleasures! God always knew about water, and how it is a gift of life... makes me wonder what manna tastes like? Maybe it's not as plain as I think! :)

xo

Tami said...

In this heat, that is a simple pleasure. And I agree about the fancy water thing-what happened to the days when we would drink from the water hose outside?
And going on vacation with you and your family sure does seem like a fun time! Thanks for "bringing" us along through your posts.

Maryann said...

Simple pleasure indeed.

elizabeth said...

We are opposites in this...on vacation we lay by the pool, read, and do nothing! :) Love your simple pleasure my friend.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

Surprising what ends up being the simple pleasures of life....

Unknown said...

I. love. this. post. I love how you find beauty and depth and thanks in so much, Debbie.

We are headed to DW in NOvember! So excited!

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

Debbie, I can soooo relate!

Anonymous said...

Oh Debbie, that was such a cute post and a perfect simple summertime pleasure. susan

Ms.Daisy said...

You are just too cute! I was sure it was wading in the surf but you sure fooled me with the ice cold water fountain. I agree, though, when you are bone dry thirsty there is nothing like ice cold WATER. I'm enjoying your pictures of Disney.

~Jean

Gayle said...

Your posts are always refreshing. Much like that water, I'm sure. Slirp, slirp.

Christine said...

Um Um Good!
Yup, love me some good old fashion, cold water... anytime.
Very refreshing, the post and the water.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

I love your account of your day at Disney! :) Yep! Cold water does it for me. Around here, they think that drinking cold water will make you sick. My husband only drinks room temperature water. I can't do it. The colder the better, especially in this heat. Have a great day! Tammy

Barbara Neubeck said...

Hi Debbie,
WWhat an exciting holiday your family had.
I must have been a real thrill going to Tom Saywer Island and pretending to be 'Huckelberry's. what fun!!!All my grandchildren want to go to Disney World.
Between the island and the water fountain it really was 'childhood revisited'
God Bless
Barb from Australia

Tanna said...

See! That's the kind of talent I'm talkin' about! You tell a story like no one else, Debbie!! I so enjoy your writing. Have a wonderful day! blessings ~ tanna

Denise said...

I thought you looked younger when I saw you yesterday and now I know why!! Great simple pleasure. There's nothing quite as refreshing as cold water when you're parched. I still drink from my garden hose when I'm working in the yard. Do you think I'll catch something since it's not in a plastic container?

Nikki (Sarah) said...

too funny.....and you painted an awesome picture...cold water from a fountain....the best!!!

Marlis said...

That is one awesome picture of a water fountain. You are absolutely right, simple deliciousness. Looks like you had a great time at Disney.. Thanks for your visit and for your kind comments, many blessings, xo marlis

Rettabug said...

Hey, you were there when Ms. C & her Mom/Dad/2 brothers were there!!! You may have seen her in her Minnie Mouse dress or her Ariel costume. Thanks for the "grandma of the year" award. You made my day!

fondly,
Rett

p.s. Forget the diet!

no spring chicken said...

If you did indeed find the Fountain of Youth, you may want to keep 'the 7 year old that you married' away from it!! What a scary thought...

Blessings, Debbie

Southern Gal said...

What a pleasure! It seems the only fountains I find nowadays don't have cold water like I remember it from my elementary school days.

FrouFrouBritches said...

Oh, yes! Nothing like a coooold drink of water in the middle of a hot day! GREAT simple pleasure!!!

Kathleen said...

Yes, I can well imagine what a joy a fountain of ice cold water is in your part of the world. I've stayed with my sister in Arkansas in the summer and I know how good that ice cold water tastes! I have to say though tripping through the surf looks good to me too.

Also thanks for your comment, you were right and I've linked up to this week's SP party. I've focused on Saturday night's fun - I love a game of cards!

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Debbie, this is one of your best. Loved the suspense. You had me really going there, and, of course, I busted out laughing about you hurling yourself into River Disney. LOL!

But, in the end, that water springing out of that little fountain made my day. Simple pleasure is an understatement.

Kelli said...

Seeing that Fountain on Tom Sawyer's island brings back lovely memories of a hot October afternoon spent searching endlessly for the children. The fountain was refreshing indeed as it was for you!! Thanks for making a simple pleasure glorious!!!

bj said...

Those great fountains are becoming few and far between. Everyone has taken them out so they can SELL bottled water. I miss them, too.

Anonymous said...

I love it, Debbie. Very creative presentation I must say. Sounds like you guys had so much fun and the heat did not stop you one bit. Woo-hoo!! Stopped by via Dayle's. Don't you just love her blog-hop? ;)

Anonymous said...

Yes, it takes me back also Debbie :) Thanks for taking me down memory lane with you...

Maria

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

Very refreshing, hard to find these days!

I have been browsing through your blog trying to catch up, enjoyed it!

Glad you enjoyed your FL vacation, you were near where we are! We go to St. Aug all the time, it's only 30 minutes from us. Love it! We also go to Disney, more times than I can name! It's an hour away!

Katherine

Joan Hall said...

Nothing like a refreshing fountain!

Blessings,
Joan

Canadagirl said...

I responded to your sweet comment on my post. (((HUGS)))!

Blessings and ((HUGS))
-Mary

Anonymous said...

Vacations are often a lot of work and anything but restful. The best part about a vacation for me, is coming home :-)

God bless and have a great weekend :-)

~Ron

Angel said...

Nothing like a cold drink of water on a hot day! And I think you're right about drinking out of a fountain - it does make you feel like a kid again. Thanks for sharing another of your wonderfilled adventures!

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Oh, that is sooo cute, The power of suggestion, I am going to get a drink of cold water right now, unfortunately it is coming from a rummy old bottle!

Carol

Unknown said...

So refreshing!!!! I tell you what, I'm not the world's biggest fan of Disneyland, but in the summer? Uh-UH. No way, no how. You get the vacationer of the summer award!
xo
lynn

The Tablescaper said...

Ah yes, so refreshing. It's so important to value those little moments of life.

- The Tablescaper

The Quintessential Magpie said...

You aren't kidding... looks CAN be deceiving. Particularly in ORLANDO. LOL!

XO,

Sheila :-)

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