Cubs win! Cubs win!

Kris Bryant, home run, bottom of the 9th. God, I love this team!

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 24

Today's Happy Cone goes to "Mr. Pigeon." I was back at work today after four long, glorious days off. I saw everything with fresh eyes, including the infusion of tourists enjoying The Loop.

For example, I saw a little boy of about 7 filled with awe about everything he took in as he and his family waited for a table outside in the sun, in view of the park. First he looked up at the tall buildings, jaw agape. Then his gaze returned to earth, where he was delighted to see a pigeon, scrounging around for crumbs. Most people ignore pigeons or regard them with disgust. But my little tow-headed tourist said, "Hey, Mr. Pigeon!"

So instead of bitching about the tourists, blocking the sidewalks and intersections as they stop to consult their maps or phones and (AARGH!) take selfies, I should remember that I'm watching people make memories and, perhaps, see something they've never encountered before. Viewed that way, their joy can be infectious.

What's that you say? What's the August Happiness Challenge?

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.