First Things First Department: The United States is celebrating Thanksgiving Day on the day this post is published. Happy Thanksgiving to all those who celebrate giving thanks for the gifts in our lives.
This week, Ann-Christine challenges us to share some smiles. She writes, “… I was thinking, don’t we all need a smile? Let’s share something that made us smile, made You smile – and make the world smile with us! Old or new smiles, big or small, we welcome them all!” You can read her entire challenge post here.
My opening photo was taken on Roatan Island, Honduras. Gumbalimba Park is one of the island’s major attractions for cruisers, and the most entertaining location in the park is Monkey Town. The staff invites the friendly capuchin monkeys to interact with the guests—well, they aren’t actually invited; they sure interact. I had my cell phone when this little guy hopped on my arm. He took a selfie by resting his hand on my phone and pressing the shutter button.
It was our grandson Owen’s first Christmas in 2010. As Mom Carrie looks on, Uncle Josh and Aunt Nichole spend quality time with Owen.
Lifted trucks aren’t for short people, as my sister discovered.
At dinner, on a family cruise, while my sister looks on, her gentleman friend holds onto my wife’s hand so that she can’t respond with a gesture that was no doubt deserved.
I conclude my response with signs that made me smile. This sign, which I found in the gift shop of a coffee plantation in Hawaii, is one of my favorites.
The Phoenix (Arizona) Trolley Museum features exhibits that once belonged to the Phoenix Street Railway. One of the early trolley cars featured the company’s motto on this sign. When the trolley company started service in 1887, the cars were horse-drawn.
Driving through South Dakota last summer, we came upon a road that serves as the entrance to a cemetery. The road sign is ironic, for sure.
It seems this post has also come to a dead end. Thanks to Ann-Christine for allowing us to Smile a While. Last week, Tina’s post brought so many responses filled with gratitude. Next week, it’s Sofia’s turn. Her post will appear here on Saturday at noon Eastern Standard Time. Be sure to follow her so you don’t miss her challenge. If you’d like to join us with your challenge responses but aren’t sure how to get started, check here.
John Steiner
In South Dakota, we were traveling to a family reunion when we noticed this side road that led only to the entrance of a cemetery. I found the road sign ironic, and it made me smile. I had to stop and take a photo.
Flare Legend Adventures
Love the last shot and where its from… sense of humour I can appreciate 🙂 ANd smiles from our loved ones are the best.
I just noticed that WordPress dropped the paragraph describing the details on that last photo. I’m glad you mentioned it. Apparently, I inadvertently deleted that short paragraph. I just added it back. 🙂
Thanks!
🙂
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Thanks, John!
Almost always something to celebrate, John. Happy Thanksgiving!
If we ever forget that, we are doomed to lives of misery. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Thank you xx
It’s hard to see a monkey and not smile, and how cool that he took his own selfie! The last shot is a clever spot too 🙂
We would visit Monkey Town again, if we stop at Roatan on a future cruise. The monkeys are so much fun, and we had a great time watching each other’s reaction when a monkey leaped on him or her. >grin<
I smiled all through reading this post John. This is a great start to Thanksgiving day. I loved the signs and family photos. Happy Thanksgiving.
Thanks, Anne! I had fun searching for the photos that I knew I would use.
😎
Great photos to post today. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks! Back at you, Margaret!
Great photos, smiles, and commentary John! Just what I needed for Thanksgiving. Holiday blessings to you and yours.
Thank you, my friend! Happy holidays to you and yours!
Thanks John.
I am still smiling, John! Loved your signs and your family smiles – and the last sign is my favourite! Perfect.
Thanks, Ann-Christine! Fun challenge this week!
I’m thoroughly enjoying it!
Just love that sign in the gift shop. Somebody has both intelligence to think of that caption and humour to share it with visitors. How can anyone not smile at reading it.
That is so true!
I am here to tell you John, that as I write this comment I have the biggest smile on my face. So many great things to smile about there. Love the sign for the unattended kids, it should be a rule really.
Thanks, Leanne! That unattended kids sign is my favorite!
Happy Thanksgiving
What a great post! The photos are so full of smiles, and I couldn’t resist having a smile as I went from photo to photo. Great gallery!
Thanks, Egidio! I enjoyed looking up the images as I knew which ones I really wanted to share.
Happy thanksgiving to you John. Very apt photos for this challenge!
Thanks, Alison!
LOL for your final image John, that cracked me up. I suspect the monkey experience would creep me out a bit but I did smile that he took his own picture 😊. Well done!
Thanks, Tina! I had fun looking for these images in my gallery!
I love that sign about unattended children. I’ve seen it in other coffee shops as well. All your photos made me smile, John 🙂
Thanks, Marie! I’ve seen similar in other places, especially those with glass nick-knacks.
Good finds with the signs
Lucky encounters!
Wonderful family photos and signs, John. I needed the smiles after a hard day at work, thank you!
Thanks, Sofia!
Lots to laugh out loud about here, John – even the ironically truthful signpost you concluded the post with!
I had to plan to take that shot as the sign was at the top of a ditch. That low angle for the shot was because I had to climb down an embankment to get a view of both the sign and the cemetery. Oh, the things photographers have to do for their art! >grin<