A few months ago, while dinking around on Facebook, I came across a question. Readers were asked to name their favorite sound. A single sound. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t pick just one. So, off I went on a fun little project for myself, making a list of favorite sounds. Here’s what I came up with:

1. A contented cat’s purr.
2. A gentle wind rustling through tall pine trees.
3. Gentle waves lapping a sandy shore.
4. Brisk waves splashing a rocky shore.
5. Rain gently falling on tree leaves.
6. The sudden song of a red-winged blackbird.
7. Whip-poor-will’s calling at night.
8. The whistle of my tea kettle.
9. The laughter of small children.
10. The deep gonging of real bells that mark time.
11. Song birds chirping in the morning.
12. The “whoooosh” sound from popping the foil vacuum seal on a coffee can, as you begin to peel it off.
13. Popping the cap off a glass bottle of coke.
14. The sounds my mom’s old adding machine made when she was doing bills in her little office.
15. Popping bubble wrap.
16. Wind chimes (prefer deeper tones)
17. The “pop” sound of canning jars, cooling and sealing.
18. Distant rumbles of thunder.
19. The splash of a fish on open water, feeding at dusk.
20. Running water Ala Mother Nature (streams, brooks, falls)
21. The sound my dad’s La-Z-Boy made when he stretched back to recline.
22. The haunting horn of a far away train.
23. The sound a pancake makes, when it’s flipped (that splat-sizzle-rise thing)
24. The whine of a reel when a fish takes a run on your line.
25. The sound of an hand water pump as you use it.
26. The sound of cutting freshly baked bread on a wooden board.
27. Warblers singing.
28. The “shhh-tick-tick-tick” sound a sprinkler makes.
29. The sound a spoon makes inside your cup, when you stir your coffee or tea.
30. Perking coffee.
31. The song of a male cardinal, courting the gals, in the Spring.
32. Stringed instruments, especially the violin, cello, and classical guitar.
33. The sound of potatoes and onions frying in my mom’s cast iron skillet.
34. Horses trotting or running across a field.
35. The clip-clop of a horse walking on cobblestone.
36. Tinkling of ice cubes in a glass.
37. Crackling camp fire.
38. Fluttering sheets on a clothesline.
39. A hooting owl on a still night.
40. Putting the lid back on the cookie jar. (Kerrrplink)
41. Pretty flute music.
42. The snap of an all weather flag in a brisk wind.
43. Taps (cherished sound, unhappy occasion)
44. The sound of a running dryer. (don’t know why, I just do)
45. The steamy swoosh sound from ironing clothes. (hot iron hitting damp cloth)
46. The sound of my dad turning the page of his newspaper.
47. The crunch of Autumn leaves when you walk on them.
48. Sleigh bells.
49. Frogs and crickets at night (peeping and chirping that you hear when you’re out camping – yeah – I like that).
50. The clink of cat kibble filling the stainless steel bowl (I’m pretty sure the kitties rather like this sound, too.)

Maybe sometime when you’re bored, or have a few minutes to play around, or if you just want to do it, sit down and think about what your favorite sounds are. You might be surprised at the memories that are stirred up. It just might make you smile.