Sounds

I'm thinking about sounds this morning.

Some I don't like: A thud, followed by a crunching metal sound from a car you're driving. A dog whimpering from pain. Hair dryers. Sirens. A cat in heat coming from your shrubbery somewhere. Breaking glass coming from your kitchen. Anything dropped in a shower. An electric garage door opener at work. Firecrackers. Airplanes from the inside. A mobile phone tone--anytime, anywhere. Lawnmowers and/or leafblowers. Dishwasers. Any appliance malfunctioning. A clunker note on any instrument, but a child's recorder might be the worst.

Some I really like: The first guitar notes from any Rolling Stones song. 2-year-old's belly laughing. The crack of a wooden bat by a major league batter, and the anticipatory beginning roar of the crowd right after that seeing a long fly ball (but before the ball actually leaves the park). Playful screaming when I'm chasing my daughters. The growl of a dog trying to pull a toy out of your hand. The hum of your spouse when pulling away after a really good kiss. The horn at American Airlines Arena after any Dallas Stars goal. A crackling fireplace. Snow skis making a "hockey stop" at the bottom of a run, followed by firmly planted ski poles and the re-velcroing of the gloves. Sand that "barks" when you walk at the beach.