By SUSAN DROMEY HEETER, Budget Vogue

What has sparked your happiness this summer, Budget Voguers? Have you enjoyed gardens and ice cream? Journeys and seafood feasts? Shores and the many shades of green with names like lime, olive, pea, sage, pastoral?

My husband finds his happiness in his new Harley Davidson. Following a forty-five year pause from riding, Dan saved funds, researched options, and finally located his motorcycle. He takes great pleasure in it and, thankfully, always wears his helmet. I have not ridden yet, as I enjoy my husband but not so much the loud engines. I prefer floating on an inner tube rather than speeding in a boat. Still, I will give the motorcycle a try, maybe during peak leaf season - that appears to be an ideal moment for riding without a roof, to take in the delight of hues and cool breezes. What I do know is that my husband rediscovered happiness after a long break; it is wonderful to witness. Harley on.

Happiness can be both hard to grasp and simple to find - my dog's ears are the softest around; petting them brings real contentment and peace. Exploring the Libby app this summer and hearing many books added not only happiness but also an affordable method to keep up with reading. The Libby app is free via your local library. No ads. And anything from the library? Pure happiness.

Some moments of happiness may seem unhappy or even sad to others. I had a 4th of July - which, if you are in New England, you might remember was extremely warm. I spent the day easing my dog's fireworks fears by taking him to the non-air-conditioned cottage we rent for the summer.

I read near a fan, cooled off now and then in the sea, and savored the quiet with minimal activity. It was simply too warm for patriotic colors - at least for me. I cherished that 4th of July even without a grill, photos, or fireworks. Ideal. Happiness. And a relaxed dog whose soft ears stayed free from loud blasts.

I hauled a free firepit into my VW wagon earlier this summer, took it home, painted it, and sold it for $200 on Facebook Marketplace. That brought happiness. Seeing my friend Doug after twenty five years was happiness. The Red Sox versus San Francisco with friends? Fenway always means happiness. Recovering from breast cancer and radiation? Restored health is true happiness.

There are countless paths to happiness if you choose to seek them - a morning cup of tea, a clear sky, a meeting called off, a hearty laugh, a hammock, making plans, dropping plans. Happiness is near, dear Voguers, even when it seems hard to reach, concealed, or overshadowed by terms like Midterms, Lake America, Measles.

So here is your challenge, dear Musers: seek the happiness, the lightness, the fun. Pet your dog's ears, drop a plan, catch a Red Sox game, hear a new book. Happiness on, Budget Voguers, happiness on.

Susan Dromey Heeter writes from Newmarket and often from the road where she honors thrift shops and enjoys FREE signs along the way. She covers all things budget-friendly and enjoyable, second hand rather than new deliveries. Follow Susan @BudgetVogue63 on Instagram. Dromey Heeter welcomes reader feedback, tales and queries. She can also be reached at dromeyheeter@gmail.com.