#Spotted While On a Day Tramp* in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (70s?) in sturdy hiking gear is taking a selfie in front of a swing bridge over a rushing river. Waving other trampers by, she grins and says: "I know I'm a silly old chook*, but I always take before and after pictures every time!" A piwakawaka* is fluttering ahead of trampers on a tree-root knotted track. Peeping here, flitting there, turn-turning to look around and then SWOOP, caught a bug. These humans are VERY useful for scaring up some lunch. A tiny human (2?) wearing a strawberry hat is toddling along a fern-tree lined track. Every time a new person comes along she looks up, grins and says: "Hi hi!" waving enthusiastically before looking back down at her feet. Even tramping strawberries know to be careful of tripping. A group of friends (20s?) are lounging by a coffee truck near a campground. Chatting with the barista while they wait for their orders, they're debating which vegetables are sexy. Many opinions are being thrown around but the consensus is that potatoes are DEFINITELY sexier than carrots. In a small country town surrounded by mountains, a woman (80s?) is inspecting her front garden with hands on her hips. Suddenly, she makes a decision, pulls up two fat spring onions, shakes them off and heads for the tiny cafe two doors down. Her friends see her coming and wave a hello. (Continued below)

Hey lovely people. It's the final day for orders of Tiny Moments of Joy to absolutely guarantee they arrive before Christmas.* Prices, inc. shipping are in NZD, so the exchange rate is awesome in USD/GBP/EURO etc right now. Huge thanks for reading🌻🌺😊 https://www.swashbucklerpress.com/tiny-moments-of-joy *Kiwis have until the 6th of December, but the deadline for the rest of the world is today. #books #bookstodon

#Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A man (40s?) and a teen are chilling at a table outside an ice cream cafe. Dad's sitting back, listening attentively while Teen talks enthusiastically, pausing to laugh with her whole body. Waffle cones of ice cream each. Big blue sky overhead. A vivacious woman (60s?) is chatting happily to a friend about children, gardening, grandchildren, the weather, then stops abruptly, saying: "Are you listening to me?" Friend takes a few seconds, then says: "What? No. I was daydreaming. Keep talking though. I was enjoying myself." A couple (70s?) are each lifting tiny humans (1 & 3?) up so they can see all the ice cream flavours on offer in an ice cream cafe. Youngest Tiny Human is hooting her appreciation. Meanwhile Oldest Tiny Human is insistent that she wants "THAT ONE and THAT ONE and THAT ONE and THAT ONE!" A small human (4?) is inspecting all the flavours on offer in an ice cream cafe. There's bubblegum... there's strawberry... there's chocolate... This is a very difficult decision but he has the solution! He pats his tummy and asks it what it would like. Definitely bubblegum. A woman (50s?) walks to a cafe counter to order, then pauses and returns to her partner, asking: "What do you want?" He says: "Cappuccino." "Right." She walks away, then returns. "Biscuit?" "Yes." She goes away and returns. "What sort?" He laughs and gets up. "How 'bout I come with you?" (Continued Below)

#Spotted On Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand: Two men (40s & 50s?) meet in a bustling market: The first says: "Hey Buddy." The second says: "Hey." The first says: "Bought a dingy." The second says: "Fishing?" The first says: "Yeah. The second says: "Done." Satisfied, they part ways. At a carnivorous plant stall: A man (80s?) furtively looks around. No one looking? Good. Right. Grinning to himself with the air of a naughty school kid he sticks his pinky in a Venus fly trap. Laughing to himself when it doesn't bite, then going on his way. A cheerfully bustling woman (50s?) is arranging fresh peonies in a public toilet, shower and clothes washing space. Four vases of fresh cut flowers decorating the sinks. Satisfied, she stands back, admires her handiwork and nods her head. This is correct. In an ice cream shop a woman (40s?) says: "Kia ora*, could you please get me--" She pauses to ask what her small human (4?) would like. Small Human whispers a request like someone imparting top secret intelligence. Mum nods and finishes her order: "A strawberry cone. With sprinkles on top." A woman (30s?) is lifting her tiny human (2?) up so he can use a water fountain. But what is this? Tiny Human has invented a new way of drinking water? Turning his head at the last minute so the water goes all over his cheek. Howling with laughter as Mum shakes her head and calls him a doofus. (Continued Below)

#Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (30s?) is demonstrating to a small human (3?) how to use a yo-yo. She's particularly adept at old school yo-yo tricks like: "The flail" "The dangle" and the "That was intentional, honest." Small Human is VERY impressed. A woman (30s?) is giving a shy looking man (20s?) a big hug. Stepping back she ruffles his hair and says: "Love you eh. You look after yourself bro or else I'll have something to say." Shy Man assures her that he'll look after himself and gets another big hug before they part ways. Numerous cars, trucks and vans are beeping their support to a group of protesters standing in front of a museum, holding up a motley assortment of placards to raise awareness for the local fire service needing funding. Everyone's on board. This is important. A woman (50s?) is lounging on a tartan blanket set on a grassy hill in a park. Garden beds of wildly flowering shrubs nearby. Butterflies flittering overhead. The sound of the city drifting on the air, but she doesn't need to pay attention. This is peace. A grateful and just a little bit overwhelmed author stands before a room of wonderfully supportive people at her book birthday party. Warm smiles and endless support on show. Plates of fairy bread and bowls of chips and Kiwi dip being absolutely demolished. Community at its most fun. (Continued Below)

#Spotted at a Christmas Market in Aotearoa New Zealand: A tiny human is aghast at Mum's suggestion that she needs a nap. Shaking her head vehemently, she roars: "I'm NOT sleepy!" Mum sighs, agreeing that she is indeed not looking tired. Tiny Human is indignant. "But I AM Mum! I'm VERY SLEEPY!" Two barefoot small humans (3 & 4?) are both straddling branches of a very big leafy tree, legs dangling nonchalantly as they watch the world go by. Mum hands them each a slice of pizza and they accept benevolently. Two small princes in their Christmas kingdom. A tiny human (1?) is being rolled along, looking around at the crowd with an unsure expression. But it's okay. She's got teddy clutched to her chest. Sucking teddy's paw, because that's what friends are for. A woman approaches a crepe truck with a bright smile. She says: "Bonjour Madame, ça va?" with a kiwi accent. The vendor pauses, looks up in surprise and grins widely. "Ohh? Bonjour!" Suddenly a flurry of French is flying back and forward. New friends being made. A man (30s?) slaps his head and says to two young humans (5 & 8?): "Oh no! If we go home now while the sun's still out we'll pass the beach. And then we'll have to stop and have a swim." He shakes his head tragically. "Reakon you can handle that?" Young Humans are rather insistent that they can. (Continued Below)