New York Times columnist Art Buchwald died a couple of weeks ago of kidney failure. He had refused dialysis treatment, then astounded his doctors by living, according to Buchwald, "way past my expiration date."

At his home in Martha's Vineyard, Buchwald continued right up until his death to write his weekly column, many of which reflected on his mortality and the humor he found in everyday life.

One such column, written on December 7 of last year, was entitled "Happiness Springs Eternal." answering the age-old question, "What is happiness?"

"Obviously, what makes one person happy doesn't necessarily make another person happy," said Buchwald. "It is my opinion that age plays an important part. I'm in the senior citizen bracket, so my happiness quotient of 'feeling good' is different from that of my children and grandchildren."

He then proceeded to list things that made him happy, things like "when the dentist tells me I have no cavities," and "an evening in bed with a good book, preferably mine."

Like Buchwald, the older I get the more my happiness quotient changes. Things that made me happy at twelve don't do anything for me now, and things I cherish now I never gave a thought to back then.

Having the balance in my checkbook and the one on the bank statement agree makes me happy.

Using a brand new ink pen to work the crossword puzzle in the Chronicle makes me happy.

Riding alone through downtown Lincolnton at dusk and reminiscing makes me happy.

Watching Sleepless in Seattle over and over and over.

Doing the laundry and finding paper money in hubby's pockets.

Eating out, anywhere anytime.

Reading a good book while cuddling under an electric blanket.

Standing in front of my mother's gas heater with my dress hiked up in the back while it's snowing outside makes me happy.

Knowing there are lots of thin women who have no sense of humor makes me happy.

Listening to rain on a tin roof.

Organizing things.

Hearing my nephew play the piano.

Discovering a bar of candy that I'd hidden and forgotten about.

Flannel pajamas and fuzzy shoes.

Getting the giggles in church.

Finding a parking place next to the door at Dillards.

Hearing a baby laugh.

Girl Scout thin mint cookies.

UPS packages delivered to my door at Christmastime.

Hot tub baths (with or without the rubber duck).

A good joke.

The way houses look at night through the windows, lamp-lit and cozy.

Getting a letter from a far-away friend makes me happy.

Hot chocolate on a cold day.

Hearing the doctor say, "It's nothing to worry about."

The sound of hubby's car coming up the drive.

The smell of freshly mown grass. Atlanta, at night.

The first snow of the season.

Having my children come home to visit.

Fresh cool sheets on a hot summer's night.

And, writing this column sitting here in my jammies makes me happy.

Imagining scores of people smiling as they read it makes me happy. Delusional maybe, but happy.

Gold City to perform

Gold City will be in concert Fri., Feb. 9, 7 p.m., at Trinity Baptist Church, Martinez, Ga. A $10 love offering will be taken at the door. For more information please call 706- 863-1222.