There is always SOMETHING to be thankful for . . .

Just in case anyone out there is under the impression that I am a bitter curmudgeon-in-training . . . well, there may be some truth to that, but . . . here is my annual list of things I am thankful for:

• Two healthy, happy children who are not quite yet embarrassed to be seen with me.



• A good, enjoyable job working with terrific people, many of whom I hope to be friends with forever.



• A clean and sober (two years now!) spouse with a smile on his face.



• My currently clean home. My currently clean laundry. My currently clean dishes.



• Friends. Old, new, nearby, far away, in-and-out of touch. There are so many of you that I feel like I could call at 3 a.m. and you would be there for me. I hope I never have to, but it's nice to know I could.



• The Mormon moms who are willing to take on a Scout den of 10-year-olds.



• Cloudy and rainy days.



• The JetBoil backpacking stove.



• Edward Norton and his movies.




• Stovetop Stuffing.



• Water in the desert.



• The smell of creosote and wet earth when it rains in the desert.



• The sign in my mom's house that reads: 'May those who love us, love us. Those that don't, may God turn their hearts. If He cannot turn their hearts, let him turn their ankles, so we'll know them by their limping.'



• Pine trees.



• Small cottages.



• Boxer puppies.

• The following fabulous locations that I am thankful I have had a chance to visit and/or live: Jerome, Arizona; San Francisco; Portland, Oregon and the entire Oregon coast; Misery Island, Massachusetts; Anchorage/Wasilla/Portage Glacier/Girdwood, Alaska; Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; Stone Mountain, Georgia. I feel fortunate to have been able to travel and have many more spots in mind for future trips.
• Spider Solitaire.
• Kettle Korn.
• Kindness.
• Excellent, engrossing books. Try Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse, a trilogy by Stephenie Meyer.
• Being perfectly comfortable, and the perfect temperature, in that drowsy half sleep, knowing you don't have to get up anytime soon.
• My crock pot.
• Homemade bread.
• You.

Happy Thanksgiving.