Practice Gratitude

[The “Walking” Edition]

• for being able to walk 1 mile without stopping
• for being able to walk 1.33 miles without stopping
• for being able to walk 1.66 miles without stopping
• that my accumulated distance walked today totals 4 miles
• that my ASICs shoes have been such champion performers
• that a kind friend tipped me off to trying them
• for seeing Nature’s creatures (owl, bats, rabbits; cats) as I walk
• for a lovely, safe neighborhood in which to walk
• for cooler weather that lets me actually enjoy walking

[The “Life, The Universe, & Everything” Edition]

• for gorgeous & cheap annuals on sale at a local garden shop,
• so that I could decorate my front yard with flowers;
• & that I still had enough energy left to go walking this evening,
• which gave me the opportunity to talk with various neighbors whom I’d not seen in a while,
• as well to meet the new neighbors who are just moving in,
• & the chance to compare notes with folks, learning that houses in our neighborhood are holding their value pretty well despite the bad local economy (cue big sigh of relief here);
• that during my walk I could enjoy the choral music of crickets, the smells of woodsmoke & flowering trees, & the sight of bats combing the air for insects;
• that my husband & I were able to eat out tonight—literally “out” (the weather co-operated so we could sit on the patio at our favorite local BBQ spot);
• & that I had a good long conversation with my folks last night (an hour’s talk, without any rough or raw spots, as will sometimes happen)! smile

Ice cream. Really, is there anything more sublime after a bicycle ride in the sunshine? Contains carbs and protein, and is cool and creamy…one of the great inventions of humankind.

My husband – a stellar tandem captain

Good health that allows me to ride ride ride.

Summer sunshine, with a few cool breezes just so it isn’t too hot.

Living in such a beautiful part of the country.

[The “Home & Garden” Edition]

• that the necessary dishwasher repair was minor & (relatively) inexpensive,
• & completed this morning (not next week!),
• by a local family-owned company (instead of the big national chain);
• that I did extra cleaning because I knew the repair service would be coming in wry grin
• & as a result the kitchen looks much nicer for me to enjoy;
• that the sun is shining beautifully & the house is air conditioned (it’s hot & humid again today);
• that the cut flower bouquet I bought (roses) has lasted nearly two weeks(!)
• & that the newly-transplanted roses in the front garden seem to be doing fine;
• & for strong coffee (& a single doughnut “splurge”) smile

-Friends who care about me and make me smile.
-Our A/C is still working, even though it qualifies as ancient.
-A beautiful late Spring day!
-A surprise cancellation of a rehearsal which gives me some free time.
-A nice conversation with a work colleague about her two sons.
-Healthy children.
-Having money in the bank to pay our final municipal taxes.
-Pets who were both happy to see me when I got home tonight.
-Free pizza lunch at work today (it was delicious!).

Today I am grateful that

• I found the maggots in the cat food before they hatched into flies
• the next door neighbor is coming home, so his dogs will be happy and not howling all night
• I don’t have to work a full day; I can come home early and take a nap to make up for lost sleep
• Emma thinks she can manage to bring her F grade in biology up to a C if she does extra credit

[The Nature Edition]

• for crickets chirping
• & lightning bugs glowing;
• for cardinals nesting in the hedge,
• woodpeckers drumming & chirring,
• & goldfinches flitting by;
• for fragrant honeysuckle,
• gorgeous roses,
• & beautiful ferns in hanging baskets on the porch;
• for the terrific taste & color of fresh raspberries

-The rain clearing up by the time I left work tonight;
-Two healthy sons (who give me gray hair!);
-43Things friends;
-43Things friends with good memories;
-Warmer late Spring weather;
-Having a job that allows me to work to live;
-Someone at work who asked me a technical question and I knew the answer, lol;
-A comfortable bed and pillow to rest my tired body on;
-People who put up with me when I’m feeling down.

• for lovely fresh raspberries on sale at the store
• for really tasty meals at both lunch & supper
• for having had a good visit with A.R. today
• for finding my bankcard that I had thought was lost(!)
• for having been able to help someone learn a new (to them) software application
• that I will have a full-time job again for Q4 (even though there’s no work for me during Q3)
• that the bright side of no summer work means a chance to refresh myself, building up my reserves & overall health
• for having had the chance to celebrate the birthday of a dear friend today
• & for being able to look forward to celebrating my husband’s birthday tomorrow

-A warm home on a cool morning;
-The sun, peeking out of the east, in the blue sky;
-Technology;
-A comfortable pillow;
-Cold and sinus medication;
-43T friends;
-43Things;
-A job to rush off to;
-The caring that friends show to me.