It is a not-good head day, an unfinished pastel cat is staring at me, and many things are yet undone.
However, it is a well and good time to give thanks again. Being thankful for many things helps focus brain on the many reasons one has to be grateful for things and experiences, and thankful for the things one has to be thankful for. Yes, even for learning enough Grammar to know that that last sentence could have better written. But, onward.
So - on Thanksgiving Eve - with classical music on the radio and good jazz on the laptop - yes, at the same time - sanity comes at an odd cost - here goes -
Today I am Thankful:
1) for waking up after unexpected four-hour late afternoon nap.
2) that the main food prep here has already been done. Wild and brown rice with Brussels sprouts and other goodies. One big batch - divided for two festivities.
3) for a working laptop computer that keeps modern miracles happening.
4) that an order (yes, only one, but one) got mailed.
5) for the very warm green University of Minnesota - Duluth sweatshirt I am wearing.
6) many friends and much family have plans to share feasts with fellow friends and family.
7) for John Prine. (Thanks, Annalisa!)
8) for soft jazz.
9) for seeing all the quarters left for others in the Aldi's shopping carts today.
10) for cardboard.
11) for Netflix. I was watching a "Winnie the Pooh" movie just a bit ago.
12) that we have more oil paint than I will probably use up in my life time. GET PAINTING!!
13) that the gladiola bulbs are out of the ground and drying in prep for next Spring's re-planting.
14) LAUGHTER happens.
15) Todd pointed out the plumpest grey squirrel's new way of eating sunflower seeds - SCOOPING a bunch up in its paws all at one time. We watched. We laughed. If we ate squirrel, this one might be great eating. Now to see that Not Our Cat is not lucky enough a hunter to find out!
16) that the dishes are clean, and the kitchen counters are as clean as they are getting tonight. Clear working surfaces can be magical places.
17) I have pre-thunk possible eating and drinking strategies for the two Thanksgiving feasts. Head is forcing this "sad" doing. So, very little or no alcohol, keep to mostly veggie dishes, a little turkey, little gravy (gravy.... sigh), and a wee bit of pie? No real coffee. I feel depressed just typing this. Really. But the head has not been happy this week, and I want to be able to join in conversation and laughter. There was a time when I could not. The thought of relapse puts me into minor panic from time to time. But also creates empathy for the many others who have food issues much harder to deal with than mine.
18) for Vince Guaraldi and all his fine jazz. Think "Charlie Brown" soundtracks and expand the playlist from there. He wrote so much more than "Linus and Lucy."
19) for "Linus and Lucy."
20) that I don't have to watch the Green Bay Packers play football on Thursday, and can cheer for the Detroit Lions against the Minnesota Vikings. Go, Lions! Yes, I live in Minnesota and am married to a Vikings fan.
21) for other peoples' art fair dogs -
BRACE O'PUGS!!
22) for blooming geraniums in the almost-Winter kitchen.
23) for the people who created Honeycrisp apples.
24) for Honeycrisp apples.
25) for bees.
26) for other pollenators.
27) that there is sunshine in tomorrow's forecast.
28) for crisp friendships and gooey friendships.
29) that there are far more than thirty things for which I am thankful for EVERY DAY.
30) for hot herbal tea on a semi-nippy night.
31) that Kurt Vonnegut existed, and that his words live on. (I do not know who to credit for image.)
As he said, "So it goes."
And, yes, so it goes.
Sometines Thankfuls come easy. Sometimes Thankfuls come hard. Sometimes it helps to make a list.
Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate!
Fare-thee-well,
Sue
