Thanksgiving 2014. This is typically the day of year when people express gratitude for things—so here is a partial list of things (and people) that I am thankful for:

• Polaroid cameras
• that somebody still makes film for Polaroid cameras (even though Fuji has discontinued their black-and-white film)
• my two delightfully neurotic feline companions
• having a place to live
• living in a place with a creek running out back
• being able to take the time I need to take care of myself
• the people in my life who are helping me along my journey and supporting my various efforts
• people who reflect back to me things that I might not have otherwise acknowledged (or even thought about in the first place)
• the technological and commercial developments that have made it possible for people like me to publish my own work
• having a working vehicle
• having the opportunity to try doing things that I enjoy
• being in relatively good health
• music
• art
• books
• movies and TV shows
• that Hulu has current Japanese dramas available for viewing (thanks also to the folks at Drama Fever)
• opportunities to try new things in safe environments
• things that make me laugh
• people who make me laugh
• the lack of emotional craziness in my life now
• Amanda Palmer’s The Art of Asking
• the veterinarian who makes house calls
• the small-but-growing audience for my creative works
• new friends
• old friends
• both parents
• things I have figured out over the last year or two
• that my car stereo has a cassette player—I’ve gotten plenty of use out of it since the CD player stopped working a few months ago
• thrift stores
• Silver Platters
• Third Place Books
• The Daily Poet by Kelli Russell Agodon and Martha Silano
• Pyramid Ales
• Darigold chocolate milk (though I’m cutting back because of all the calories)
• my ever-evolving soup recipe
• that I have reached a place in my life where I am feeling motivated to do things again

I could probably think of more, but I figure that’s as good a place as any to stop for now.

Happy Thanksgiving!

(27 November 2014)