Pat Bean's blog

“As each day comes to us refreshed and anew, so does my gratitude renew itself daily. The breaking of the sun over the horizon is my grateful heart dawning upon a blessed world.” — Terri Guillemets

I’m thankful that this old coot still has a zest for life and a curiosity about it as well. — Photo by Pat Bean

1. That I’m spending Thanksgiving this year with family, including my 2-year-old great-grandson.
2. Belly laughs
3. The Sonoran Desert, where I’ve lived now for almost a year.
4. My resent reunion with my scattered family in Texas, including four children and their spouses and children.
5. Pepper, my canine companion and lap full of joy.
6. Rich African  coffee heavily laced with cream
7. My small RV Gypsy Lee, who is still running and still my only transportation
8. Cool nights that let me snuggle beneath a soft quilt
9. That this old broad is still reasonably healthy and still able to take care of herself and even travel some.
10. Hearty  hugs from people who mean it
11. That my January broken foot is all healed.
12. My Tucson apartment’s third floor balconies that let me see sunrises in the morning and sunsets in the evenings.
13. My association with the awesome women of Story Circle Network
14. A good haircut
15. Scenic “short” hiking trails
16. Achievements  of my kids, grandkids and friends
17. My zest  for life
18. Friends who love playing cards and board games
19. Learning something new
20. The flash  of sun illuminating the tail feathers of an overhead red-tailed hawk
21. Waterfalls
22. That as an American woman I can go anywhere alone and that my vote count just as much as a man’s — and believing that perhaps one day all women can say the same
23. Ibuprofen to relieve aches and pains
24. Discovering a fantastic new author
25. Meet Ups, which have let me gain a community of writers and others who share my interests
26. The hummingbirds, gila woodpecker and verdins that visit my nectar feeder
27. Van Gogh paintings
28. Butterflies
29. My  computer and the Internet
30. That I’m a writer and can live moments in my life twice
31. Rainbows
32. Helen Reddy’s recording of “I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar,” and John Denver’s recording of “Sunshine on my Shoulder Makes Me Happy.”
33. Tono Chul Park
34. Funky,  dangling earrings that belie my age
35. Bra-less  days
36. A stormy day spent with a good book
37. Good memories of my mother
38. Old  friends and new friends
39. A field of wildflowers or blooming cacti
40. My son-in-law’s chocolate chip cookies … hint, hint
41. The wind  blowing through my hair
42. My daily walks with Pepper
43. That I can afford medical insurance despite its big hit on my budget
44. A  wee-morning hours chatter with a long-time girlfriend over Jack Daniels  and Coke.
45. Children who worry about their mother, although their worrying annoys me.
46. The honking of geese as they fly overhead
47. Lake reflections
48. Family meals eaten around a table
49. My curiosity
50. Comfortable  shoes
51. The daily e-mails I share with a daughter-in-law
52. America’s national parks
53. Electricity
54. Pleasant surprises
55. People who care deeply about something
56. The wolf’s  return to Yellowstone
57. The  journey between destinations
58. A comfortable bed and a perfect pillow
59. WordPress for hosting this blog
60. Clean  white  sox
61. Water in  all its forms
62. Scented candles
63. A sky full of stars
64. Glasses that allow me to read
65. Wind blowing through my hair
66. Honest  politicians who truly care about the average American — surely there are some.
67. Bird watching with my bird-watching son
68. My dog-walking and writing jobs
69. For tears that let me know I can still care deeply about people and things.
70. Chocolate milk shakes made with real ice cream.
71. Nice and Easy, No. 99 – so I can forever be a blonde
72. Coyote  howls
73. Wrinkle-free clothing
74. Gentle dentists
75. My  independence
76. The  fragrant scent of a blooming gardenia bush, which always reminds me of my grandmother
77. The diversity I find in people watching
78. Large,  gnarly live oak trees
79. Audible  books
80. Maps
81. A good editor
82. Books with satisfying endings
83. The strong women of the past who fought so I could vote
84. A cup of  Earl Grey tea
85. The color  turquoise
86. Social Security
87. Antibiotics and vaccinations
88. Smiles
89. The gambled quail that frolic in the desert around my apartment
90. That gas is cheaper this year than last year
91. My Canon pocket, zoom camera
92. Air conditioners and heaters
93. Blank  journals to fill
94. The Catalina Mountains that have been my backyard for the past year.
95. A hearty  11 a.m. breakfast for lunch
96. The music  of a humpback whale
97. Stained  glass windows
98. Birds
99. My alone time
100. The family  computer nerds who get the bugs out of my laptop
101. Readers of my blog and other writings