Pat Bean's blog

{‘m thankful for rainbows. — Photo by Pat Bean 

This is my annual 100 things I am thankful for list, in no particular order. I wake up every day with gratitude in my heart, and you should know that this list is far from complete. It’s just the tip of the iceberg, so to say, but thinking about my blessings keep me sane in today’s chaotic world.

1, That I can laugh at myself

2, Soft flannel pajamas.

3, A snail-mail letter

4. The view of the Catalina Mountains’ from my third-floor apartment.
   

   I’m thankful for a white-winged dove on top of a blooming saguaro. — Photo by Pat Bean

5. The smell of the Sonoran Desert after a rainstorm.
6. Sweet kisses from Pepper, my canine companion.
7. That my back this year is not hurting like it was last Thanksgiving.
8. The 29 stair steps that I go up and down at least a half dozen times a day because they help keep this soon-to-be-80-year-old-broad moving.
9. That I finally have time to sit a bit and simply think, to connect all the dots of my life together so that there is meaning.
10. Advil
11. Good friends who know me – and still like me.
12. Authors who write the books I love to read.
13. Sunrises and sunsets.
14. The great horned owls that are residents of my apartment complex.
15. Road trips.
16. My new 10-inch Kindle to watch TV and movies on.
17. Art.
18. That my book, Travels with Maggie, was finally published.
19. The hummingbirds that scrabble at my nectar feeder.
20. My Tucson daughter’s washing machine and dryer.
21. Recently discovered old family photos
22. That I have good, if barely affordable, health insurance.
23. My 37-year journalism career that ended in 2004.
    

    I’m thankful for my canine companion Pepper. — Photo by Pat Bean

24. My joy in learning new things.
25. The unending support of My Story Circle Network writing colleagues.
26. Readers of my blog.
27. That I remember way more of the good things of my life than the bad.
28. A good pair of comfortable shoes.
29. Hot baths.
30. That I can almost always find a silver lining when shit happens.
31. Good blank journals to fill with my daily thoughts.
32. Jean and Dusty, my apartment complex loving and supportive friend and her dog, who is my dog’s best friend.
33. The Internet, which quickly helps answer most of my many curious questions.
34. Hugs.
35. The readers who reviewed Travels with Maggie.
36. Trees and their shade on a hot Tucson day.
37. Butterflies.,
38. Board and card games.
39. Ice Cream.
40. That life still holds surprises,
41. A good pen.
42. Air conditioning.
43. A good cup of cream-laced coffee to start my days.
44. Wildflowers.
45. Bright colors that radiate cheerfulness.
46. Wolves that have returned to Yellowstone.
47. Smiles and belly laughs.
48. A comfortable bed and soft blankets.
49. Skin moisturizers.
50. The Writer2Writer online forum I moderate for Story Circle members.
51. Interesting and meaningful conversations with pleasant people.
52. My dabbling with watercolor painting.
53. British mysteries, both books and TV shows.
54. Sitting on my balcony and watching a summer storm as it waters the desert.
55. National and state parks.
56. Rainbows.
57. Staying up until 2 a.m. with an old friend and reliving good times.
58. The magic moment between night and dawn when the world is all shades of gray.
    

    I’m thankful for dandelions and butterflies. — Photo by Pat Bean

59. Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park, which is my most special place in the whole world.
60. Landscaped gardens with the work all done by someone else.
61. Museums.
62. A gurgling stream to sit by and simply enjoy.
63. Electricity.
64. Audible books.
65. Old, gnarly live oak trees.
66. Honking geese.
67. Clean water to drink. Not everybody has it.
68. The right to vote, and drive, and be independent, which all women in the world should have.
69. That there’s enough undeveloped land nearby so that I occasionally hear coyotes howl at night.
70. My GPS, which I only have had for the past four years – and maps, which I still use.
71. A good haircut, both for myself and my dog Pepper.
72. Happy hour on my balcony with a good friend and a Jack and Coke.
73. My favorite stainless-steel cooking pot.
74. Mexican food.
75. Being called Nana by grandkids and great-grandkids.
76. That I finally like myself.
77. The black ravens that perch on the red tile roof and are visible when I sit at my bedroom desk.
78. Scented candles.
79. My computer.
80. Funky earrings.
81. Tucson’s offering of live community playhouses.
82. Making a new friend.
83. Bra-less days, which get more numerous with each passing year.
84. Jean’s chocolate chip cookies.
85. Memories of my mother and grandmother.
86. Fireworks that light up a night sky.
87. Hiking trails – short ones these days,
88. Nature, travel and wildlife photographers who brings the beauty of the world to my living room.
89. My daily walks with my dog Pepper.
90. Tucson’s late falls, winters, and early springs, when the weather is almost always perfect.
91. Old friends and family members who visit me in Tucson.
    

    I’m thankful for good friends.

92. A dependable car and that I am comfortable driving.
93. An occasional manicure and pedicure.
94. Facebook, because I get to see photos of distant family.
95. A comfortable recliner and good lamp to read by.
96. Full-moon nights.
97. The New York Times, which I read every morning.
98. My easy-to-use digital camera that takes great photos.
99. The public library.
100. And last, but certainly not least, each and every member of my large family who give meaning to my life and make me feel loved. At latest count, my family includes five children and their spouses, 15 grandchildren and their spouses or partners, and six great-grandchildren (soon to be seven). I am indeed blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!