Pat Bean's blog

My Blessings are Many

          I no longer believe the Thanksgiving story I was taught as a child, but the day is still a good one for acknowledging our blessings, of which I have many.

          These are some of them:   

          My renewed good eyesight, after cataract removal and recovering from botched surgery on one eye that left me in pain for a month this year.

That I’m addicted to bird watching because it brings me much joy.

          Scamp, my canine companion who brings love and balance to this old broad’s life.

          That I better remember the good times of my life instead of the bad times.

          Air conditioning, because summer temperatures in Tucson can exceed 115 degrees.

          Advil and my pain doctor, both of which keep this 82-year-old arthritic up and walking.

          That I’m a writer who has kept journals.

          A hot bath before bed.    

          Family and friends. They are the most valuable treasures in my life.

My continued zest for life and learning new things.

Trees, each unique and beautiful in its own way, especially Aspen trees in the fall when the leaves look like golden coins and shimmer in the sun, and play music in the wind — and that I got to see them this year.

My computer and the Internet, which instantly satisfies my curiosity on most subjects, and keeps me in better contact with those who live far away, like seeing my seven great-grandchildren grow up.

Deep conversations about books, life and the world with agreeable people.

Comfortable clothes and shoes.

My chef friend Jean’s chocolate chip cookies and our weekly happy hours on my balcony.

Blank journals to fill, and filled ones to reread.

That I’m an optimist and not a pessimist.

Shared birthday experiences this year, a tradition, with my long-time friend Kim.

Long, solo drives on scenic backroads, like 89A in Arizona and Utah.

Daily emails from my daughter-in-law, Cindi, who also sends me surprise care packages occasionally.

That I have the ability to laugh out loud, especially at myself.

A rare day when political bullshit doesn’t raise my blood pressure.

Discovering a writer new to me who has written many books. There were several this year, including Gay Hendricks and Tinker Lindsay’s Rules of Ten series, Ella Jameson’s Hetheridge series, and Louise Penny’s Armand Gamache series.

          My Story Circle Network’s support team of awesome female writers, who’ve now been in my life for 11 years.

          Color in all its forms: lemon yellows, cardinal reds, forest greens, sky blues, ocean turquoises, rainbow pastels, and orange and purple sunsets – just to name a few.

A renewed relationship with my oldest daughter, Deborah, who shares my love of good books and writing.

Oreo cookies, my go to when I absolutely must have something sweet and chocolate.

Card games with my oldest granddaughter, Shanna, and her wife, Dawn, who moved to Tucson to be near to me, and who live in my same apartment complex.

My mornings with cream-laced coffee and the New York Times.

          Tucson’s colorful sunsets.

          A Jack Daniels and Coke nightcap.

          My oldest son, D.C. who checks up on his old mom to make sure she is still alive every day.

          The few TV programs I enjoy: Survivor, Amazing Race, The Challenge, Sunday Morning, and that I can stream them on my computer because I don’t own a television.

          Live theater, which sadly has been missing from my life during these Covid times, but which is slowly coming back.

          The Catalina Mountains, whose many moods I see daily as I walk my dog, Scamp.

          Hugs.

My monthly Social Security Checks.

          Scamp’s groomer, Vaune, because he’s a handful and no one else wants to groom him.

           Audible books to keep me company at night when I can’t sleep and reading a book in bed hurts my neck.

          People who are kind and non-judgmental.

          A soft blanket to wrap up in on a cool day — Tucson does actually have a few — and flannel pajamas and sheets on cool nights.

          Snail mail letters from old friends.

          Colorful jigsaw puzzles.

          Flowers, all kinds but especially the gardenias that grow here in my apartment complex and remind me of my grandmother’s home.

          Watching Scamp and his best friend Dusty curl up together on my bed when I’m on my computer. I’ve babysat Dusty for eight years, and she and Scamp follow me from room to room all day long.

          Piddling with watercolors to create art.

          Rainbows.

          Readers of my book and blog.

          Surprises.

          Modern day appliances.

          Vaccines, of all kinds, that have made the world a safer place to live and saved my children from deadly diseases like polio, diphtheria and small pox.

          Grocery delivery.

          Learning new things.

          Armchair travel when I can’t do the real thing.

          A bold, black-ink, and smooth moving bold black gel pen.

          Morning snuggles with Scamp.

          A thick, rich chocolate milkshake.

          A new toothbrush.

          A good massage.

          Dinner leftovers for breakfast.

          Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

          Pat Bean is a retired award-winning journalist who lives in Tucson with her canine companion, Scamp. She is a wondering-wanderer, avid reader, enthusiastic birder, Lonely Planet Community Pathfinder, Story Circle Network board member, author of Travels with Maggie available on Amazon (Free on Kindle Unlimited), and is always searching for life’s silver lining.