Gratitude: July 2012

As many days as possible, I list six distinct things for which I’m grateful. The list is archived monthly. Here’s July 2012.

Reading. My blog readers. All the Oh-Wow dialogue in the second-to-last episode of Downton Abbey. Finding clothes I’d forgotten about that fit (!) in my very own armoire. Spray-n-wash. The purple blank book.

Falling up the stairs rather than down. That I only slightly stepped into Ellie, not on her. That the spilled liquid was water not coffee. That the food which landed peanut butter side down onto the carpet was an English muffin rather than toast (yay! nooks & crannies). The way each cat is currently sitting as close to me as they can get without disturbing my work. That it’s still morning for a bit longer.

Wrapping things up prior to a holiday away. Our cat sitter. The way she’s devoted so much to animals. Wonderful people far away. Their amazing gift. Quiet time for a virtual visit to an important place.

Another spill of water. Happening to have a dry skirt in my backpack. Andy’s wonderful gift of a pretzel, and fresh berries, and the NYT (yay, Higgs boson!). Those entertaining men sitting across from me in the airport. Using my passport for the first time ever. An on-time & safe flight.

Waking up in a house with my entire family. Boarding the Enchantment of the Seas. Seeing my first flash mob (in however an unsurprising venue). Mustering. The ship crew’s kindness and expertise. Hearing the “doctor” say, “Andy, my brother from another mother!”

Dramamine. Laps alone around decks 5 and 10 on a gorgeous afternoon. The comfort of wearing workout clothes right up until dinner time. New rule: o.k. to eat hot dogs whilst at sea. Running into Mom at the Bermuda talk. Dressing up.

A good chat with Mom and Dad on their balcony. The spot Andy and I found — a quiet place on Deck 10 — for sunny views. Seeing those goats walk along the hillside. Meeting Joyce and her companion on the sandy shore with live reggae and rum in Bermuda. Bermuda. Bermuda.

Feeling healthy on the boat ride to Hamilton. Hamilton. The ancient man volunteering in the mini-cathedral there. Deciding to walk to the top of the tower inside the smallest gray tube I’ve ever entered. Going out of my comfort zone. Not requiring CPR at the top. The quaintest post office, stamps and dollar bills I’ve ever seen. Queen Elizabeth Park and the yellow chested bird. Hot tub girl talk with Sammi. A date with my brother and Andy in the most British pub I’ve been in yet. The singer who sounded too much like Eric Clapton, but enough like Paul McCartney. The encore at the Bolero. Fist waiving from the loft in the Viking. A new hat. A long hallway. The sort of laughter only my big brother can cause. New game: taste something off of every room service tray left in the hallway. That the trays we encountered were empty.

Sea Biscuit’s kindness when we arrived three minutes before the cut off. Awesomely informative and entertaining talk on the boat tour. Enjoying our last hours in such a wonderful country with super people. Rum cake. Lunch with Mom. So many kinds of blue.

Dramamine. Ways to stay occupied even on a rainy day at sea. The flag parade. Chess in the library. Lunch in the formal dining room with Mom and Dad. Being shocked with over-the-top generosity from my family.

Safe arrival in Baltimore. The man who carried our bags. Crabs! Crabs with Ken and Laurie and Robert and Sam and Mom and Dad and Andy. Dinner at the Four with my favorite people. Finding common ground with Robert (thank you, Seth MacFarlane).

An on-time and safe departure at the airport. Peaceful flight. Amazing memories of a wonderful vacation. Arriving home to our beautiful kitty-girls. An afternoon to settle in. That the sofa cushion covers are washable.

Unmemorable days. Finishing reading A Clash of Kings. Having a Game of Thrones: Season Two marathon from On Demand. Kitties sleeping with me. That I didn’t gain weight on the cruise. Carrying groceries in my backpack.

Getting some work done. Andy’s chores. Heading off for a quiet dinner alone. Starting the next Game of Thrones book with the hopes of staying ahead of HBO this time. Cheesecake. Walking it off.

Neem oil. The idea to cover my nose with bergamot oil and wear an outlaw mask before spraying the aforementioned pesticide. A good call with my new CPA. A good call with a great colleague. A good call with a great friend. A good call with my Mom.

Driving along the Pacific Ocean. Seeing that it is blue, too. Plans for more travel. Hearing, “You were missed.” Fruit juice. Peaceful work.

French fries that bring me right back to the pool snack bar circa 1978. Sunlight through green leaves. A tweet from Glenn Greenwald! Kitties who demonstrate their love for us. Ordering my first set of business cards that identify me as, “writer.” Pink sky.

Safe drive downtown. Los Angeles. The parking garage attendants and friendly exchanges with them. A pleasant working lunch. That Ellie and Ruby opted not to pee on the sofa. NyQuil.

Seeing the man wearing a bathrobe out walking his dogs. Morning time to write. That message written in pink chalk, “Are you living your dream?” Hearing that a greeting card I sent brightened someone’s day. Salsa. Chips.

A healthy body to lift weights and walk with. Cuddles with the kitties and Andy. Lunch with my little sister. Lori for taking care of those stray baby cats. Time to wander home slowly. Shopping for a new mattress with a purchase to look forward to.

Bathroom doors. An apartment with two floors. Being asked out on a date by Andy. That we made it to Literati in the last few hours before it transforms. All my dear memories from that place. Sudden tears. A healing conversation with the owner, a fellow writer.

Lighting a candle for Lily. Lily. Ruby. Ellie. Snoops. Nosie. Shaggy. Happy. Smokey. Smokey 2. (Was there a Mittens, too?)

Flexible schedule. Alone time. Writing time. Music I like at a job I like. Advanced Find features. Archives.

Carrots. Water. Gardeners. Keys. Locks. Pleasant conversations.

Twitter. Instagram. (Sighing) Facebook (too). Vegan cookies. That TJ’s is exactly one mile away, the perfect walk-to-the-store distance. A good chat with a good friend today.

Seeing Aida. Aida. Her skills. That parking spot. Shopping without buying, feeling content without acquisition. A leisurely paced workday.

French Martini. Parking space. That cars have horns. Cloth napkins. Andy. Murals.

Waking up on my back with my arms cradling my head. Free thoughts. Sunshine. Cold water. Refrigerator. Time to rest.

Broken blue glass for my photos. Being home when the postman arrived. A quiet lunch. Tears. A Storm Of Swords. Fingernail clippers.

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