I’m also thankful for 18 minute, 16 second songs that can be replayed on YouTube.

I am thankful for a wonderful husband. Every day with this man feels like a holiday.

I am thankful for our two furry beasts, who serve not only as companions but working animals:
The dog is a doorbell, a personal trainer and a confidence booster and the cat is a mouser, a foot warmer and keeps us from getting too confident.

I am thankful for parents who are now friends, a brother and sister-in-law I’m always excited to see, and a supportive and fun extended family and in-laws.

I am thankful to be in touch with good friends from every period of my life, from high school to college to the newsroom to my time in Spain.

I’m thankful for the publication of my first book this year.

I’m thankful for a full draft of the sequel and an editor who is interested in seeing it.

I’m thankful for our home, and that our kitchen floor is not an inch lower.

I’m thankful for my job at the college. I seriously have the best job on campus.

I’m thankful for my students, who keep me young and, presumably, cool.

I’m thankful for a garden that keeps us in vegetables well into the winter and a neighbor who continues to introduce me to fruits I’ve never seen before.

I’m thankful for the health of everyone I’ve mentioned.

I’m thankful that there are so many good books I haven’t read yet.

I’m thankful to have been born in a time and place when I have rights, which given history and the odds, is pretty amazing.

I’m thankful for the people who read this blog. When I started blogging, I wasn’t sure anyone would want to read what I was writing here. Thank you for proving me wrong and thank you for all your comments. I’ve met some cool people through this blog, and I always look forward to reading what you have to say.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

What are you thankful for?