Ah Thanksgiving, the holiday that means people share personal and profoundly moving "things to be thankful for" lists. Although I love reading or hearing about what really truly deeply matters to people, I've been wondering about those small things that make you happy. (Nod to the ever-present song.)
So let's list a couple items. I don't necessarily cherish these things and wouldn't bring them up at the holiday dinner table as something that inspires a moment of silence, they're just... small, maybe amusing thing. My mini-gratitudes:
- Fortune cookie fortunes
- Coworkers laughing (#1)
- Little kids who wave in the car, like traffic is a parade
- My dog's "buckin' bronc run" gait
- The Weather Channel's coordinating-on-camera-personality-outfits (#2)
So drop one, two, twelve small or odd things you love. They don't have to induce tears or sighs, just the weird favorite things that you might just be slightly thankful for. Or share a link to your Thanksgiving essay and I'll check it out.
_____________________
Julia Schrenkler
Interactive Producer
Minnesota Public Radio
American Public Media
Objects in Mirror
- Really laughing, not that helpless, slightly nervous laugh I hear sometimes...
- Seriously. Marshall Seese's ties always coordinate with Heather Tesch's outfits. Cracks me up over morning coffee.
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Comments: 30
1. The Manakin Bird Dance It's guaranteed to make you laugh and cheer you up at any point See the Manakin Bird Dance
2. I'm grateful for YouTube so I can watch videos of my favorite BritComs online. How about a Bit of Fry and Laurie singing? (possible NSFW language)
Or a great Kraftwerk tribute by Bill Bailey
3. The Current
4. the phrase "Meat Pants"
5. Having my cat, Conan as a self-appointed alarm clock. I'm never late for work!
6. Most of all, the Mrs. who is one of the funniest people I have ever met, and who makes me laugh every day.
Gold
Rubies
Dogs
Cats
Wool sweaters
My kid and friends
--leaves crunching under my boots on the way to the bus stop
--the way my little boy breakdances on the carpet when I plug my Zune into the speakers
--the feel of a book in my hand
--hitting the snooze button for another 20 minutes
b. Same thing but having all 11 kids not jump off sides, lineman block, ends and receivers block downfield, and QB and backs actually get the exhange right so to break a long one or get 3 yards when it really counts is great.
c. My son actually realizing that his dad isn't stupid and realizing that his dad does know a thing or two.
d. My cat, Oliver, stretched out as long as he possibly can, with no worry in the world.
e. Wife and son out for the day and I actually get to be in control of the TV remote.
f. A nice cigar, an Adirondack chair, iced tea, the Twins on the radio, and a crossword puzzle.
g. My wife and son, even if I never get to be in control of the remote control.
That's much rarer.
Tom Lehrer
cats
Peter Carey
Blind Blake
Blind Lemon Jefferson
being alive
having a job
learning all kinds of words that start with "S"
Cate Blanchett
Hope you consider us here your online friends, Richard. Who else is wearing a wool sweater right now?
"coffee percolating" You're distracting us all, WS R. Wonder if I can add the "feel of a book" to my list...Have you ever contributed to the BusTales.com site?
I sense a struggle over the remote, Gary. *grin* On a more serious note, those football moments kinda made me emotional or something. That's no small pleasure. Thanks for being a coach to kids.
Raymond, you're right. A real good book is a rare thing and worth mentioning.
-The smell of apple pie baking (will happen tonight for Thanksgiving prep)
-Autumn leaves
-Curling up to read with my cat under the blanket keeping my feet warm
-Having dinner with a friend to catch-up
-Being the only one in the woods during a hike
"having a job" does rank right up there, doesn't it Nippy?
Awww Don b. you got all deep on us. C'mon. Like what?
Leah, on that apple pie are you going with double crust or with a crumb topping? Granted, both smell great.
perfume
new clothes
watching a good movie
my daughter
my salvation from Jesus Christ
being alive
*busted out laughing at the tiny clown car crack* You do need to check out that site, Frick. Whew.
Kirk, you know it. When someone needs dental floss, it is the only thing on their mind.
a really good cup of tea (the conversation to go along would be among the big things)
holly berries and snow
a good fire
southern pine, in any season
and then, there's all that music....
Plastic spoons
Dictionaries
1. my husband of 23 plus years.
2. my best friend that I talk on the phone with every single day.
3. my sister who brightens my day every time I hear her voice
4. my dog who makes me smile everytime I look at her
.
1. Phone calls, especially from my best friend who loves her phone to play EIEIO
2. A friend in England the way he laughs brings a big smile to my fac
3. Coming home from work in the morning and watching the squirles playing on the l lawn
4. My husband fixing me breakfast, and bringing it to my while I watch my morning
TV shows,
5. My co-workers at work who alwsys get surprised when I shocked then with
something.
6. Lazy days, where I don't do anything but what I want
7. My favorite movie or mini series, "The Thorne Birds"
8. My sister, who is having a bad time with depression having a good day
9. Ice Cream
10. Meeting nice people here on gather.
My TV
Rubber bands
Dictionaries! (and later, Rubber bands...) Of course, Thomas Millington, of course.
Susan L., congratulations on your 23+ years. I bet you're on the list of those people close to you, too.
There are some gems here on Gather, aren't there, Patricia I. My best wishes to your sister.
I had my first experience of fires with northern (outside of New England) pines this past March while in Alberta, so not an expert on what that woodsmoke is like. If woodsmoke were colors, I'd say those Alberta trees were deep blue while pinon is blue grey with hints of green and red. I am sure people burn pinon in other parts of the west, but to me it always means New Mexico.
My coffee cup
Fish Oil capsules
sunlight
sea salt
tryptophan
comfortable shoes
YOU know when you go camping....and you FINALLY get everything up and where it should be...so you can actually enjoy it for a few moments....
that first sighting of a good friend that you havent seen in a while
the taste of freshly made hot salsa on your lips from a perfectly made warm tortilla chip with exactly just the right amount of to much salt
when you are so tired that something remotely silly sends you into histerical laughter that is contageious and before long everyone is laughing so hard they are crying....and no one knows why....anymore....
when you kiss your adult son on the cheek and for a split second you remember that exact same feeling you had as when he was a tiny babe in your arms and you kissed his cheek as he slept
a really long hot shower