Gratitude

[shanamadele]

There's been a bunch o' whin-y posts here, of late.  Now, I'm taking a crack at gratitude.

So, in addition to my health, family and friends, food and shelter and the lack of bombs dropping on me, I am grateful for

• discovering Smith and Bybee Lakes, which are so close by and accessible.  Last week, we saw a bald eagle there.  This week, we didn't get very far because Butternut was more interested in the bikes, cars and airplanes than coots, ducks and eagles.  But we also didn't care, because it's only 10 minutes from our house.  (Plus, we saw a chicken, on the loose, near the preserve's parking lot.  That was much more interesting than anything in the preserve itself.)
• opportunities for improv in the kitchen.  Today we had eggs, hashbrowns (from leftover frozen latke-fixin's) and toast for breakfast, homemade cream of broccoli and celery soup and cheesy potatoes for lunch, and the world's best cornbread (mmmm, Mollie Katzen) and succotash for dinner.  None of which was planned -- somehow, we didn't have enough leftovers for the usual shabbes smorgasbord, and had had too much pasta during the week to turn to that option.
• an opportunity to interview for a research analyst 2 position with the state.  On the one hand, there are other jobs out there that would be more challenging.  On the other hand, it sure would be nice to have benefits and job security.  Big downside: this position is in Salem.
• another opporutnity to interview for a political organizer job.  Pretty sure it's not a job I want, but I'm not going to say no to the chance to interview for it.
• a friend noticed the efforts I've been making to improve my housekeeping.  And, although I was gruff and weird about being complimented on my housekeeping, I am secretly enjoying it.