Gratitude, Day 10: Enough to Eat

It's easy to forget that for many around the world, unsatisfied hunger and a lack of nutritious food are daily problems. I am grateful that my family and loved ones all have enough to eat.

(Although perhaps "porcupine meatballs" aren't the most photogenic of dishes... (g))

Gratitude, Day 9: Afternoon Walks

...down to the pond, along paths through the pines.

This time of year it's especially pleasant-- cool air, touches of autumn color here and there, leaves crunching underfoot, and all sorts of interesting, earthy smells.

Gratitude, Day 8: Seasonal Color

We don't get a lot of it down here, but what we do have is very much appreciated.

Gratitude, Day 7: Someone to Play Games With

I appreciate being married to someone who enjoys playing board games (and card games, too, for that matter). It's a rare weekend that we don't make time for at least one game. Yesterday we played Jambo; this afternoon it was Scrabble (and he won, even though English is his second language).

Gratitude, Day 6: Scratching Things Off Lists

This morning, Donald kindly cut down some small trees that had either died or volunteered where they weren't wanted. Meanwhile, I burned some garden debris, including trimmings from our sago palm.

There are still plenty of gardening tasks on my to-do list for autumn and winter, but it's a start, and boy, it sure feels good to be scratching things off that list, for a change!

(Also, I like bonfires, so I'm grateful that we've finally had enough rain recently that I feel safe making one.)

Gratitude, Day 5: A Good Book

These are a handful of my favorite books-- some of my old friends that I turn to again and again (whether to indulge in the whole novel or to savor simply the "best bits").

A good book definitely inspires me with gratitude.

Gratitude, Day 4: Abstract Photography

...Because it's so much fun (and a nice break from regular, straightforward photography)!

Gratitude, Day 3: Raindrops

The soothing, sleepy patter of rain on the roof-- the blurring of the world outside (and the temporary fading away of its noises and worries)-- the darkening sky making the lamplight that much cozier-- the knowledge that my thirsty plants are getting a good, long drink at last...

I appreciate a day of autumn showers.

Gratitude, Day 2: Liberty & Freedom

(I'm sure this will be a common theme for the 2nd of November.)

I'm thankful to live in a time and place where I am allowed to cast a ballot. Not all people living around the world today (women, especially) are so fortunate. It's too easy to take the right for granted.

Gratitude, Day 1: Laughing Dogs

Today, the multi-talented Lisa of Polka Dot Cottage invited me to join a new group she's started on Flickr.  It's called "A Month of Gratitude", and the idea is to post-- every day for the month of November-- photos of "the sweet things in life - those little things (or big things!) for which you feel a sense of gratefulness".  (I'm going to try to take and post a photo every day of the month, on the day for which it's intended.  Let's see if I can do this without cheating.  (g))

Sounds like fun!  It's also a good way to get into the proper mood for Thanksgiving... and it gives me a good first project to break in this new photography-focused blog.

(If you think it sounds like fun, too, please click the link above and head on over to Flickr to check out the photos that have been posted so far!  Everyone is welcome to join!)

Here's my first photo of the month. (I know. My billionth photo of Trixie. Not exactly flexing my creative muscles here, am I? I didn't read about the group until this afternoon, so I didn't have much daylight left to think about it, but I'll try to challenge myself a little more in the upcoming weeks.)

Not only do our two dogs bring us much laughter, sometimes it's not so hard to believe they're joining in with their own chuckle!

Thanks for the giggles, Trixie (and Molly, not pictured)!