I am grateful for silly comedians – my favorite is John Pinette. Since I’m daydreaming Chinese food today, here’s my favorite bit he does:

Chinese Buffet

I am grateful for my former students who keep in touch with me.

I am grateful for a new wok. Thank you, Danny and Glenda. (It’s what we got with your gift card!) All you can eat stir fry tonight…but not fouw-evah!

I am grateful for Dwight. He calls his sister, and I like that.

I am grateful for McDonald’s employees who still go to work in the winter storm, so that I can get one large unsweet iced tea in a Styrofoam cup.

I am grateful for very nice blood center employees who make giving blood a not-so-stressful experience.

I am grateful for dreams about Anissa, Andrae, and Annistan.

I am grateful for dreams that include Katrina’s laughter.

I am grateful for two blankets and a really warm fire last night.

I am grateful for verenika. I can’t believe I just typed that.  I used to think it was AWFUL food, until I had verenika from CBA. Mmmmm. And that ham and onion gravy. Oh, how I miss it. That’s the kind of food that you can only get there. Just like the enchiladas from LaLa’s Café in Mirando City, Texas. Nothing else like it in the world. (Yep, it’s a fast day.)

I am grateful that I drive a vehicle that can handle snow.

I am grateful that Mom no longer has to get out in this winter mess. I can imagine my Dad did this morning, and I wish he could stay home and read a book.

I am grateful for the Joyce’s in my life. I work with a wonderful Joyce during the week and then get to work with another wonderful Joyce on the weekends. Both are teaching me so much about being assertive and confident and the inner strength of a woman, and for that, I am also grateful.

I am grateful that Valerie has a blog. I love her writing.

And I am grateful for Psalm 121 and the reassurance that I am not alone:

¹ I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
² My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!

³ He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
⁴ Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.

⁵ The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
⁶ The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.

⁷ The Lord keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
⁸ The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever.