March 4

Lying flat on my stomach, alternately breathing in the fragrance of last year's lilac bush and the stench of Lilu's "washroom", I was treated to the sight of baby tulips crocus(?) pushing their way up through the soil.

I'm still grateful that spring is coming. But I'm adding to that gratefulness that I live too far down in the valley for deer to munch my baby bulbs.

March 3

Thirty-seven years ago, my mother labored in the early morning hours with her first childbirth. Her husband had taken off and her marriage was crumbling. I can only imagine how frightening it must have been to arrive home from the hospital with a brand new baby, knowing that you were it. You were the sole provider and responsible one for this tiny life.

Every day, but especially today, I'm grateful that she is my mother. Happy Birthing Day, Mom!

March 2

I'm grateful for the company of women. It took us over a month to get our schedules aligned, but we five, linked to each other because of our jobs, finally made it to lunch together. Well-behaved children, fine friends and Mexican food... what a wonderful way to spend the afternoon!

March 1

Dust you are and unto dust you shall return

Sometimes it can be hard being a Gentile in a land of Mormons. But on this first day of Lent, I'm grateful for that extra effort and especially for the freedom of religion and expression in this country (and thank you, Sharon, for so gracefully modeling your ashes).

February 28

With temperatures in the balmy 50s the past few days, I've been thinking about walking the Logan River Golf Course Trail with Lilu. Today was going to be the day. But just before I was about to walk out the door with her, I realized we didn't have a leash. We needed to travel across town to purchase a new one before we could start our hike.

I'm grateful for that forced pause in our schedule. The storm blew in so quickly that I know we would have been caught at least a mile into the trail had we remained on our original timeline. Instead our tardiness kept us warm and dry, and we settled for gazing at the trailhead through the rain-covered windshield.

February 27

I'm grateful that I finally got my act together and paid the bills. Now I just hope there's money in the checking account to cover them!

February 26

Sister Johannah and her three boys came to Cache Valley this weekend and we caravaned up Blacksmith Fork Canyon to see the elk at Hardware Ranch. I'm grateful we were able to spend the afternoon together.