June 3

I'm grateful I finally ran into a big, slow bug! I've nearly gone blind chasing ants and spiderlings around this season.

And make sure you check out the Gratitude Reject for more shots of this fellow and there's also this close-up of his eye.

June 2

Tonight was the school's end of the year Pool Party. Both Luke and Ruth admitted to being sad that school was over for the summer. That's probably more indicative of how good the school is than how many geek genes my children have inherited, right?

I'm grateful that they have both learned so much in this last year. Ruth has become an excellent and voracious reader, and Luke's math and reading skills have improved ten-fold. And I'm sure they'll adjust to summer vacation quickly and will probably be shedding tears when it's time to go back to school next August!

June 1

You know, he still has that look on his face nearly 50 years later.

When we first met, something markedly changed in our world. I had never met any man like him, and our connection was instant and strong. You could almost see it.

I'm grateful for him - for his love, support and kindness through the years, for the two children we have together, for our future that stands before us. Happy Birthday, my dear Hart. And may we celebrate many, many more!

May 31

This last year we decided to try some advice we found on the web regarding amaryllis bulbs. At the end of the summer, we pulled the bulbs, put them in paper bags, and stuck them in the back storage room in the basement.

Then we promptly forgot they existed.

This weekend we found ourself in that same room searching for coffee filters. I noticed a pink and white striped fabric-like thing sticking out of an old paper bag and was shocked to discover that one of our amaryllis bulbs from last fall had actually bloomed! The stalks were white and the leaves a sickly yellow, but they were growing. We planted all of the bulbs in a pot and set them on the kitchen table. Over the next few days the stalks and leaves started to green up and more blooms opened.

I'm grateful for the tenacity of nature and that we were in a position to notice. It's kind of cool to have amaryllis blooms in the summer. But next year I'll actually mark on the calendar when to bring them back out.

May 30

I'm grateful that I have at least one cheerful spot in my dungeon, aka my living quarters. It has taken us far too long (as in years), but the bathroom is finally fully functional and only missing an over-the-mirror light fixture (ordered) and switchplates (still searching for the perfect ones).

May 29

I'm grateful for beautiful and spacious skies and amber waves of grain.

Yeah, I still love my flag. I'm not so happy about how it's being used lately, but I think that at least half of us still believe in democracy. I hope our people haven't died in vain.

May 28

I had a teacher who made me study Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words when I was younger. At the time, I had no appreciation for these amazing short works. But I'm grateful that the music book was sitting on top of the pile today. I pulled it out, dusted it off and began to play through the beautiful, clean melodies. My ears and my heart were happy.

May 27

This morning, the whole family found ourselves searching for a warm spot to get out of the Memorial Day weekend rain. Great Harvest provided such a place and we ducked in for pumpkin chocolate chip bread and a roasted turkey and pesto sandwich. I'm grateful we got there just as we did because we missed the lunch rush by about five minutes.