Karen Drake

Meant to do this yesterday, my post-challenge reflections. Someone pointed out that since I'm already doing a lot and I picked things that would be easy for me to do, it wasn't much of a challenge. That's probably true and if I had thought about that beforehand I might have picked different goals. But I did find a lot of value in the gratitude challenge and I'm glad did that one. Every day on my morning commute I think of 3 things, and I try not to repeat things. It's a nice meditation and sets the tone for the day. I intend to continue doing that even if I'm not writing them down. 

Another thing that I was happy to see was how engaged everyone is in this cause, it gives me hope that we really can make a difference. Thanks!

For Wednesday, 10/25:
1. I am grateful for the good luck of living so close to where I work. It's only 8 miles, a pleasant 15-20 minute commute through moderate traffic.
2. I am grateful for the miracle of the toothbrush and toothpaste. Man, that feels so great in the morning! My grandmother told me that in Depression-era Georgia they had to brush their teeth using frayed twigs. That tidbit of knowledge will come in handy after the apocalypse. ;-)
3. I am grateful for indoor plumbing, especially the hot water tap and the modern flush toilet.  

For Tuesday, 10/24:
1. I am grateful for having a job that I love. I wish everyone could have the same good fortune.
2. I am grateful for online banking. What a time, money, and paper-saving idea.
3. I am grateful for my education. Yes, I paid dearly (and am still paying!) for it, but it has helped me accomplish so much.

For Monday, 10/23:
1. I am grateful for Halloween, hands down the most entertaining holiday.
2. I am grateful for having such kind and considerate neighbors. 
3. I am grateful for being able to own my own home. It may be a rundown fixer-upper, but it's MY rundown fixer, upper. 

For Sunday, 10/22:
1. I am grateful for Netflix. It rescued me from the mind-numbing onslaught of commercial advertising and helped me break my addiction to TV. 
2. I am grateful for my iPad, that thing is a technological miracle, plus it gives me portable access to podcasts, audiobooks and ebooks.
3. I am grateful for the public library. Saving money and providing resources all day, every day. 

For Saturday, 10/21:
1. I am grateful for all the terrific vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Portland. Tried No Bones on Mississippi. In a word, Excellent.
2. I am grateful for enthusiastic experimentation in cocktails in Portland. It's always interesting, even if I'll never order it again. 
3. I am grateful for my beautifully designed stainless steel teapot and my stainless steel, insulated french coffee press. They were a gift from my brother and it really does make better coffee. 

Had a 3 day weekend so playing catch-up on logging in my gratitude. 
For Friday, 10/20:
1. I am grateful that my employer allows flex time which gives me a 3 day weekend every other week!
2. I am grateful for living in Portland Oregon, a wonderful small city with the amenities of a big city, the best of both worlds.
3. I am grateful for living in the United States, for all its considerable flaws, still amazing in so very many ways.

Today:
1. I am grateful for medical science and all the people who do that research. 
2. I am grateful for the increasing use of wind and solar power, it kinda really is our only hope.
3. I am grateful for whoever made the world a better place by figuring out baked goods, cookies especially. 

Today:
1. I am grateful for windshield wipers, a genius invention.
2. I am grateful for seat belts and air bags. Thankfully, I've never been in  serious auto accident, but I feel safer knowing they are there. Psychologically, I cannot ride in a car without my seat belt fastened.
3. I am grateful for my all electric Smart car, it is quiet, no emissions, inexpensive to charge, fun to drive, and I never have to add smelly oil and gas.

Today:
1. I am grateful for hot soup served to me with a smile at the local deli. 
2. I am grateful for flannel sheets, clean and warm from the dryer.
3. I am grateful for fuzzy slippers sturdy enough to also wear out in the yard.