Sometimes I sit back in amazement at just how lucky I am. I am living what by all accounts would be a comfortable life, limited only by a lack of spendable funds here and there but enjoyable and happy regardless of my financial state of affairs.
I learned yesterday that I was declared the winner of a short story writing competition I entered last month, and that my prize – a new Dell Inspiron 1720 laptop – would be delivered to my home in less than a week. This is the laptop that writers dream about, or at least this one does since it will allow me to write anywhere, anytime and (provided I have a wireless access point available) I could conceivably work from just about anywhere as well. I’m not sure which aspect of this surprising information pleased me most; the fact that I am getting a new laptop or the fact that I am getting it for free.
It made me consider the situation in my writing room (or the vulgar term my well-meaning partner uses for it, ‘office’). I have a homemade L-shaped desk area that serves as home base for not one but two desktop systems (both with flat panel monitors that were given to us), a rather decrepit laptop that hasn’t been powered up in months, and two printers.
It has me thinking. I have a lot.
Last night as I was driving home J called to ask if I knew that an adorable rabbit had begun to enjoy my garden. A bit perplexed, I asked what he meant, only to have a play-by-play description of the beautiful adult rabbit he had just seen a few feet from my cucumber plants. I must be rubbing off on him at least a little, since he turned off his headlights and avoided pulling into the drive for a few minutes so he could watch nature, all while describing the scene to me as best he could. It was one of the moments that I can look back on fondly – that is, unless I have no cucumbers in a few weeks – even though I should probably have been concerned that the local wildlife are partaking of the fruits of my labors before I can.
Then I thought about it. I really do have a lot.
I’m growing more than enough cucumbers this year. J doesn’t even care for them and I will have plenty for salads, casual snacking and pickling even if Greyboy (the rabbit) decides he wants to visit again tonight. Even after something ate / dug up / pooped in and destroyed several of my heirloom tomato seedlings left out overnight for hardening, I still have a lot.
I have two heirloom tomato plants that are growing quite well in large containers on the front porch. I have a basement full of squash and zucchini plants that will be planted in the garden today after several weeks of tornado warnings (don’t worry, I’m not going to get on that topic today) and 1-2 inch rainfall in a few hours time threatened their fragile existence.
It reminds me of something a fellow blogger taught me a few years ago – the practice of being thankful and showing it. Therefore, for my inaugural “being thankful” post here at My Earth Garden, I present these seven things for which I am thankful this week:
1. Three dogs, a cat, a fresh pot of coffee and a partner sleeping in the next room (yes, at 1:30 in the afternoon).
The dogs each have their own individual insanities that only serve to make me love them more. Ditto that for the cat. And the sleeping partner for that matter. My morning coffee is a ritual that has been very intimate and personal to me for a long time. On Black Friday past, J and I waited outside a store at 6 am so that I could get a coffeemaker that grinds the coffee beans just before it brews my morning cup. Each of these brings me joy in so many ways.
2. Unexpected gifts (the laptop)
Not only is it exactly what I wanted for myself (but never would have bought), they even let me choose the color – spring green.
3. Heirloom tomato seeds
Anyone who knows me knows how much I love tomatoes, and heirloom tomatoes hold a very special place in my heart. Each little packet is carefully labeled with the names of varieties I have yet to even attempt to grow, but somehow the knowledge that they exist and they are within arms reach as I write this brings me a comfort that only a gardener could understand.
4. My partner’s mother and her apparent obsession with making sure that we never run low on toilet paper.
At least once a month like clockwork, she will make an unannounced stop by MEG HQ to leave a grocery bag full of coupons, clothes and inevitably a 12 roll package of toilet paper. I don’t know why, I have a lot.
5. Being paid to do what I love – write – and to be able to write about what I love.
Aside from My Earth Garden, which is my personal virtual playground, I am paid to write for several really wonderful websites on everything from being frugal to growing tomatoes, and I can’t help but to be thankful for the opportunity to share what I know. Much less being paid for it.
6. The photo of my grandmother that rests on a shelf just over my head, taken a couple of years before she died.
My grandmother was my best friend. In this photo she is in her typical house coat, standing in the kitchen with the aid of her walker, with one arm extended as though dancing. I remember the moment as though it was yesterday even though she has been gone for over a year now. She and I were eating homemade waffles – the one thing that only I could make the way she liked – and watching Lawrence Welk on PBS. To this day I can’t see that show on television without a few tears.
7. I have a car, but rarely have to drive.
I put $20 in my gas tank last night, which was the first time I have had to refuel in nearly two months. I work at home, my plants are here and so are my words, so aside from the periodic trip to the supermarket I don’t have the need to get out much.
What are you thankful for today? I hope this post encourages you to think about that, and about how much you have.
I bet you have a lot, too.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
What a lovely blog entry. Thanks for writing it. Made me teary and made me remember everything I have too.
Congratulations on the short story contest!
It always helps to be thankful, especially when we think things are going bad. It is easy to be thankful at Thanksgiving, unless you’re a turkey!
Michael, this is beautiful! I’m going to send the link out to a bunch of friends who also love being able to say “I have a lot”. I love your writing and this piece is going into my Rainy Day file. Thank you.
Cindy (from Urban Casual)
I love to read posts like this, because, I think, sometimes in the daily hustle and bustle of our lives it’s easy to forget how fortunate most of us are. I hear so much these days about all of the things that are “getting too expensive” and all of the things we’re likely to have to “give up” in the near future, but those things you mentioned – those things you’re thankful for, you’ll still have … well, except maybe your car, but since you don’t drive all that much anyway, maybe it’s not something you’d miss ;).
I have an amazing life, and I’m thankful daily for my husband, our children, our home, my gardens, and my job, which I also do from home ;).
Thanks, again, for the wonderful sentiments. It’s good to be thankful, and to remember that life IS good. It is ;).