I appreciate:

• The fresh smell of newly cut grass. Mmmmmmm.
• Knowing so many amazing indie musicians. Today’s soundtrack courtesy of Connor Garvey.
• My office buddies, cheering me on!

I appreciate:

• Unexpected connections between people from different times in my life. I always find this so delightful!
• The chance to see some of the Avalon senior presentations (including Mckenzie’s) today. Hearing what these kids do in their 300-hour projects is truly awesome (in the original sense of the word) and inspiring.
• Avalon charter school It has been such a big, wonderful part of our lives for the past 8 years. It’s hard to believe we won’t have a student there after June…

I appreciate:

• The fabulously fresh smell after it rains.
• My great, good fortune in having such a brilliant array of amazing friends – and even better – the chance to spend time with both Burcin and Kari in one day! I really am one of the luckiest people on the planet.
• The moment of relief I feel when I settle back into my “real” self – the one who can accept that things are as they are and that all will be well.

I appreciate:

• A good thunderstorm and a nice drenching rain.
• Newly sharpened knives. They work so much better this way!
• The process of learning how I do things (to use in improv). How DO I hold a spoon, open a cupboard, pour a glass of wine? It’s so interesting (and harder than I expected) to try to recreate these actions without the actual objects!
• Oh, plus I am deeply, deeply grateful for good friends. Especially when they bring the most beautiful child in the universe with them and write a song for us on the way over!!

I appreciate:

• My massive pile of pillows and my comfy couch.
• Knowing that really, really good days are ahead.
• My heroic hubby, Patrick Boyle, driving me around, running errands I’d planned to run, taking care of the house, and still, somehow, being pleased that I’m just hanging out on the couch instead of helping.

I appreciate:

• Knowing that if I keep looking for things to appreciate and for good-feeling thoughts I’ll eventually find them.
• Having kids whom I not only love, but also genuinely like and admire — and who are even willing to hang out with me, still.
• The casio calculator I’ve had since high school. I know I’ve appreciated it before, but it’s on my desk and I’m appreciating it again. I like the way it reminds me of high school math (which I loved) and gives me a sense of connection from that version of me to today’s version.

I appreciate:

• Unexpected kindness.
• The way actually getting something done (even if it wasn’t on my list, even at the end of a frustrating day) makes me feel better. So glad Mckenzie & I got the leaves raked up and the grass seed down last night. Even planted the basil and cilantro!
• Having a clean car.

I appreciate:

• That despite only 4 hours of sleep last night, and chemo this morning (5 hours), I still managed to take care of 14 things in my action folder today…. And even better – now it’s time for a nap! 🙂
• The perfectly perfect weather today: sunny, warm (not hot), no snow, and birds singing everywhere. Plus the awesome breeze blowing in my window.
• The beautiful ways Minneapolis is celebrating Marriage Equality. Rainbows everywhere!

I appreciate:

• Having marriage equality in MN.  Hooray!
• Watching talented musicians who truly love what they do. What an awesome show tonight! Seeing Ty & Ingrid play was sooooooooo worth staying up late for.
• Getting to see how Ingrid’s folding bass works. Um, cool!
• That my hubby did the dishes for me while I was gone so I didn’t have to do them when I got home. Late. My hero!

I appreciate:

• That I’m remembering to do this near the beginning of the day. My day always goes better when I remind my brain to look for good stuff.
• Feeling a little better… could feeling great be in my future?!
• The weird sense of happiness I got from turning in a glasses case (left outside on a table at Sister Kenny) to the lost and found. Maybe the person who left it behind doesn’t even care about it, but I feel better.
• The funny, strange excitement of the bird flying so close to my head twice this morning. I moved, thinking maybe I was near its nest. Such a little bird, but it was so FAST and inches from my face!
• Today’s vote in the Senate. Can’t wait for the good news!!!