Dear Gratitude Journal  :

I’m grateful the markets reacted well to the election. Regardless of how you voted, everyone reacts well to political stability. I’m grateful my friends came to visit this week. It’s been fun having company, and I’m so grateful to have a house large enough to accommodate others. And, I’m grateful for leftovers. They are inevitably better than the original meal. The end.

The end.

Dear Gratitude Journal  :

I think Jimmy Kimmel captured the collective energy when he joked that this Election Eve feels like the country is waiting on a pathology report! I couldn’t agree more. Whatever the outcome, I’m grateful for democracy. I’m grateful that every single thing I needed at Costco was on sale today. Even I was amazed by the serendipity. And, I’m grateful that despite some low-level anxiety, I feel zero need for carb soothing…but I did see a LOT of pizzas headed out of Costco tonight, and I will say that I have no judgement. The end.

Dear Gratitude Journal :

Even the a-political have some trepidation this election eve. I’m grateful we have elections, and that we have enough people and infrastructure in place to ensure voting is fair. I’m grateful it’s easier to vote than it used to be. Voting by mail is good, so is having polling places open early. And, I’m grateful I live in California. I have more rights, and am more protected here than anyplace else on Earth. I’m happy to pay my taxes for that.

The end.

Dear Gratitude Journal :

I’m grateful for the AAA driver who was able to swap out the battery in my truck, which is older than he is. I’m grateful I walk a lot of hills. You never know when you’re going to need to walk home. And I’m grateful for those little fingerling potatoes.

The end.

Dear Gratitude Journal :

I spent a good part of this weekend getting the house winter ready. I’m grateful for the petro-chemical industry as things like Dawn, Easy-Off, Scrub Daddies make things a lot easier. When I was a kid, all we had was Brillo and Comet. I’m grateful for the warmer-than-average weather. Having the doors open to the breeze and sunshine has helped me to fall in love with California all over again. And, I’m grateful I’ve finally accepted that hard things aren’t always bad just as easy things aren’t always good. They should probably teach that in high school.

The end.

Dear Gratitude Journal  :

It’s been a long, hot summer, and even though it’s warmer than usual, I’m so grateful for the clear, cool evenings. I feel life, and my love of California, renewed. I’m grateful I believe that rejection is protection. (I feel a little divinely protected these days :/) And, I’m grateful for paint.

The end.

Dear Gratitude Journal :

I’m grateful I don’t live in hurricane country. Fires and earthquakes are bad enough. Floods are biblical. I’m grateful to be excused from jury duty. I’m not opposed to serving, but not on that case. And, I’m grateful that the problem with my AC is more of repair than a replace, and even more grateful it’s the end of summer, not the start.

The end.

Dear Gratitude Journal :

With a few days of cooler temperatures, I feel lighter, more relaxed and even a little more optimistic. I’m grateful for that. I’m grateful for screen doors. And, I’m grateful the wildfires are slowly being contained. You can easily forget how much open space we have.

The end.

Dear Gratitude Journal :

It seems like everyone is upbeat today. The perfect 72° weather has returned, the fires are more contained, and it’s Friday. Im grateful for all those things. I’m grateful for dairy-free options. And, I’m grateful for lentils. They are tasty and expeditious.

The end.

Dear Gratitude Journal  :

I walked outside this morning to a smoggy sky and the smell of smoke. I was grateful to know that I’m safe even though fires are all around. I’m grateful for all the people who are fighting these fires. It’s difficult and dangerous work. And, although it’s not popular, I’m grateful to everyone who pays their taxes.

The end.