Thursday is Thanksgiving in the United States and it’s time for my annual tradition of making a “Thanksgiving ABC’s” list. I maintain a gratitude practice every day, but I still love doing this list every year. Some of the items repeat year after year, others are new. Here’s this year’s list:
A: Allegra
B: Baking. I’m looking forward to starting my holiday baking this week.
C: Cape May. I was lucky enough to spend a few days there last month. This beautiful town has my heart.
D: Dancing. I’m not the most coordinated person on the planet, but I do love dancing in the privacy of my own home. It’s an instant mood lifter!
E: Eating out. I’m still not comfortable with indoor dining, but I took advantage of the warmer months and enjoyed meals at many of my favorite restaurant patios.
F: Friends.
G: Gingerbread. But not just any gingerbread, it has to be the German kind.
H: Health
I: The Internet. Because really, could you even imagine life without it?
J: Joy
K: Kindness
L: Laundry. Yes, I actually enjoy doing laundry. There’s something zen to me about folding laundry. Bonus: Allegra loves to play in the laundry basket.
M: Meditation – it’s been a lifesaver most of my life, but especially during these trying times.
N: Netflix. So much good stuff to watch!
O: Oranges (and Clementines.) I’m obsessed with citrus fruit in the winter months and add them to my salads almost every day.
P: Purrs. If there’s a more soothing sound in the world, I don’t know what it is.
Q: Quark. Q is always a challenge in this exercise, so when in doubt, I turn to food! Quark is a lovely creamy dairy product that is hard to find here in the US. I grew up eating it practically every day, and I miss it. Greek yogurt comes close, but it’s not the same thing.
R: Ruby – for the love and light she brought into my life for nine years. I miss you so much, baby girl.
S: Schellea Fowler and her series of short workouts on her fabulous50s Youtube channel. Working out has never been this much fun for me. Best of all: Allegra loves to “help” me work out.
T: Torties!
U: Uplifting books, TV shows and movies. Now more than ever.
V: Veterinarians and veterinary staff, for all they do to make cats’ lives better. An extra thank you for working under incredibly stressful conditions these last three years.
W: Women’s Meditation Network – a repeat from the last two years. I discovered Katie Krimitsos in March of 2020, and have been doing at least one of her meditations every single day.
X: X-mas. Even though I’m not crazy about this abbreviation of Christmas, I can never think of anything else that starts with X, and I do love Christmas.
Y: You, our Purrs of Wisdom readers. Thank you for reading, commenting and sharing. We’re so grateful you’re part of our community.
Z: Zen – a state I strive for, but rarely achieve.
What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving?
Image Depositphotos
Quark Käsekuchen…. yum!
https://www.craftycookingmama.com/kasekuchen-quark-german-style-cheesecake/
Definitely!
Love this. Have a nice Thanksgiving.
A beautiful list. I will need to make mine up too. So many things to be grateful for. Thanks for reminding us not to take things for granted.
One thing I forgot is all of the animal rescues, charities, shelters that have saved so many animals. It has been very hard on them these past several years with corvid, and inflation.
Great list of some wonderful things. My list is a little different. I am thankful for all of the pets i have had in my life, especially my pony, Real Gusto, my dogs Blackie when I was a child, Rose, Evie, Tressa and Harley. My vet and the staff, the people that supported me during the hard times in my life. Being able to put food on the table for my dogs and myself. I can’t say I am thrilled with social media because of all of the mean things said and spammers, however, I am grateful for all of the people and friends I have met.
I always say I am going to do a list like this and then I forget. This year I am really going to do it.