17. Winter weather in Austin is something to be thankful for. I grew up in a lot of snow. Multiple feet of snow. We loved it. But I’ve grown to really deeply appreciate this kind of winter, too. Perfect running weather. Perfect jump-on-the-tramp weather. Perfect chilly-in-the-morning and gorgeous-by-noon weather. Grab-a-sweatshirt-and-that’ll-do-it weather. Thankful for that…

18. We got lucky in the neighbor department. Our street is full of little kids, but also retirees and widows, single folks, empty nesters. And we all mix and mingle — often actually in the street. And there is a flow of loaners and hand-me-downs, favors and stories. Everyone genuinely likes each other, and likes each other’s pets (even our maladjusted second cat), and likes each other Christmas lights. It’s a great comfort to know that so many people in one small little block have your back.

19. I am grateful for good books. Currently, Jonathan Franzen’s Freedom, but I couldn’t even begin to narrow the list of the zillion-and-one reading pleasures I’ve experienced in my life — on my own, shared with my mom and dad when I was a kid, and shared with my own kids now. (Currently, Charles and Emma by Deborah Heiligman). OK, so I fall asleep with my face in the pages sometimes, but the authors shouldn’t take it personally. There are days when a good book is the high point. Heck, there are days when a good book is the WHOLE point…

20. And since gal cannot live on books alone, I am deeply grateful to my children for being my technology gurus, even if they do download annoying ringtones, wallpapers and inappropriate bodily function apps. The crazy laughter diffuses my mood and prevents me from hurling phones and laptops off a bridge. Thanks, girls 🙂

Happy Monday, friends…