Each week (I aim for Thursday), I’ll use this space to list five things (items, experiences, people, whatever) for which I’ve been recently grateful. Consider it my “blessings count”. Ann Voskamp’s famous challenge to list 1000 gifts seemed daunting — I’m committing to 500, a task which will take me two years of weekly posts to complete!

I missed it by a day this week, but gratitude is a timeless thing, isn’t it?!

1)  Extermination
When spring finally arrived, I found that our yard had a small population of voles (field mice) that had moved in from the grassy area one house away from ours. I hated this. Two repeatedly used traps and several poison pouches later, I’ve not seen a critter in two weeks now. That makes me happy. Dare I exhale?

2) Dirt
Yesterday we dug out a small tree stump, cleaned out old plants and rototilled. There’s something wonderful about soil!

3)  Libraries
I’m sitting in one of these special places right now. I’ve always loved the feel of these book-filled, still-social spaces. For me, they are welcoming and homey.

4)  Smoothies
Many a morning, I use our nuclear-powered blender to beat a pitcher full of fruits and vegetables into a smooth, yummy concoction. I’d been out of the routine lately, and this morning mixture tasted especially great. My stomach had grown fonder!

5) Leather
I’m sitting on a comfy leather chair at the moment. I’m not particularly partial to leather, but I’ve noticed a trend that many of the chairs I call cozy are covered in this material. I don’t need a coat, and I’m not bent on shoes. But leather is a winner for lounging!

YOUR TURN: Your input makes this post better!

• Did any of this week’s list especially strike a chord with you?
• What’s one thing you’re particularly grateful for this week?

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