Ten things for which I have been thankful over this past week:

1. Writing: I actually posted every day. I hope I didn’t just jinx myself.
2. Pensée of the day: “People are generally better persuaded by the reasons which they have themselves discovered than by those which have come into the mind of others.” (Blaise Pascal) I read it this morning and was so appropriate for a situation I’m dealing with. I could attempt to strong-arm, but I’ll wait for the other person to arrive at the correct conclusion.
3. Aiden — I was delighted to get to know one of my newer co-workers. He’s a young man, roughly the same age as my youngest child, with a shy smile and a desire to learn. The circumstances that broke the ice between us were less than desirable — I was called in to work on Sunday morning because of trouble they were having with the computers — but I can honestly say that I’m glad it happened. Yesterday, as I was leaving, Aiden said to me, “I’m sorry if I bother you with too many questions.” “You can never ask too many questions,” I told him. I think we’re going to get along well.
4. Jean Johnson died last Sunday. I knew her from the 8 AM service I usually attend, but, I have to confess, I didn’t really know her. I’ve spent time this week working on her funeral bulletin and getting to know her posthumously. I wish I had made the effort earlier.
5. Tissue; So Close but Out of Reach — a tanka submission for the W3 challenge that made me laugh. Funny, clever, true.
6. A new swim friend — A week or two ago I sold a membership to a young man who I assumed was like 97.6% of the young men who join, wanting to head straight to the weights. Instead, I saw him in the pool. Between you and me, he’s a pretty terrible swimmer. I’ve ended up swimming in the lane next to him and I try not to judge. One day this week, I had stopped to put my fins on and he was resting in the next lane over, when he initiated a conversation with me. “You’re a good swimmer,” he said. “I’ve been doing it for about a hundred years,” I replied. “How do I get better?” he asked. I gave him a few tips which he immediately tried. Now, whenever I see him in the pool he gives me a big smile and wave and shows me his stroke. He has a great smile; someday, maybe he’ll have a great freestyle, too.
7. Snow. It’s pretty. It’s just awfully cold.
8. My messy desk. Albert Einstein said, “If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” My mind is far from empty.
9. Ham and Scalloped Potatoes. I dug out my recipe and made some this week. They were delicious.
10. A chance encounter with Annie Halvorsen, an old friend whose art I LOVE! I had gone out to eat and walked past her on my way out. I did a double-take, said hello, and had a lovely conversation with her.