July 8, 2008.

It has been a while since I've written here, but that doesn't mean I haven't been thankful. Thank you today for a good job to go to, a place to sit a night and write on my computer.

June 20, 2008.

Hi. Thank you for a job to go to tomorrow, finally.

June 17, 2008.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Thank you for the Lakers-Celtics game tonight. Hopefully me and the A-bomb can watch together in a bar or something.

June 16, 2008.

Hello, thank you for the Celtics party with Steve and Peter last night. They lost, but it was still good times, even though we were Guinness-less.

June 13, 2008.

Thank you for the hot bath today. I would post a picture to go along, but I don't have a panoramic lens.

June 7, 2008.

I have been neglecting my gratitude for a while because my life is extremely unstable right now. I am looking for a job and a place to live at the same time. But that is really no excuse. Thank you for a nice air conditioned house in this hotter-than-dick weather.

May 28, 2008.

Thank you for my health today. I will enjoy today.

May 27, 2008.

Thank you for being able to sit here in GG and watch Ari close.

May 26, 2008.

Thank you for the lay in the grass with Ari yesterday.

May 12, 2008.

Steve is thankful for talking to "one of the five hottest chicks" he's ever talked to in person.

May 9, 2008, again.

This was the nicest surprise I've gotten in a long while. It made my week. Thank you, Ari.

May 9, 2008.

Thank you for the ravioli dinner. Thank you for the rain, the warm sweater, the pillows on my bed that I'm laying on now.

May 7, 2008.

Thank you for the awesome night last night. We went to see Michael Ondaatje read, then to Buffalo Bill's for a drink.

May 4, 2008.

Ari and I watched The Graduate last night and enjoyed it very much. Thank you dearly.

May 1, 2008.

April 30, 2008.

Had a nice lunch with Steve at PB's yesterday, and he was only 9 minutes late. Thank you. Also, thank you for the crossword puzzles with Ari at Wegman's. It was awesome.
Thank you.

April 27, 2008.

Hi, thank you today for being able to see Arry, if only for half an hour. Thank you for the quesa-dila for dinner. Thank you for being able to talk to Mia on the phone.

April 26, 2008.

Hello, thank you for breakfast with Ari today, the phone call with Steve at night about how much he hates the courier.

April 24, 2008.

Thank you for the bike ride with Ari yesterday around Cooper River.

April 22, 2008.

Thank you for clean grass outside and not as much pollution as there could be.

April 20, 2008.

April 19, 2008.

I think I'll go read by the river this afternoon. Thank you for the nice weather.

April 18, 2008.

Thank you for the canoe ride yesterday. There is something enjoyable about taking someone out and showing her something that you love, especially when it's all new to her.

April 15, 2008.

Hi, thank you for Steve and Ari and Phil and Kelly and Mom and Peter. It's good to know that if one of these people dies, there will always be the others. Even if two or three die, there will still be three or four left. I can't imagine wanting to live in a world without these people.

April 10, 2008.

Thank you for the water behind this condo and the nice weather we're supposed to have today and the clean air that I can breathe.

April 9, 2008.

Thank you for decent weather today with no rain.

April 8, 2008.

Thank you for a toothbrush and mouthwash.

April 7, 2008.

Thank you for company last night.

April 5, 2008.

Thank you for my health today, not having the flu, being able to walk around and do things.

April 4, 2008.

Today I felt a bit better. I painted all day and went for a long walk/run at night. Thank you for the cool air at night all over my face.

April 3, 2008.

Thank you for milk this morning.

April 2, 2008.

Thank you for prayer.

April 1, 2008.

Thank you today for that time when me and Ari saw dinosaurs in the rain.

March 31, 2008.

Thank you for my family members.

March 30, 2008.

Thank you for the daily early morning calls from Kelly.

March 29, 2008.

Today was very stressful and annoying but I am thankful that I feel better, that I have some peace tonight.

March 28, 2008.

The air outside was so nice today. I took the trash out just to walk in it. Thank you.

March 27, 2008.

March 26, 2008.

March 25, 2008.

March 23, 2008. Easter.

Thank you for being able to spend Easter with my family. I'm thankful that we can hide eggs for the kids and watch them find them. For the Easter bread and the lasagna, and the nice day today.

March 22, 2008.

Thanks for this couch to sleep on and all the blankets.

March 19, 2008.

This picture speaks for itself.

March 16, 2008.

Thank you today for Ari and Steve coming over. There is a soft couch and a leak-proof roof. This is my third or fourth night staying at Dad's. I am glad to not be alone.

March 13, 2008.

I would taken the shot before I ate this upside-down cone head, but I was too excited. Thank you for this reversion to childhood.

March 12, 2008.

I took this shot on Saturday. Dad loved to sit on the porch while it was raining, but he wasn't able to on this day. I was, though, and for this simple pleasure I am so thankful.

March 10, 2008.

Today I'm thankful for my clean health, my ability to walk and run and jump, my presence of mind.

March 8, 2008.

Today I am thankful that I was lucky enough to have had you as my father. I am thankful that you are now living in peace and no longer in pain. Thankful for the sedation holiday that let us talk to you for that brief moment, and thankful that you raised your eyebrows to let me know you were OK. Thank you for all the memories, and thank you especially for the wisdom you imparted on me during those final hours yesterday in the ICU.

March 5, 2008.

I am extremely glad to be awake today.

March 4, 2008.

Today the weather was warm and breezy, almost like summer. I could go outside and breathe and not cough. I took a shower tonight with hot water. I have a warm place to sleep. I saw Mia and the kids. Thank you.

March 3, 2008.

Today I am thankful for:

1. A sister that loves me to death.
2. A mother that loves me to death.
3. A friend named Steve.
4. A woman named Ari.
5. A house to sleep in.

March 2, 2008.

Thank you for a place to live during this time of craze. For a kitchen to eat breakfast in, for the warmth of the furnace. Thank you for the furry hat.

February 29, 2008.

The world is a flaring meteor of chaos, but today I have full use of my arms and hands and fingers, no arthritis, no pain, no nothing. I can pick things up, I can type, I can open doors simply by turning the knob. Praise the lord for this.

February 27, 2008.

I have to move to Dad's today. Thank you for yet another place to stay. I don't know if it's safe, but it should at least be warm. Thank you.

February 25, 2008.

Slept at Granny's last night. Thank you for the warm bed and breakfast this morning. Thank you for my vision, my hearing, my sight.

February 23, 2008.

Thank you for a healthy liver, good kidneys, good parts inside me.


Thank you for a healthy liver, good kidneys, good parts inside me.

February 22, 2008.

There are 5 inches of snow outside, but I have these insulated duck boots. Thank you.


There are 5 inches of snow outside, but I have these insulated duck boots. Thank you.

February 21, 2008.

Lord, it's below freezing outside, but I am warm inside, with electricity and light switches. Thank you.

February 20, 2008.

Thank you for the movie store and the ability to watch a movie with someone in a safe, quiet place.

February 18, 2008.

Thank you for:

- Lunch
- Enough money to take the speedline into Philly
- The health of all my family and friends (besides Dad)

February 17, 2008.

Thank you today for:

- Heat
- Warm pillows
- A house
- Friends
- Food

February 14, 2008.

Thank you for mac and cheese and carrots.

February 13, 2008.

Thank you for clean joints that don't squeak and ache.

February 11, 2008.

Thank you for heat!

February 10, 2008.

Thank you for not being alone last night.

February 9, 2008.

Thank you for the hug with Ari last night, and thank you for what she said to me. Thank you for the bath last night, and for the Lucky Charms this morning.

February 8, 2008.

Thank you for the bed last night and warm down comforter. And the pillows. And the quiet and the peace.

February 7, 2008.

Today I'm thankful for pleasant weather and no tornadoes.

February 6, 2008.

Thank you for being able to see Dad alive today.

February 5, 2008.

Thank you today for peace of mind, again, for a warm, safe place to write this morning.

February 4, 2008.

Thanks for being able to eat and keep it down and not having to throw it up. Thank you.

February 3, 2008.

Thank you the clarity and wisdom this morning to slow down and be thankful for something. Everyday I feel like I get up, whirled into tornado where everything is go go go. Thank you for peace of mind, for clarity.

Also, thanks for the visit from Steve last night.

February 2, 2008.

Thank you for the opportunity to write this afternoon.

February 1, 2008.

Hi. Today I am grateful for the coffee and the peace and quiet this morning.

January 31, 2008.

Today I am thankful for the hugs with Ari.

January 30, 2008.

Thank you for the health of all my family members (barring Dad). Thank you for their happiness, their coherency, their competence. Thank you lordie.

January 29, 2008.

I am grateful for Life cereal.

January 28, 2008.

Thank you for my safety today, my health, my family, friends, and wealth.

January 27, 2008.

Thank you for:

1. Such a safe, warm bed/room to wake up in.
2. My health. The lack of cancer, disease, a runny nose, bruised skin. Thank you for my ability to digest food.
3. Dinner that Mom is bringing home tonight.

January 25, 2008.

Today I am thankful for:

1. The warm bed in which I woke.
2. The peace and quiet I have this morning.
3. Sobriety.
4. Life cereal for breakfast.
5. Ice cold milk, plenty of it.

January 24, 2008.

Today I am grateful for a safe return home from Costa Rica, a warm house to live in, food in the fridge. Safety. A chance to see Dad. I am so lucky. Thank you.

January 14, 2008.

Today I am immensely thankful for the hostel we stayed at in Alejuela, CR. It was safe and warm and beautiful. Thank you.

January 9, 2008.

Thank you for my life. Oh lordie. Thank you.

January 8, 2008.

Thank you for:

1. Milk
2. Ari staying over last night
3. Pizza for dinner last night
4. The lack of missiles and bombs exploding in my neighborhood

January 5, 2008.

Sometimes I get so tense, but I can't speed up the time. Thank you for ice cold water, oatmeal, and my ability to write this morning--the laptop, the Notepad program, the coherency in my brain. Thank you for the peaceful quiet.

January 4, 2008.

Today I am going to concentrate on being thankful for my health. My dad has lost a lot of weight in the hospital. He throws up whatever he eats, it's hard for him to pee, hard to even talk on the phone. Thank you for my health. Thank you for my ability to go to the bathroom, to eat and drink, to nourish myself, to exist without pain. Oh God thank you.

January 3, 2008.

Hi. Today I am grateful for five things:

1. The cheese and mushroom stromboli for dinner.
2. Ari, as a friend.
3. This house with heat.
4. The opportunity to go to Costa Rica.
5. The ability to feel bad in the face of all that I have.

January 2, 2008.

Today I am thankful for:

1. Oatmeal for breakfast
2. A place to live from Jan. 3 to the 13th.

January 1, 2008.

December 31, 2007.

Thank you dearly for a dear friend named Steve.

December 30, 2007.

It's so cold and damp outside, but I am warm inside a coffee shop. Thank you. I'm also thankful for:

1. Dinner tonight
2. Being happy today
3. The feeling I had last night lying in bed, like the world is good
4. Poetry

December 29, 2007.

Today I am thankful for the coffee shop down the street. It's safe and dry and they play all kinds of great music.

December 28, 2007.

Oh man what a beautiful day. Today I am thankful for:

1. The bed in which I woke up.
2. The shower from which I just removed myself.
3. The breakfast at the diner (French toast and hash browns).

Oh Lordie thank you.

December 27, 2007.

December 26, 2007.

This picture speaks for itself.

December 25, 2007.

I had two people call me this morning to wish me merry Christmas. Mom and Kelly. I think about all those people who have no one to call them, and all those people who don't even have a phone on which to be called. Oh Lordie thank you. Then tonight I get to go over to Granny's house to eat the Christmas Feast. Oh Jesus thank you.

December 24, 2007.

Oh man. Today. I am incredibly lucky to have a 24-hour pharmacy down the street called Walgreens that serves up Plan B hot over the counter. Oh lordie thank God. Why is he always so good.

December 23, 2007.

December 22, 2007.

December 21, 2007.

Oh Jesus Lordie, thank the good heavens for pancakes. I woke up this morning and inhaled these buttermilk babies called pancakes. Some day I will be in a place with no such thing.

December 20, 2007.

Today I am grateful for:

-The egg and pepper sandwich for lunch
-Ella's safe return
-National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
-Rocco the Elephant

December 19, 2007.

There is a coffee shop around the corner for which I am enormously thankful. In picture is a little Jewish girl named Ari. Thank you Lordie for this experience last night. Thank you for the opportunity to go into town, into the coffee shop.

December 18, 2007.

Today I am immensely grateful for the pancakes I had for breakfast. Fresh milk. Yellow bananas. Oh lord it was lovey dovey. Thank you Jesus.

December 17, 2007.

Ari and I stole bowling shoes last night. What a beautiful day. Thank you Lordie for the memory.

December 16, 2007.

Today I woke up in the most comfortable, driest bed imaginable. It was beautiful. Thank you so much.

December 15, 2007.

Oh Lordie, thank you for a place out of the wind, a shelter from the cold, a calm and quiet place to sit and read and write. Thank you.

December 14, 2007.

Today I am thankful for Kelly, my sister. I'm glad she calls me all the time, glad she wants me to come over, glad she keeps calling until I answer. Sometimes it is a bit much, but today I am eternally grateful for it.

December 13, 2007.

Went out with Ari last night to a place in Philly. I had the rabbit, she the tenderloin. Then we went to Buffalo Bill's. How beautiful. Thank you.

December 12, 2007.

Little Jackie playing manger. How beautiful to see him acquainting himself with the Christmas fabrications. Thank you Lordie for this experience I had last night.

December 11, 2007.

Yesterday Ari and I went to the Japanese place for dinner. It was awesome. Thank you.

December 10, 2007.

Had dinner yesterday with the kids and the family. How amazing this was. For this memory I am eternally grateful.

December 9, 2007.

Starting to feel a bit guilty, all this good fortune heaped upon me. Today I'm supposed to go over Peter's to watch the kids decorated the tree. How beautiful. Thank you.

December 8, 2007.

Behold the power of snow. We got our first frosting the other day, and for this I am thankful. How many more times in my life will I see snow? It seems countless, but really it's only a small, finite number. Thank you Lordie.

December 7, 2007.

Me and Ari went into town for burgers and beers last night. Good food, good drink, good talk. A beautiful night, thank you Lordie. Today I have Raisin Bran and fresh, cold milk to eat for breakfast. Thank you again, Lordie. Also: Christmas music at my fingertips, a flood of childhood dreams, eternal gratitude.

December 6, 2007.

Lordie Lordie, I ate lunch at the Chinese place with Jeoleo yesterday, how beautiful it was. For this I am eternally grateful. Below is the gracious cook who made our life-sustaining food. Thank you Lordie.

December 5, 2007.

I had hash browns with Jess this morning. They were extremely good. I doused them in ketchup, ouu Lord they were lovey dovey. I have more left in the freezer, too. I can have them tomorrow and the next day and the next if I want. This is amazing! It has nothing to do with the picture, but Amen anyway.

December 4, 2007.

Yesterday I bought Bugles--something I haven't had in maybe 17 years. In other words, since childhood. A memory came back to me after putting them on my fingers like this, a memory of family vacation at the Pocono's in the Murray's house. We had just arrived there, and Kelly broke open the Bugles and put them on her fingers. Thank you Lordie for this beautiful memory and for these delicious-tasting cones called Bugles.