Gratitude
Simple things that get me through the holidays
Hello Friends,
I’m finding it hard to believe next week is Thanksgiving. I know we all say it every year, but this year has really flown by. The older we get, the faster it goes.
We are hosting 22 people in our humble home for Thanksgiving. One of whom is my grandmother, now successfully moved in down the street.
As I’ve been remiss in my interactive correspondence as of late, hopefully you will continue to extend the same grace you always do. To that end, a brief gratitude list in advance of the holiday next week.
I realize for some Thanksgiving is not very holiday-y, but for my family, it’s a designated excuse to spend time together, to laugh, for me to have at least one meltdown, and of course, to eat food with reckless abandon.
So, without further ado, ten things I find myself grateful for right now.
Grown up cashiers. Thank you for packing my groceries, making eye contact, and most importantly, not judging me because I can’t find the barcode in the app.
I am grateful for the random dogs who wink at me. I am convinced we’re speaking in code. I got you, little buddy.
A clearly marked unsubscribe button in emails. Please, I beg of you, stop emailing me. I’ve been deleting you for seventeen years. We’re done here.
The Tupperware with the matching lid. I think we all understand that one.
Anyone who does the thing they say they’ll do. That’s it. Just do the thing. I’m here waiting on pins and needles.
Early package arrival. As a notoriously late shipper of things, I strive to be this efficient. For some reason, things I used to think I was fairly good at, I realize my husband is better, (packing boxes included). In my opinion, it feels like the person most qualified should do whatever the thing is. Unfortunately for him, he’s better at the majority of stuff. This is not self deprecation, it’s he has more patience than I do and therefore, thinks all the way through things.
I am grateful I do not think things all the way through. Otherwise, I would never get ANYTHING done, because when I start to wonder if things will work, I’d probably talk myself out of most of it. My life would not be what it is if I let my brain do what it was designed for. As Monk would say, “it’s a blessing and a curse.”
A good stretch. This year, my yoga practice has not been what it usually is, but I try to stretch every day, even for a few minutes. That big stretch where you realize you are now two inches taller, that’s the good stuff.
Clean sheets. There’s nothing like prepping and cleaning and logistics and all the things that go into life and this time of year like ending the day sliding into crisp, clean sheets.
You, dear readers. I am grateful for you. For your commentary, shares, kind words, thoughtful debates, your opinions and ideas.
What I am reading:
THE PROVING GROUND, by Michael Connelly. I tend to read Connelly as my comfort read. Admittedly, I prefer the Bosch books, but it’s nothing to do with quality of story or writing. This book is focused on a lawsuit where a teenage male murders a teenage female because his AI girlfriend encouraged him to do so. While it seems absolutely bug shit crazy, I am once again grateful none of this existed when I was younger. If your brain is still cooking, you shouldn’t be allowed to make decisions about anything. I hope parents can legally shove their kids into bubbles soon until they’re 25.
Speaking of crazy, check out this article: Sales of AI-enabled teddy bear suspended after it gave advice on BDSM sex and where to find knives.
What I am watching:
Landman. Still excellent in this new season, one episode in. I don’t want to gush, though deserved, so just watch it.
Down Cemetery Road. This one I almost abandoned in episode one. It had some weird character moments that were hokey, off-putting, and really took you out of the story. I’m glad I stuck with it because it got there, though wobbly at the knees. Emma Thompson is fantastic, and her performance alone is worth pushing through the less than desirable moments. It’s from Mick Herron, author of the books Slow Horses is based on, so that also helped to sway me to stay. It’s not as good as Slow Horses, but it wants to be.
This morning, I read Owen King’s Substack, which inspired this one, and he included a link to FeedingAmerica.org. Therefore, I’m doing the same. (Feeding America is 99% on charity navigator.)
As for my donation though, I tend to keep it local-local. I either adopt a family every year, Vromans and WalMart both have trees up with families already, and/or, purchase the pre-packed food bags at the grocery store that goes to families.
It’s not exactly a great time for most folks, so remember, even just an extra act of kindness can go a long way right now. I try to remember that when I’m ready to choose violence, especially for those who enter in the exit, and exit through the entrance.
Okay friends, have a wonderful, safe holiday. Eat what makes you happy, spend time with those that lift your soul. And try very hard not to yell at anyone.
-Kasey
Photo below was 2018 in Chicago. J and I slipped away to SoHo house, just the two of us and had a nice, quiet Thanksgiving. I anticipate no such thing this year. :)
The part about people doing what they say resonats so much. It seems like such a simple thing but its become rare. And yes to clean sheets, honestly one of lifes underrated pleasures that we take for granted til we really think about it.