For me, this is something other than thanks-giving. Its part of an annual exercise and self-discipline that includes revisiting what I set out to do a year ago and seeing what was accomplished and what remains to address. Other parts simply acknowledge joys and blessings. It rather dovetails into sending out the Christmas greetings, too.

In 2024, I’m especially grateful for:

1. Our home renovations. The transformation of our upstairs is a major quality-of-life improvement. And how, especially with three of us here now rather than just me.
2. Sitting beside our wood-burning stove on otherwise chilly mornings and evenings.
3. A steady supply of real tomatoes, once they started arriving in our raised beds in mid-August. Add to that gratitude that the local deer did not break down our chicken-wire fencing.
4. Scallops in season. (And local blueberries, cranberries, lobsters, and crab.)
5. My second week camping on the water, meaning a cruise on a historic schooner.
6. Events at the arts center. Concerts, plays, open mics, contradances and lectures, in addition to rehearsing and performing with Quoddy Voices.
7. My continuing appearances resulting from my book Quaking Dover. You can still find some of them online.
8. All the eagles I observed during the alewives’ run and additional encounters after. Always inspiring.
9. Using my passport. We do live right next to Canada, after all.
10. Learning to watch for the Northern Lights. And then photographing them with my phone.