I’m not sure I like the whole bullet list of gratitudes format.  It feels forced like I’m making a grocery list.  Something to check off without really thinking about it.

I am thankful for a lot of things this week. They all kind of flow together though.  The weather has been cool so I’ve been cycling more.  In cycling more, I’m riding farther and the group ride I do was a lot easier than it has been in the past.  I know the weather makes a huge difference but I hope that I’m getting fitter as well.  

Some of my cyclist friends are also artists. One is curating the Free Little Art Gallery in Edmond, and another artist friend (not a cyclist) visited a second Free Little Art Gallery in our city.  It’s rather close to my house, so I rode my bike to visit it with the intention of dropping off an Artist Trading Card. I forgot the card but discovered a Little Free Library nearby too. 

I wanted to add some miles to my ride so I stopped by a geocache, which was my 500th find. With that and my 21 mile ride on the weekend, I’ve been able to mark off 2 of my goals for 2021. I had forgotten I made goals when I got a paper planner for the year. It’s been interesting revisiting them.

Community has been a theme for the week and I’m thankful for my artist book club group.  One of our group will be moving to Italy so we had a small feast and discussed the chapter of The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp we’re on, enjoying her company before her grand adventure.   I was anxious that it would be a rather somber gathering, but we’re all excited about her move. “My friend in Italy” has a nice ring to it.

What are you thankful for this week?

This week I read that the only thing we should be thankful for is being connected to all things.  I’m trying to remember that but it’s nice to notice the little things.

• I am thankful for the butterfly I noticed on a flower in my front garden
• I am thankful for the basil harvested to make pesto
• I am thankful for encouraging cycling friends
• I am thankful for noticing challenges and approaching them differently
• I am thankful for cycles of activity and rest

In brainstorming ideas for posting, I remembered that a group I was in (Way back on iVillage) would post Thankful Thursdays.   I vaguely remember starting that tradition on my blog but time got away from me, as it does, and I didn’t keep with the posts.

Today is Thursday, so what better time than to return to it.

• I am thankful for being able to begin again.
• I am thankful for quiet office spaces.
• I am thankful for free birthday sandwiches.
• I am thankful for deep breaths.
• I am thankful for the courage to try new things.