I’m feeling very blessed and find it necessary to speak out about it. For as much complaining as I sometimes do (be it internally or externally) and as frustrated as I am by so many things in this world, I have a pretty charmed life. I can assure you that this is in no way a complete list of all the things that lead me to be qualified as blessed, but I’m trying.

I live in a beautiful house (with air conditioning), on the river, in the Pacific Northwest, free of rent, with my Grandmother. I – for the most part – have free reign over at least ¼ of an acre of the property to grow whatever vegetables, flowers and herbs I so desire (so long as they’re legal). I have fresh, running water to feed and wash my own body and the plants and animals that I take care of. I get to play in the dirt every day if I so choose, and most of the days I do so I even get paid for it. I am grateful to actually have a job. On top of that, I work for a “boss” that is one of the most phenomenal, kind, hilarious, centered, generous, caring, patient, brilliant, talented, creative, organized, fun and amazing women I’ve ever met and I also get to call her my friend. Almost every day I work for her I am treated to an incredibly fresh and delicious and beautiful lunch with entertaining and lovely (and almost always hilarious) conversation. I get to hang out with two dear boys named Gus and Tesla and scratch behind their ears and possibly get licked in return. I have so many incredible friends and family in my life and even though I am far away from many of them, I still get to talk with most of them on a regular basis. I have a beautiful and patient and caring and generous family, which includes more than just my fabulous Mamabear, Papabear and the Reverend Tel.

I am privileged and fortunate enough to have the means and the time to grow my own food and a place to prepare it. Even if the oven doesn’t always work or some of the burners are no longer functioning, I still have a place to cook!

This Wednesday I am blessed to be attending a special Harvest Dinner at Lapellah in Vancouver. I am being treated to a reservation at this special dinner by the fabulous Aunt Dusty and Uncle Larry – who I also get to see at work on a regular basis. They are part of the April Jones family and damnit if all of the Joneses aren’t just the cat’s meow.

I recently got to spend time with my best Lisa and her awesome boyfriend Greg – even if it was a short time it was a good time. We met in the middle (Centralia) and had a lovely morning at the Country Cousin and Fort Borst Park. Saturday night I got to spend the evening at a BBQ with some friends in Portland whom I’ve not seen for a while – dear Gretchen and Jerrod. And I got to meet some new friends, too. :-) Sunday I went to another BBQ of sorts and spent time with some other Portland friends that I’ve not seen in a while. Also a good thing.

How could I possibly be unhappy in the midst of so much goodness? Yes, there are often days when it’s hard to see the good things, even though there are quite obviously so many of them. But I will remind myself over and again and sometimes I’ll remember and sometimes I won’t. And hey, that’s ok.