So far, 2009 has been a royal pain.

But. I am still grateful for many things. Among them is my Mom. Every day, I’m reminded how lucky I am to have her. And even though on Mother’s Day, we dragged her to a sports bar and teased her with such quotes as “Without us, you wouldn’t BE a mother!” I am infinitely grateful that I am lucky enough to have landed such a Mom.

Another thing I’m grateful for is the beautiful place where I live. A week or so ago, I stopped off at a vista point along the freeway on my way home from work. I ask you, how many people get to see such beauty on their commute? On my drive home, I see deer foraging. Cows eating, sunning, cuddling each other. Horses romping. The occasional skulking coyote. A sparkling reservoir. And fog as it pours over the mountains. I can smell pine trees, and eucalyptus, and, on warm days, baked grass.