Reasons for gratitude

Just a few that come to mind this morning here in the U. S. of A.:

• A relatively low incidence of street fighting.

• The fact that someone can close a major manufacturing facility without a Federal investigation ensuing.

• Knowing that sleeping until 9 am tomorrow, thereby missing all the Deals of the Century, is no big deal.

• Remembering that "crushing dissent" here means application of the taunt and the shun, not the thumbscrew and the firing squad.

• Happy couples, even if I'm not part of one.

• My very own soapbox, for a relative pittance.

• The sensation, at least on the local level, that my humongous tax bill is actually doing something.

• The fact that two years ago, I was somewhat overextended and living in a crummy flat, and now I'm in a relatively nice house of my own and still only somewhat overextended.

• Six thousand people come to read this stuff every week.
  

For a dyed-in-the-wool ingrate like me, this is quite a list.