#5DailyGratitudes: A glorious sunrise, warm weather (so I can wear lighter jackets), being cared for by my family, glorious solar energy, cat snuggles, being close with family that is far away.

Photo: the MacKiimmie Tower at sunrise

It’s Wednesday and our weather is lovely. #5DailyGratitudes: Spending time with students, my great colleagues, this barren stem on my plant that is coming back!, resilience and resistance.

Photo: my new money plant that arrived with one barren stem amongst the other growth showing signs of life!

It’s Thursday. #5DailyGratitudes: being Canadian, old lady crafts, getting outside, walks with coworkers, progress in several areas

Photo: a purple cat stitch blanket in progress

It’s a sunny Tuesday! #5DailyGratitudes: a bright sunny winter day, my friend who feeds my plant addiction, successful thrifting, tending my own growth, and adapting to change.

Photo: A new money plant on my desk, courtesy of my pod mate, who split her plant and gave me some. (Three cheers for plant transplanting in the office kitchen.)

The days are getting longer! #5DailyGratitudes: The sun rising earlier every day, feeling good about my work, having enough, sleeping well, letting go of what I no longer need.

Photo: the sun rising between the buildings downtown as viewed from my office. I love that spear of light the appears for just a moment a few days of the year.

It’s Wednesday - we are halfway to the weekend! #5DailyGratitudes: feeling energetic, helping with student workshops (I love students), laughing with my daughter, getting plants on sale, deepening friendships.

Photo: our local hardware store inexplicably had lovely, healthy, African violets on sale this past weekend so I got a sweet pink one that looks like it was painted with watercolour.

Heading into the office on Tuesday… #5DailyGratitudes: my cozy house, the smell of baking bread, quiet mornings, my cat Chimera - the big chonky snuggler, the lingering chinook (now that my headache has passed).

Photo: Hera, my tiny cat, snuggling into Chimera, my big cat.

A windy Monday. #5DailyGratitudes: warm weather, a kitchen stocked up with food, work from home days with my pets, the weekly zoom call with family, being Canadian.

Photo: a pan of focaccia dough dimpled with cheese and rosemary.

It’s Friday! #5DailyGratitudes: working from home, a warm cup in my hand, moving forward with optimism, living in Canada (even if it is in Texas North), having the comfort of my feline companions.

Photo: Chimera, my brown tabby, supervising me in the home office today.

Good afternoon Thursday! #5DailyGratitudes: feeling optimistic and happy, seeing the moon on my walk into work, opportunities to be creative, clean water to drink, my solar panels at maximum capacity on this winter day.

Photo: the moon over the education building on campus this morning