At Least 17 Reasons(*) to be Thankful

This morning I woke up* to a bright blue late spring sky*, the chirping of birds*, and the smell of honeysuckle* wafting through my bedroom window from the porch trellis below. I rose and looked down on the vegetable, flower, and lavender garden* lovingly tended by my remarkable wife*. Going downstairs to the kitchen, I started a pot of Puerto Rican coffee*, sliced a fresh bagel* in half and put it in the toaster, opened a well-stocked refrigerator* to get some margarine and jam for one half, and sliced into a ripe tomato for the other half*. I put my tail-wagging mostly lab rescue dog* outside (he still refuses to accept that his breed is meant to be outside). After a bit of preparation, I joined the dog on the porch and consumed my breakfast along with the fresh morning air and the sounds of a new day*which will include Unitarian services*, my thespian daughter’s* play practice,  welcoming home my youngest son* from his sleep-over at a friend's house, and hopefully, a call from my two oldest sons** who live across the big pond.