Thanks

Corrective Lenses. Okay, I admit it is a somewhat odd thing to be thankful for, but with my eyesight, I can’t imagine life without them. You think I’m a menace to society now, just imagine what it would be like if I couldn’t see well enough to even walk safely.

Alcoholic Beverages. Some may feel it a tad gauche to admit to being thankful for booze, beer and wine. But think about it. Imagine you had to spend every waking moment with me. You too would find some comfort in a bottle.

Macaroni & Cheese. My favorite food, not only for the flavor and texture, but also because it makes me feel like I’ve just crawled up on Mom’s lap and she is gently rocking me to sleep. Good stuff, Maynard.

Power Tools. No, I’m not a great craftsman. With that said, but for the grace of power tools, and a dedicated father, I would be living in a tent in the backyard.

An Old, Worn Sweater. We all have one. The sweater you took with you when you went camping on the beach. That time that it rained solid for four days, and the sweater was the only piece of dry clothing you had left. You swore to cherish it for eternity. And you will.

A Good Book. A vibrant tale that can whisk me away to a fantasy world where I can be a dashing buccaneer, a Maestro, an eminent scientist on an adventure to Mars. Or well written verse that can make me think and feel.

Comic Strips. Come on folks, have you read the newspapers lately? They are pretty gruesome bits of journalism. But for the comic page. It is a smile in a sea of dour news.

Friends. I know. You were all starting to mumble to yourselves. “That unappreciative old bastard, he’s thankful for contact lenses, but not the important…” I do have some clue as to what is important. To my friends, old and new, thank you.

Family. I’m blessed with Richard and four furry critters. They keep me sane. (Well, as close to sane as is reasonably possible.) I have four amazing sisters, who I don’t get to see often enough. But when we do get together, we always seem to have fun. And for the most part, they married pretty well. And the 10 nieces and nephews and their spousal units, who I see even less often and wish I knew better. And the 10 grandnieces and grandnephews, some of who I’ve never even met. I need to do something about that soon. Thanks to you all.