Evelynn Starr

A friend of mine once revealed to me a few techniques she uses to fight insomnia. Counting sheep doesn’t do it for her, so she developed some exercises of her own. One was to count backwards from 100 to 0 by threes. In French, German or Swahili. Another was to think of all the different languages you can say “please” in.

A third exercise is to go through the alphabet and name at least three things per letter that she is thankful for.

I like that one, and in honor of Thanksgiving tomorrow – the most important day of the year – here is some stuff I am thankful for (in reverse alphabetical order). People, events, things and places that make my life a little happier, and each day a little more meaningful.

• Zebras, Ziploc bags, Zippers
• “Yes we can!”, Yosemite and Yellowstone, YOU – my reader(s)
• Xtra cheese in my fajitas, Xtra gin in my drink, Xtra cash in my paycheck
• Winter sports, Washing machines, Wine of all colors
• USA, Uhu-glue, the Universe
• Velcro, Vacation days, Voracious appetite
• Tulips, Time, Tea with lemon
• Sweetie, Sourdough pretzels, Sunshine, Strong women, Swimming pools, Scallopine al Limone, San Francisco, Skate-marathons, Speed, Singapore (Slings), S-L-E-E-P!

(Sorry, went a bit overboard on the S’s…)

Very few bartenders know how to make these well.

• Rollerblades, Relatives in South America, Rose-colored glasses for the proverbial rainy day
• Questions, Quaker Oatmeal, Queen’s University
• Pa, Petra, Philadelphia(ns) and the Flyers
• October 11^th, 2008, Oceans, Opportunities
• Naaahfick & Co., Non-violent civil disobedience, New shoes
• My big brother and his kid, Many old and new friends all over the world, the Month of May
• Life, Love, Latte Macchiato
• Kindle, Kiwi-raspberry juice, Knowledge
• Journalism, July 4^th fireworks, Jet airplanes

BOOM! Nothing like a couple of good explosions on a warm summer evening.

• Ironic Mom, Ikea, Italian pasta dishes with white sauces
• Happy landings, Hershey’s Kisses, Hot showers
• Grand Canyon, Good health, God
• Fritzi the dog, Fitness, Freedom of choice
• Early mornings, Eighties music, Eucalyptus trees
• Dairy Queen, Driving my SmartCar, DasLetzte.ch
• Columbia University, Cell phones, Common sense
• Bagels, Blogging, Black Jack
• Autobahns, Aviation, Apt.#410

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Make it a great day.