It's Thanksgiving week... and I've been starting my days with a simple reflection on all that is good in my life.

With the recent SoCal fires, I'm mindful of our humble little apartment. It's full of music and art. It is shelter.

With the recent economic lows, I'm glad hubs has a wonderful job with a nice working environment in the healthcare field.

I'm extra thankful that my art classes are going so well that my students are already signing up for winter/spring classes.

People quit their day jobs to do what I'm doing. I obviously love what I'm doing even though aspects of it are mundane.

Watching Super Nanny from time to time, I'm more than thankful that our son has grown into a lovely young man with a good heart and is loved by his peers.

With an uncle recently diagnosed with bone cancer, I'm so thankful that all in our immediate family are healthy.

With so many homeless needing a daily meal, I'm thankful for a full refrigerator and stocked shelves.

With so many lonely, I'm glad and thankful for neighbors and friends both close by and over the miles.

When I think about the Horn of Plenty with a bounty of vegetables and fruits spilling out, it's a symbol of what our lives are.

Each vegetable and fruit is a gift of life, and the many aspects of life that we take for granted yet are more than thankful for it during this week.