
I says to myself tonight, I says … why don’t you write on your blog anymore?
You know, it’s the same thing … no time, I’m just so busy. Hell, I used to stay up until 3 a.m. to stay on a blog schedule. I once spent a morning in a donut shop near Fort Bragg with internet as strong as the coffee (not very) just to stay on a gosh-danged blogging schedule.
And now? If this blog was a goldfish bowl, it’d … well, all the goldfish would be dead.
So I’m grateful for the self-help kick in my own damned ass today to get going on a gratitude blog post. Just like that, it seems, you can go from ingrate to not-ingrate just by writing a damned blog post. Who knew? Not me, apparently.

9 things grateful
1. Guests in search of money trees
This really happened. She asked for one as if she’d just found it online. (It says online you guys HAVE it people often sass when I tell them we don’t.) She was buying a Dr. Seuss book and in search of a duffle bag and I’m glad she stumbled into the store on a night I wasn’t supposed to work anyway.
2. Food Lion Frosted Flakes
Are you even allowed to call them frosted flakes? Probably not. But they’re good. They taste like the real thing. Michelle, the money tree lady, actually told me Tony is a pedo. I need to check Snopes on that one. The Food Lion Lion appears on the up-and-up.
3. Cobra Kai time
It’s kind of brilliant. I don’t know why it’s not wildly popular like that one show about the tiger guy. Great writing, awesome depth, and Daniel LaRusso’s wife is the real deal. (Also, a cameo actress on the show liked my comment on Instagram so that makes us best friends, right?)

4. A desire to get on here again
It’s always been there. It’s always a part of me. I know a lot of you who used to warm up barstools around here have moved on to other pursuits. Maybe you don’t even read blogs anymore. I have no expectations in my return (again), but I’m looking forward to seeing what it is.
5. My spot at the kitchen table
Sure, the inside kitties harass me at every turn, but it’s a good perspective from here. I can see when Jayda drops by for Second Breakfast or Snack 223. She’s like me. Also sometimes the inside cats just sit next to my chair and it’s kind of cool.
6. My cool girl on the West Coast
We’re texting lots, and I’ve learned a lot in these several months since she moved out there. There’s a Medium post in here in the making, somehow, relating to parenting a courageous kid and feeding a pretty gray and white mama cat on the side of your house. I just haven’t gotten it together yet.

7. Smashburgers
The homemade variety. Who ever had the idea, hey, let’s heavily season beef, let it sear on Mercury grade heat, mash it like it’s the Minnesota Timberwolves, then flip it and melt some cheese on it, then make comparisons to paradise as we eat it. But, it works for me.
8. Sunrise
First thing, I check outside, and there’s my Jayda. I’ll write more about her. She and I have been through some things. But she’s there every morning, and, so far, eluding trapping so I can get her fixed. I love that she comes every day (yeah, I know it’s because I give her the wet food with cheddar chunks in it.)
9. Getting back to writing
I write all day, y’all, for a company I love. But this place means a lot to me because you’re here. I hope you are. I’ll welcome all who return, and those who find this place by accident. I can’t wait to get another 6 words post finished and post more #GirlsRock and all this. Thanks for being here.
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Welcome back, Eli. Good to see you here. Hope to see you again soon. Keep on being grateful.
Thanks, Carrie! It’s nice to see you back here. Grateful for you, in fact!
So glad youβre back π
PS – I love Cobra Kai too! Definitely a treasure undiscovered by so many
Thanks, Katherine – I’ve missed this place!
The writing in Cobra Kai is magnificent. Plus, you know, just a revisit to younger days. Glad you’re watching it too!
good to see your face!
Good to see yours too, Beth!
Itβs great to see you, iβm thankful you posted and there is so much good stuff to post.
Thanks for taking such interest in the no-longer-really-a-stray cat. Have you called around to rent a drop trap? The rescue has caught quite a few that wouldnβt come near the other kind of trap using one.
So glad to see you here, too, and thank you, Mimi. Jayda’s my love now. I have a couple of traps, but the devilish girl keeps swiping the food out the back of them – or coming for breakfast late, conveniently, on days I have an appointment set for her!
I have heard of a drop trap, and a friend has offered one … so that will be my next strategy. Stay tuned my friend.
I’ve fallen off the blogging wagon myself and keep looking at the shortcut on my toolbar, calling to me like an abandoned friend. Happy to see your blog still showing up in my email. Stay well, my friend
I’ll have to join that friend in the toolbar and implore you to post again, Teri! So glad I still make it to your email, and I’m headed to your blog right now.
Nice to see you back, Eli. You’ve been missed, my friend.
Hello, Sharon – thank you! It’s awesome to be back with you guys.
I feel the same way about writing on my blog. Iβve revamped it, simplified it etc and yet, I never write on it anymore. I need some motivation and get over my damn self and just put something out there.
Love a good smash burger and sunrises are the best.
Let’s both try to get back to it, shall we Susi? Always love your words. We’ve got this. Smash burger and a sunrise to the winner. (Note: We’ll both win.)
I like what you’ve done with the place, Susi! We should follow whims we have to get on and write. Or just put it on the calendar, whatever works!
Sunrises and sunsets both have their allure … not unlike the fabulous smash burger.
Hi Eli, it’s always fun to read your words. I feel the same about my blog these past weeks. It doesn’t even cross my mind to post something new after a week. then two, three—oops. I am writing a manuscript though. So at least getting ready for professional editing on my latest. That’s something. Just wondering. Are blogs dying a slow, tortured death in general?
It’s always fun to read yours, too, Lisa. I feel like I can stick around here now, because it didn’t take that long to get this one going.
A manuscript takes time of course … which is why mine sits in drafts! Can’t we have more time in the day?
I’ll never lose faith in blogs. I feel like it’s up to us to keep them alive, with posts and visits. Those who leave them behind are missing out.
Lovely to see you again, Eli. Falling down is easy, anyone can do it. Getting up, starting again, takes courage. Bravo.
So awesome to see you as always, Jo. The good thing is it’s easy to get back up here. And it feels good. Look forward to getting back to your page now, too.
Looking forward to more Eli. π
There’s never enough time in the day to do everything that needs to be done, so whenever I’m (you’re?) choosing to do something I’m choosing NOT to do something else. Glad you made the choices you did today.
Great way to see it, Kathy. Let’s make the good choices again today and tomorrow.
Welcome back! Last year started a huge emotional drain on all of us. I’ve been ignoring my blog way too long, also. I appreciate the reminder that it’s not so much about what we share but that we simply share whether people read it or not.
Thank you! Just think, this time last year, we had NO idea.
I love the notion of sharing just to share. See who comes. And even better go visiting. I looked at a couple of blogs I’d love before, and they were gone. I’ll never know what happened. But I’m grateful to have had them when I did.
Also grateful that you’re still here!
Great gratitude and shit! Welcome back. Been enjoying the Cobra Kai series too.
Thanks, Susan! It’s so nice to be back, and I should stick around more. Every episode is even greater than the one before, and I have the biggest crush on Robby’s mom π
I must confess to having binge-watched the entire season. Great stuff!
Yea, I was so excited to see an email pop in with your name on it! I loved the Cobra Kai – I had a large crush on LaRusso back in the day!
Welcome back and hope to see more of you when time allows! π
It probably felt old-school, getting a message from me about a post! Cobra Kai is so well-written and compelling. Totally in love with Robby’s mom, just saying. Also I hope Ali Mills makes an appearance. If you already know if she does, please keep it a secret! haha
Iβve been pondering a comeback, too. Maybe this is the kick in the pants…. the inspiration I needed! Now that Crash is a man-child parenting is a little different.
You should do it, Eric. Let’s go! Parenting just takes a new level, that’s all.
Great to see you back, Eli! Just as your kiddos are moving away, mine have both moved back to within 25 minutes of our house. It’s fabulous after they’ve been away for several years.
Hi, Deb! Things come full circle, literally.
I look forward to reading about their return on your blog!
What is blogging? Lol
Nice to see you back Eli. π
It’s a lost art, Lindsay! We’re going the way of the Sony Walkman. Great to see you here, Lindsay! I’m headed to check out what you’re up to …