The Joy of Teaching Someone A New Game

I enjoy teaching, especially if it involves teaching someone how to play a favorite game. I got to do that today. For several hours today, I got to teach a friend how to set up and play a role-playing game. It's always a blessing to share interests and hobbies. I am grateful for the experience of teaching someone a new game.

I Know My Limits

My original plan was to spend all day at an amusement park, but around dinnertime I felt exhausted. I decided, along with the friends I was with, to call it a day earlier than expected. It was still a wonderful and enjoyable day. I am grateful that I can be aware of my own limits and act accordingly.

Olympics!

They're finally here! I will confess, it's not likely that I will actually see much of the Olympics this year. I don't really have my own TV, and I've never been a follower of sports. But I've always loved what the Olympics represent. I especially love the amazing opening and closing ceremonies.

Also, my office had Office Olympics and each team was assigned a country. I represented France today in a friendly competition of Table Tennis. France didn't win anything today...

I am grateful for the Olympics! There is so much good that can come and does come from it.

Audiobook Actors

What exactly do you call those people who speak in audiobooks? Book tellers? Book speakers? Book voice actors? I think actors fits the bill here. I've tried my hand at it myself, and it is quite difficult! I find myself stumbling over words and correcting myself. Hardest of all is the need for water. Your throat dries out, and you need to stop...but you want to keep reading and acting because it's so enjoyable...

I have great appreciation and respect for audiobook actors. I'm grateful for them.

Writing Groups

Besides a few writing classes in college, I've never been part of a writing group before...until now. I'm excited about it! As part of such a group, I get to read, write, and edit fiction! I get to grow a little in a field I enjoy! There is something special and fulfilling about being part of a group of people that can create awesome things. I am grateful for writing groups.

Family Bonding: A Friendly Family Feud Over Netflix

My family shares one Netflix account, and Netflix only allows two users in that account on at one time. For the past couple of days, I was involved in some enjoyable text message conversations in which one person would say, "Hey, who's hogging the Netflix?" and we'd all admit it and let others go on, and so forth. I admit I was part of the problem because I was indulging in one episode after another of Top Gear. But, who am I to take all the Netflix space?

This never became a fight, but a delightful and open discussion about coordinating our times so we don't step on each other's "nets" as we get our internet TV "fix." I dare say this is yet one other thing our family enjoys bonding over, even with the distances that currently separate us. I am grateful for a friendly, family feud over Netflix. (I think "feud" is a strong word here, but it starts with "f," I absolutely adore alliteration!)

Those "Dolly Levi" People

Do you have a "Dolly Levi" or a "Yente" or a Jane Austen "Emma" among your friends and associates? These are the kinds of people that like to be matchmakers. I don't know exactly what it is about these people who like to try to arrange people's lives, but they exist, to the annoyance or enjoyment of their friends and family. I've met a few of them. One of them even set me up on a blind date a year ago. I think there is something endearing about these people because, if their heart is right, they only want to see people happy. I am grateful for people who try to help other people to become happy.