There are so many things to be thankful for this year. The ones I have listed are not organized or in any order. They are just as I thought of them and wrote them down. I'm sure I've left out the most important one. Here are some things I'm thankful for ...

The crackle and crunch of dry Fall leaves as I walk ankle-deep through them. ... Barbara Henderson's blackberry wine and strawberry cakes. ... Susan Pope and Jillian Wells Andrews who share my love of the novels of Nicholas Sparks, Luanne Rice, and James Patterson (his 'nice' ones, more than his gory ones.) ... Breakfast on Christmas morning at Bug and Buzzy's house and all the East Robert Toombs Avenue neighbors. ... Five of the finest high school girls anywhere - Victoria McLendon, Mariah Crew, Mariah Jones, Roshonda King, and Norae' Early - who work in our circulation and mailing shop and do a terrific job every week. ... Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Athens for giving me the opportunity to browse through the best of literature 'past' as well as current writings. . . .Grandma and Pearl Anderson's beautiful homemade quilts that keep my family and me warm every winter. ... My Daddy who liked to ramble and took us on long rambling walks in the summertime and long hikes into the woods this time of the year. ... My Mama who loved everybody and everything and spent her life doing things for other people.

Air-conditioning in the summertime and central heat in the wintertime. ... The opportunity to walk alone and unafraid at sunrise every morning down the streets of my beloved Washington-Wilkes. ... The privilege of serving as organist of First Baptist Church for many years. ... For the friendship of Vonice Wells, and for all the many, many things she does for many people. ... For the "spruce up" of Downtown Washington and especially The Square; and for those who have invested serious money in the restoration and redevelopment. ... . For the restoration of The Fitzpatrick Hotel and its part in the revitalization of the downtown area. ... For a bowl of ice cream at 11 o'clock just about every night. ... For Beechie Sherrer's ham biscuits, homemade vegetable soup, and fig preserves. ... For Jo Randall's cheese straws - there are no others like them. ... For a new pastor at First Baptist - Rev. Klay Aspinwall - all four of the Downtown area churches now have pastors (first time in a long time) - Rev. Gale Seibert, First Methodist; Rev. Glen Kohlhagen, Presbyterian; and Rev. Denni Moss, Episcopal. ... For Thelma Moore and her many alterations and other needlework, and her sweet potato biscuits. ... For Teresa Eason and her talents, and who has a mother that I adore.

For cold weather, an open window for sleeping, and the sound of rain on a tin roof. ... For Ora Mae Kirk and her zest for life. ... For Kermit Hocutt who helps anybody, anywhere, anytime, and for his abrupt and efficient way of handling situations. ... For many people who take the time to come by or call and tell me interesting things. (I couldn't do without you.) ... For Benjie Edwards, Jeff Franklin, Darrell Roth, and Ed Smith and the special things they do for me at our church. ... For two Beagles that have come into our lives during the past two years; for their beautiful brown trusting eyes that say, "Now, what can I do for you? ... For a granddaughter who as a little girl set her goal for her life and this year, after 23 years, received her doctorate from the University of Georgia. ... For another granddaughter who will probably be in school the rest of her life because she finds so many interesting things available to her at the University of Georgia she will never get through learning. ... For a grandson who after graduation from college found a good job in the midst of the economy decline. ... For another grandson (in-law) who came into our family this year. ... For Mercer Harris who cheerfully makes thousands and thousands of superb pictures and provides The News-Reporter with the interviews for Vox Pop.

For five community news writers who never fail to get their news in on time each week and early when we have early deadlines: Carolyn Gammon, Tignall; Bonnie Boatwright, Rayle; Samille Sherrer, Lundberg; Priscilla Maxwell, Tyrone; and Joan Drinkard, Heritage Homes of Wilkes. ... A new school building almost completed. ... The Post Office staff which is always helpful in any way they can be. ... Wills Memorial Hospital, its doctors and staff, and the many services they render to all of us. Most recently I'm thankful for Jeff Hackney and Dr. Robert Williams in the Emergency Room. ... For

McDonalds coffee and the young ladies who serve me every morning at the drive-in window. They know what I want before I tell them and frequently have "3 seniors coffee, one-eighty" on the order board when I get to the window. ... For a son and daughter who work hard to produce The News-Reporter and who look after an old lady (I don't feel old) and cover for her mistakes. ... For a niece who is special in many ways and who also looks after this old lady. ... For Bill Cannon who is special too. ... For Hoppy and Oleta McAvoy's delicious already-cooked turnip greens. ...

For a sister and brother-in-law who are cancer survivors and who do so much for me and for the community. ... For Henry and Shay Harris, Mike Scarborough, Debbie Jackson, and Boots Gunter, our oldest Downtown merchants, for their stability and support of Washington-Wilkes. ... For my doctor of many years, Dr. David Kirk, and his staff. ... For the Aspinwall children who are a joy to know. ... For bare trees that hold a promise of that beautiful shade of green leaves in the springtime. ... For a spouse who patiently proofreads this column every week, knowing that I'm probably not going to make any changes he suggests. For his patience, too, in living every day with a musician!