Full of Grace

1. Getting to see the Bolshoi Ballet.  I go to the ballet once a year at an outdoor venue that has been the summer home to the New York and Philadelphia ballet companies.  We are blessed to get such tremendous talent so close to home.  The Bolshoi, however, was probably a once in a lifetime experience and wow, was it worth it!   Grand.  Spectacular.  I have never heard such an ovation at the end of a ballet as I did here. (even Martha was on her feet)   I still have goosebumps.   

2. Of course, given the recent political happenings, there were many protesters on site.  I am grateful that I live in the country where these protesters had the right to peaceably assemble and be heard.  I am also extremely grateful that the Bolshoi came anyway because I think we need many more events where we can share our art and culture and appreciate our similarities rather than always focusing on our differences.  

3. That my state’s State Court of Appeals just affirmed a lower-court ruling and found that the towns have the authority to ban fracking through land use regulations.  I wrote a law banning fracking in my town years ago, as soon as this became an issue.  But the State authorities (under pressure from big lobby groups) have been threatening to override any local ordinances.  This ruling will keep my town protected.  And may I say that it just pisses me off how politicians are willing to gamble away their water supplies for quick money.

4. Having the job at family gathering of holding the babies.  Not being much of a party socializer, I was quite content to sit with the newest addition to Martha’s family, snuggled up in my shoulder and neck for a couple of hours.  Sweet bliss.

5. That the wicked hot flashes and night sweats and very uncharacteristic bitchiness I have been experiencing have subsided.   I am grateful . . . but probably not half as much as my family is.