Thankful in Duluth — 2013 Edition

I'm thankful for the usual suspects- family, friends, for living in this great community, and for PDD.

Weren't most of the owls sighted in the irruption starving? The irruption was (I think) caused because owls did not find enough prey in their normal hunting areas and so had to range further.

OK, I suppose I shouldn't be thankful for owl famine. I'm thankful some of them found something to eat in Duluth, I guess, and that I had a fun afternoon looking for them on Rice's Point.

I am thankful that Paul did not set his face on fire, and that we have some mealworms left for the owls and other birds who need a thanksgiving feast.  I am thankful for our perfect library system, our magnificent and ever changing lake, my dog Gracie, and my much loved former dogs Emma, Lulu, and Bailey.  I am thankful I live in a city where the mayor turns down a pay increase, and citizens approve increased educational funding after what we have been through.  And where Woody Allen films play on Date Night.  And where my beloved mr. Emmadogs and I are very happy.  And where we have PDD.  Thank you.

Apparently PDDers are not very thankful this year.

I know. I mean, seriously, I can't be thankful for Pirate Pizza all by myself.

I don't usually add to the yearly thankful list, not because I'm not thankful, but it seems a little "yay me" (which can be difficult for introverts). But things I am thankful for this year:

- I have a decent job in Duluth that's in my field. I've had many friends move away over the years because they were unable to find a tech job. It's not my dream job, but I'm happy it allows me to stay in Duluth.

- Marriage equality in Minnesota - fuck yeah!

- Duluth's awesome art/culture (Zinema, Underground, Nerd Night, etc.). All of it makes Duluth more enjoyable.

- (It's cheesy, but I'm going with it and you can't stop me) I'm thankful for my awesome geeky husband who I am incredibly lucky to have, and for the awesome Geek Prom team who had a part in that.

- I'm thankful for PDD, which keeps me in touch with the town (and doesn't completely shun me when I'm being a dick).

This fall marks 15 years we've been in this Burg, thankful that it's been a nice ride. I'm thankful for the family, job, and all that stuff, but I'm also thankful that even after 15 years here, there are still fascinating people and places to get to know. (Morgan Park? Whaa?)

This has been a difficult year, but I am thankful for: 

- my four amazing children
- friends and family, both near and far, who remind me every day that I am loved 
- my job, which brings much needed change to the world
- my Nook, which my bank account is not thankful for, but my mind is

And as always, I am thankful for Lake Superior, in her many different moods and colors, for keeping me sane.

Hi Tamara, I hope 2014 is a better year for you.

A week late -- and very thankful that my electricity (or "current" as a sweet co-worker calls it) came back on, with the heat, after 35 scary minutes this evening when it was 10 degrees, and dropping.