Rant #139: Reasons To Be Thankful, Part One

As we move right into the Thanksgiving holiday and end-of-the-year holiday buying season, it might be the right time to make public my list of things I am thankful for during the past year.

So without further ado, here is my (nod to Ian Dury) “Reasons To Be Thankful, Part One" (no other parts are planned, but you never know).

They are in no particular order.

• I am thankful that Oprah Winfrey has decided to end her gabfest. I really can’t stand her.

• I am thankful that Sarah Palin is not our vice president. And I will be even more thankful that she never becomes our president.

• I am thankful that the Yankees won the World Series this year. How could I have faced my Met-loving relatives if they had lost?

• I am thankful that I have memories of Michael Jackson before he went weird. He was such a good-looking, talented kid—what happened?

• I am thankful that my daughter graduates college next year rather than this year. I wouldn’t want her to go out looking for a job in the market that we are in today.

• I am thankful that I have eyesight in both of my eyes. Thank goodness that I took care of my problem when I did, and thank goodness I had extremely competent doctors looking after me.

• I am thankful that I don’t rely on my cell phone like so many others do. What did we do before cell phones—we drove, shopped, walked, and did everything with our minds totally on the task at hand.

• I am thankful that I have a good wife who puts up with me. I may not be the easiest person to live with at times, but my wife knows how to put me in my place—gently, of course.

• I am thankful that so many of my favorite TV shows of my youth are finally coming out on DVD. Now that shows like “The Lucy Show” and “The Patty Duke Show” are available, how about “Dennis the Menace” and "The Mothers-In-Law"?

Finally, I am thankful that at least a handful of you read my rants every day. It makes me feel wanted.

Thanks again, and have a great holiday. I am taking tomorrow off!