Today I am grateful to the anonymous neighbor who shoveled snow away from my garden gate. Whoever this was also (optimistically) shoveled a clear spot next to my car, and a path to the bird and squirrel feeders.

The sparrows and squirrels thank you, too. That’s what she’s saying up there: Thank you!

I’m also grateful to Niki, who brought me homemade tuna casserole with baby peas, just the thing for a snowy day.

This is a season in which one must be grateful for having cause for gratitude.