kathrynzj at RevGalBlogPals invites me to share five things that cause you to be grateful. 

1. It’s 100 degrees in Michigan today, so my first one is obvious: so grateful for air conditioning. Though I’m also carrying a certain amount of guilt about the contributions the a/c makes to global warming.
2. Today was mostly taken up with a funeral for the husband of a couple married here 36 years ago. I really liked the widow, and enjoyed being with the family. They were very functional and fond of each other, very blended and also open. A good day. I pray for God to hold them in their grief.
3. Living next to Lake Michigan! Just made plans to go swimming tonight, the first time this season. 
   
4. Raspberries in the CSA box this week, along with new potatoes, beans, and more kale. Please send me your kale recipes, I need inspiration.
5. Yay for Kathy, who centers me, calms me down, gives me hope. Yesterday’s council meeting was hard, but talking with her afterwards, even in generalities, brought much-needed perspective.
   

   Kathy at the Butterfly Rainforest at the University of Florida, Gainesville, 2011.