My gratitude grows but my attention is short. Let's make a list.

On this Thankful Thursday, I'm thankful for:

1. No knowledge
My new reading trick is to avoid book flaps, blurbs and best-seller lists, and to dive in without preconceptions. This approach worked recently when I read The Girls, an engrossing and engaging novel by Emma Cline. I liked the book very much, and it was refreshing to learn about the backstory and author after I had finished the book.

Is this how we use to read, before fevered promotions and author platforms?

2. Noteworthy
A friend sent me a card. She is "remembering to send handwritten mail every now and then" and I was the lucky recipient.

3. Retread
I rarely watch movies more than once or return to books I've already read. But this week I found myself bookless. In desperation, my eyes darted across cereal boxes and classified ads. Words, any words. Without time for a book run, I reached for my bookshelf and one of my favorite novels: Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner.

Over the years I have gifted this book to dozens of friends and family but could remember few details (I can barely remember the book I read last week, and I read this one 15 years ago).

Much to my relief, I slipped back into those creaky yellowed pages and still liked the book.

4. Pie
Though I dislike Valentine's Day (forced affection and obligatory gifts), I'm thankful I ditched my sour mood and allowed a sentimental groove. Now we're eating cherry pie and we're both happy.

Sometimes, most times, it's good to get out of your head and into your heart.

It's Thankful Thursday (on Friday, because life gets full), a weekly pause to express appreciation for people, places, poems and more. Life expands with gratitude. What are you thankful for today?