Things I am thankful for in 2012

I am thankful that we have a government locally that will accept a basketball court from a soda pop company for its recreation department.

I am thankful that Democrats and Republicans can work together to elect a State Representative in Regina Quick that recognizes what is important to people in Oconee County.

I am thankful that code enforcement officers are not dog catchers or animal control officers.

I am thankful that Nicole Brooks took on Connie Massey for the Watkinsville City Council race to replace Henry Norman.

I am thankful for African Americans joining the Oconee County Democratic Committee.

I am thankful for a Sheriff's Department that will allow its residents to dispose of prescription drugs with no questions asked in a retooled mail box.

I am thankful for Kumquat Mae's Bakery and Cafe bringing talent shows to Watkinsville on Friday nights.

I am thankful for Mike Thornton leasing his lovely old house to the Ashford Manor Bed and Breakfast boys next door for another wonderful venue to host an event in Watkinsville.

I am thankful for the Ashford Manor boys setting up shop to register people in the old gas station uncovered at the front of the Ashford on Main property.

I am also thankful that many of my friends have come to visit me in Watkinsville and stayed at the Bed and Breakfast, sometimes with little or no notice and being flexible on the no kids rule/

I am thankful for Jittery Joe's Coffee and Krimson Kafe, Sunshine Cycles and Girasoles having great businesses functioning in Watkinsville.

I am thankful for safe streets, homes and neighbors in Taylor's Landing, Morgan Manor Estates and every subdivision I did not mention.

I am thankful for the Farmers Market making money for all kinds of people, some of whom do not even live in Oconee County.

I am thankful for sidewalks and bike paths, as few as we may have.

I am thankful for athletes helping schools, and schools helping athletes.

I am thankful for tutors assisting students in need.

I am thankful for neighbors who put up with me.

I am thankful for you reading this blog.

I am thankful for leaders like David Weeks and Chuck Horton.

I am thankful for political races that are quickly forgotten so governments can get back to the people's business.

I am thankful for Eagle Tavern and Elder Mill Covered Bridge.

I am thankful for Publix and Bells.

I am thankful for Zaxbys and Barberitos, Chicken Express and Attic Treasures.

I am thankful for volunteer firefighters and first responders, but wish we could pay them.

I am thankful for cooperation between governments and police departments.

I am thankful for massages and chiropractic treatment, and that I can get them both in Oconee County.

I am thankful for Trader Joe's and Home Depot, Lowe's and Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts and Tlaloc.

I am thankful for The Granary and The Big Easy.

I am thankful for OCAF and all that they do each and every year for local artists and musicians.

I am thankful that Oconee County and North Oconee High Schools are finally in the same region.

I am thankful that Athens Academy is beating Prince Avenue Christian School again.

I am thankful that Bulgarians and Croats, Serbs and Montenegro residents can move to Oconee County.

I am thankful that more and more Pakistanis and Indians have come to Oconee County as well.

I am thankful that Taiwanese, Swedes and Chinese people can live in my neighborhood.

I am thankful that most political campaign signs have finally come down, save for that one Mark Thomas sign on the garage building next to the Oconee Enterprise and the Romney sign on Simonton Bridge.

I am glad that there is a place to get many obscure beers and a rare steak in town,

I am thankful for the Caterpillar plant coming to Bogart and building of bridges between Oconee and Clarke counties in many different ways.

I am thankful for cleaning help and yard maintenance, most of whom never get thanks enough.

I am thankful for the continued lowest unemployment rate in the state in this county.

I am thankful to wake up each morning and take a new breath.

I am thankful for people in motor vehicles putting up with lines of bicycle riders, or parades, or people crossing streets at First Fridays or Farmers Markets.

I am thankful for the many groups who come together to help build ramps for people in need.

I am thankful that people bring books to the library to donate still.

I am thankful for anyone who has picked up a piece of litter or trash in Oconee County this year.

I am thankful for those who care enough to vote.

I am thankful for advance voting.

I am thankful for the secret ballot and all those on the Board of Registrations and Elections.

I am thankful for write-in candidates and insurgent campaigns.

I am thankful for any chance to challenge the status quo.

I am thankful for the local tolerance of eccentricities and the fact that most people will just leave you alone, except when you need help.

I am thankful for the rapid response of local government agencies when there is a leak or something needs being dug up with an excavator to repair.

I am thankful for police knowing who and where your 13-year-old son is playing.

I am thankful for people spending tens of thousands of their own dollars on improvements to our cemetery, most of which goes completely unnoticed or reported.

I am thankful for libraries allowing debates to take place on its premises.

I am thankful for the Chamber of Commerce putting on such a wonderful Fall Festival.

I am thankful for the Oconee Enterprise putting on the Christmas Parade,

I am thankful that not much from that other colorful weekly newspaper is ever taken very seriously at all.

I am thankful that the Banner-Herald finally realizes how important Oconee County is to the future of Clarke.

I am thankful for NewSource 15 students coming out to Oconee County to report on stories that no one else is touching with a 10 foot pole.

I am thankful for blogs other than this that constantly report about Oconee County, most notably Lee Becker and his blog Oconee County Observations; once upon a time the blog of former Chairman Wendell Dawson seemed to matter a little more, and I have not read Kate McDaniel's blog very much recnetly.

I am thankful for those like Melissa Steele and others who keep Oconee clean and beautiful.

I am thankful for musicians from Oconee like Fester Hagood.

I am thankful for leaders like Johnny Pritchett of Bishop, even though maybe 2% of what he believes in outside of Bishop I might agree with, I agree with his stewardship of the small town on 441.

I am thankful for Nedra and Sydney Johnson.

I am thankful for all the Wards in Watkinsville and thereabouts.

I am thankful for Rocket Field and Harris Shoals Park.

I am thankful for Herman C. Michael and Veterans Parks.

I am thankful for Heritage Park and think there are buildings like the house next to Veterans Park that belong there.

I am thankful for Violet Dawe keeping North High Shoals the ground zero for political activism in Oconee County.

I am thankful thankful for Stripling's and Tammy Cleaveland's cheesecakes.

I am thankful for parking the yard and civil disobedience.

I am thankful for Zach Mettenberger and John Wes Townley and John Berry and Mark Richt and Mrs. Stipe continuing to make Watkinsville famous.

I am thankful that books and music live forever and can defy time and space.

I am thankful that we are essentially part of the Southeastern Conference.

What are you thankful for in a local sense?