These are a few of my least favorite things

Dark dreary days that become even darker when the sun goes down earlier and earlier;

walking into a meeting or a building feeling like you've just been hosed down because of the hard, steady rain;

having to do year-end personnel reviews for staff;

"Dancing with the Stars;"

having to head home after a relaxing, but too short, trip (especially on our boat)

being so far from grandkids (and their parents)

60 hour work weeks that still leave you with the realization you could have done more;

such busy schedules that Judy and I don't get much time together;

Cats;

three putting;

rain gutters clogged with wet, soggy leaves;

stock indexes whose declines look steeper than any downhill ski course;

going to a meeting and realizing you have a greasy spot on your shirt from something you spilled at lunch;

writer's block;

These are a few of my least favorite things!

Oh, oh, wait a minute. The sun just came out and warm rays of light are streaming into my study. Maybe my list was a bit of overstatement. Maybe I am not that "down" as I thought. maybe I do have something positive to say.

Maybe those of you who don't live in the Northwest during the winter months have a hard time relating to what has been termed SAD or seasonal affective disorder. I guess I didn't realize that light and sun and warmth were so important to me.

I really have a lot to be thankful for. Last night's study and discussion at the MINT was invigorating as usual; I had a great "theological discussion/debate" with a friend in Starbucks this morning; I got to attend Rotary at lunch and hear a great program; I have a wonderful staff that are colleagues with whom I find great joy in sharing ministry; and I have scheduled a rehearsal of our Jazz septet this evening. Those are all just a few of my most favorite things and they outweigh the other list by far (not to mention the fact that Judy is really good about not ever making me sit with her to watch "Dancing with the Stars."

I still wish I had more time with her(Judy); that I could be on the water more; that I could spend alot more time with our families in Chicago and Phoenix and that there could be warm, long, summery days even in November. But on the whole, my life is really pretty good and when I think about all the good things, in the words of Lerner and Lowe in the musical "The Sound of Music," then I don't feel so bad.

I think I'll step outside for a few moments and soak some of that sun up before it disappears again for several days!

"Summing it all up friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious- the best not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse...and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies." (Philippians 4: 8,9 THE MESSAGE)