Thankful today for the goodness of people who are willing to help without hestitation in the midst of catastrophe. Our dear "Cuz," my dad's 80-something-year-old cousin, lives in Greenwich Village, NYC in the same tiny apartment she's lived her entire life. Due to Hurricane Sandy, her power has been out for over 4 days now, and her tiny fragile frame is getting rather cold and hungry. She cannot go out alone. I found out yesterday she needed more food and candles until some of our family members could get to her.

A few texts later, our friend Jeff, who recently moved to Brooklyn from Dallas, kindly agreed to bike to her house today to bring her some food.

The grocery list:

eggs
chicken
salad
candles (sold out everywhere)
biscotti
italian bread (because let's be honest, a 100% Italian woman can only go so long without it)

This is what Jeff said, "It was weird riding around lower Manhattan with no electricity. It was quiet and eerie. Cops at every corner directing traffic. Water stations at hydrants for people to fill up jugs. Food donation centers. The richest city in the U.S. is third world right now."

Please pray for power to return quickly, for multitudes of provision. With all those who can get help, there are so many others who will fall through the cracks.

We love you, Cuz! And God bless you, Jeff!

~ ~ ~

During the month of November, I'm practicing "30 days of thankfulness" - will you join me? Use your blog, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to voice your thankfulness for something every day in November. My hope is that this daily routine will create in me a heart of thankfulness and gratitude, no matter the day or month or situation.

1) When it's 107 degrees in Dallas for months, I can immediately be transported for a few heavenly hours to a crisp New York autumn.

2) Creative gift ideas.I have given a "bouquet of newly sharpened pencils" as a fun little gift to several friends since this movie. Who doesn't want to receive one of those? "Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address." - Joe Fox.

3) Café Lalo - one of the most charming little cafés in New York. Nothing like sitting by the open casement windows there, sipping a warm latté on a mild October day. My friend Suz and I have done it multiple times.

me and Suz in front of Café Lalo in 2005

4) The scene where Kathleen Kelly is shopping for groceries at Zabar's on Thanksgiving. I don't know what's better...Rose the annoyed cashier, "Get-in-another-line." Or awnery HAYN-ry who is behind Kathleen in line. "So SIGN already! I'll hardly get home in time to watch the Thanksgiving parade!"

5) The fabulous Parker Posey. Quirky, exotically beautiful, and the perfect dry humor.

6) Their ancient Mac computers and Instant Messenger. Don't you miss those simpler times before our lives were taken over with things like Facebook and Twitter? I actually remember getting in AOL chat rooms in college. HA!

7) From a pier on the Hudson River, Joe Fox and the kids wave hello to New Jersey, my homeland.

8) The "George" character. "This place is a TOMB! I'm going to the Nut Shop where it's fun."

9) Christmas in New York. Period.

10) How can I not mention Meg Ryan's choppy pixie haircut? If I could pull off short hair, I would rock that hair style like it's 1998.

This movie just makes me happy no matter when I watch it, at any time of year. And I'll never tire of it, never.