Pet peeves, Part II

I recently read a shortsighted list of pet peeves in our wonderful community newspaper. In one sentence, the writer referenced a song, "I Have a Little List." The spirit of the song prompted me to consider some things I'm grateful for in my "little list":

1. The small-town feel of our community where motorists can conduct conversations from their cars in the middle of the street.

2. Faithful dogs who alert us to potentially dangerous situations.

3. Neighborhoods where children can play in the street.

4. Going for a bike ride with a friend.

5. Morning newspapers, dry or wet, to read over breakfast.

6. Mothers with strollers in the mall, reminding me of the excitement of being a new parent when my kids were young.

7. Well-designed parking lots where traffic can flow freely.

8. The entertaining shows consistently performed at the Kavli Theatre.

9. Well-timed stoplights at intersections to maintain the flow of traffic.

10. Neighbors' tolerance of the need to park a motorhome on the street for a few days.

11. Being tall enough to see over the people sitting in front of me at the Kavli.

12. Watching crows and hawks glide in the breeze off my deck.

13. The variety of landscaping in a neighborhood unencumbered by HOAs.

14. The discussion of the show just watched while in the Kavli parking structure after a performance.

15. The parking of huge trucks in the middle of Thousand Oaks Boulevard while unloading vehicles, reassuring me we have a vibrant local economy.

16. A courtesy wave from another motorist on the freeway and the corresponding courtesy shown to me later on.

17. Hardworking truck drivers transporting goods around our country and their appreciative flicker of taillights when I slow down to let them change lanes. Erik Loose Thousand Oaks