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Hard times give us perspective on the things that matter most in life. Then again, as the members of Spinal Tap mused while gazing upon Elvis' grave, it is possible to have too much perspective. That's how I feel after more than two years of economic upheaval and eight years of war: Enough with the lessons, let's get on with the peace and prosperity.

But this week brings us a day to reflect on the meaningful things, as well as some less weighty ones we just happen to like. So before embarking on the annual task of figuring out which wine goes best with fried turkey, I'm offering another installment of my occasional, alphabetical Thanksgiving Week series, "People and Things For Which I Am Thankful."

Analog clocks, live music, and other vestiges of the predigital world in which I grew up.

Bourbon whiskey, and similar American spirits.

Chosen Fast, the blog written by Greensboro's Michele Forrest, which has done much to focus attention on the neediest among us.

Dave Winer, often right and never in doubt (www.scripting.com).

Elijah and Sydney and their mom, the first two for entertaining me and the last for continuing to put up with me.

Facebook. Really. Not for the games and features I ignore, but for reconnecting me with old friends and providing a useful online address book.

Great Wall of China, The, for living up to the name when I was fortunate enough to visit it. Also, Peking Duck, which is still good despite now being served in Beijing.

Hybrid clubs, with which even I can sometimes hit a golf ball.

Irony, described by F. Scott Fitzgerald as "the Holy Ghost of this later day," still effective in this even later day.

Jin Chang, the proprietor of Sushi Republic, who runs his restaurant the way restaurants ought to be run.

Kay Hagan. Greensboro's senator has done a good job so far.

Larry David, for saying it out loud.

Michael McKean, who played David St. Hubbins in "This is Spinal Tap," for saying, "I envy us."

New York City.

Ol' Roy. I could get used to Coach Williams bringing that national championship hardware back to Chapel Hill every few years.

Portuguese Water Dogs. Fleet of foot, noble of spirit, bad of breath; I hope the Obamas get as much pleasure from theirs as we have from ours.

Quiet. Same Q as the last time I wrote this column; too rare a commodity to overlook for that reason.

Rhinoceros Times, The. An idiosyncratic, sometimes maddening, and increasingly useful local institution.

Stuffing, or as you might call it at your table, dressing. Either way, it's the best part of the turkey.

Tacos from Carniceria El Mercadito on Spring Garden Street, a take-out joint that also sells made-in-Mexico Coca-Cola brewed with real sugar, not corn syrup.

Urban Ministry, The Greensboro; A well-run organization that needs your help to help those in need.

Van Loi Vietnamese Restaurant, off High Point Road. Go for the pho, but get the quail appetizer first.

Wikipedia. Not that I trust everything it says, but then again, I don't trust everything anyone says.

Xbox. It's 10 p.m., do you know where your children are? Yeah, probably.

You. Still reading this column? Thanks.

Zeppelin, Led, for "Ten Years Gone" and a lot of memories, some of which I can actually remember.

Edward Cone (www.edcone.com, efcone@mindspring.com) writes a column for the News & Record on alternate Sundays.