There is a bit of a tradition around these parts, the old Thanksgiving column. Not being one to break with tradition, I suppose the time has come for this year’s edition. So, without further adieu, I give you, 10 things I am thankful for.

10. Stuffing. Enough said. I don’t know if I’ll be eating any this year because, as I write this, I have no idea what I’m doing for Thanksgiving. Still, it’s my favorite part of the holiday and even if I’m not eating it on Turkey Day, I’m sure that I am at least thinking about it.

9. The Texas Stars. Had a chance to go to a game last weekend and it was really so much fun. I don’t watch hockey much on TV, but every time I have gone to a game in person I am convinced it is the most fun spectator sport. I’m glad to have the Stars here and I plan on getting out to as many games as I possibly can.

8. The Hot Stove League is heating up. I just may enjoy baseball even more when the teams aren’t playing. Who’s going where? Will the Red Sox actually trade for Adrian Gonzalez? Which free agents will the Yankees get? These answers and many more lie ahead in the weeks to come and you better believe I am excited to learn them.

7. Stanford’s success. I pointed out last week that I am a Jim Harbaugh guy. Have been for as long I can remember. I love to see him do well and I would love it even more if his team beats Notre Dame this weekend.

6. The return of high school basketball. The girls have been playing for three weeks, the boys for two and already we’ve had some good games for the locals. I’m excited to see what they can do once district rolls around.

5. The Texans season so far. Houston looks like a playoff team to me. Of course I have been banging on this drum for a while, but if Matt Schaub stays healthy I see no reason why the Texans won’t still be playing in January.

4. The high school football playoffs. Okay, so they’re over, but the ride was fun while it lasted. Two games in two days in San Antonio where the four teams combined to score over 200 points will probably hold me over until next year. Still, I wish there had been more. The good news is, a lot of the players on this year’s teams will be back next season which hopefully means we’ll get even more weeks of high school football.

3. You. I don’t think I thank you enough, so let me say, with the utmost sincerity, thank you for reading this column. If you weren’t there, taking a look each week, then I would not be here, doing what I love to do. Please, keep up the good work (and while you’re at it go ahead and tell a friend).

2. The fact Texas and Texas A&M are once again playing on Thanksgiving night. I have many great memories of past games, of finishing mom’s big Thanksgiving dinner, loosening my belt and settling in to watch Bucky Richardson decimate the Longhorn defense. I’m not even going to try and imply anything like that is going to happen this year. Still, it’s a good feeling to know that great end to Thanksgiving day awaits.

1. The kid. Well, there’s just no getting around this one anymore. Eliana Louise is most definitely the best part of my life and I am beyond lucky to have her.