Gratitude:

I find there are few things that inspire more gratitude than a really good, fresh apple pie.
Doldrums:

For my spouse's birthday, I took him to the Naval Air Museum in Alameda, which happens to be located right next door to the old Pan Am air terminal -- a deserted building that belonged to a great but defunct airline.
Preparation:

This was our front yard earlier this year, after demolition but before construction.