Thanksgiving is my second favorite day of the year, and here are 25 things that I’m thankful for, in absolutely no particular order, in the year 2008:

1. That the Razorbacks have a Friday game in the Rock. After eight Saturday games that lasted a minimum of 14 hours including travel, prep and writing, this one is much needed.

2. That the young Razorbacks basketball team is going to be fun to watch.

3. That UALR beat a good Creighton team this week and is home again Saturday, along with the Trojans women’s team.

4. That gas is less than $ 2 per gallon.

5. That I work for a great company with great leadership (and honestly could probably give lessons to a lot of the companies that are having to be bailed out with our tax dollars ).

6. That sometime this afternoon I will get to watch the Kleine clan (Mike, Peter, Joe and John ) gather around a pot of boiling oil and discuss the merits of frying a turkey. I’m really glad Peter will, as usual, remember to check the time the turkey goes into the pot.

7. For my entire family, which will convene this evening at Mom’s house. And for my dad’s cornbread and dressing recipes that took years to pry out of him. Of course, they were not written down but in his mind and handed down from my grandmother, who was legally blind until you stepped into her flower bed.

8. That, knock on wood, my daughter Whitney has been very cautious while living in Memphis. Seems like everyone tells her to be constantly aware of her surroundings, and I’m thankful she’s listening.

9. That I’m able to delegate so much with confidence to such a great sports staff that is very diversified, talented and dedicated. When Ivan Maisel of ESPN. com spoke to the Little Rock Touchdown Club recently, he told the group they were lucky to have a sports section that is exactly what a sports section is supposed to be — informative and interesting.

10. For the privilege of living in the greatest state in the union and the world.

11. That one man can be blessed with so many wonderful friends. And for my smoker.

12. That Arkansas State is one victory away from being bowl-eligible.

13. That Central Arkansas won the Southland Conference, maybe not in writing but on the field.

14. That Bill Ingram came up with the idea of the Real Deal basketball tournament, which provides hundreds of kids an opportunity to play and at the same time brings lots of tourist dollars into the state.

15. That I get to co-host a statewide radio show with Shawn Arnell five days a week on the Arkansas Radio Network.

16. That we all live in a country where we choose our leaders.

17. That John Pelphrey, Bill Self, Billy Gillispie, Rick Barnes and John Calipari and others have agreed to speak to the Downtown Tip Off Club this season.

18. That I got to see Michael Jordan play during his prime.

19. That I will most likely never have to sit through another football game like the one at Southern Cal in 2005. Pete Carroll wanted that one badly.

20. That we live in a country where we can worship without persecution.

21. That I can turn the TV off or down when Lou Holtz and the former Texas Tech basketball coach start talking on ESPN.

22. For Positive Atmosphere Reaches Kids, one of the most life-changing organizations in our state.

23. That Arkansas is in the SEC but will start a series with old Southwest Conference brother Texas A&M next season, a game that will give the Razorbacks their greatest exposure in the state of Texas since they left for the SEC.

24. That Arkansas is the duck hunting capitol of the world.

25. That Mike Beebe is an even better governor than expected, and a lot was expected.

I’m sure I’m forgetting a few things because I have so much to be thankful for today and every day.