Books. When I'm really depressed, as I have been lately, new books are the only things I can count on to bring me any joy. My husband and I order them from a discount company, so they usually only cost between three and five dollars each. Yesterday our poor letter carrier had to haul two huge, heavy boxes up onto our deck.

For a while, I have something to look forward to. That's a rare feeling, and I'm very grateful for it.