10 Things I'm Thankful For in Catonsville

It's been 16 months since I set up residence in the great 21228. I was a little nervous about the transition, I'll be honest.

Granted my last permanent residence was only six miles east on Frederick Road in Union Square in Baltimore, but moving outside the city line to sign a lease seemed like a big step. It's not like Catonsville was unfamiliar to me though, as I have had family in Arbutus for 10 years and would often shop at the Catonsville Giant because it was better than the neighborhood Safeway in the city.

But after one move and more than a year in Music City, Maryland, working in a fantastic job, I've been bitten by the Catonsville bug.

Here's my list of the 10 things I'm thankful about living in Catonsville, in no particular order. 

1. Two great coffee shops on Frederick Road. I think I'm at a minimum of three times a week for meetings, lunch or just to work. Many of you readers have probably seen me there, tapping away on my Macbook or doing an interview. I'm also grateful for , which has open in the place of Six Mile Coffee. It's nice to have two locally owned places to hang out in in Catonsville.

2. The trolley trails. I'm not a fan of runs on roads with a lot of intersections, so both trolley trails are some of my favorite running routes. I've had some particularly Zen moments turning right from Frederick Road and dropping into the canopy of trees on the . Now that the has been redone it's even more inspiring.

3. Patapsco Valley State Park. I think I went for one of my first runs with my roommates after moving back to Maryland at . Since then I've logged hundreds of miles in the park and there are still a few areas I haven't explored.

4. Walking downtown to 'work.' When I moved into my new place this summer, I got even closer to downtown Frederick Road. Some of my most peaceful work days came in the warm summer months when I wouldn't move my car all day and planned my work day along Catonsville's Main Street.

5. The Fourth of July parade. I was a parade virgin this year, but the nonstop activities, enthusiasm and unique aspects of this historic celebration yielded tons of . I'm pretty sure the first 2012 Fourth of July parade article will be on the site in January. Let the countdown begin.

6. Family-owned restaurants. I think is my family's new favorite spot. I've also gotten many out out-of-town friends hooked on , , and .

7. Two farmers markets. With different vendors at each one and two days to choose from, it's just super convenient to buy local, fresh food in Catonsville.

8. Bloomsbury Avenue re-opening. Living off of Ingleside Avenue, it sure makes it easier to get around town with the . The smooth ride on the newly paved road is good too.

9. The Edmondson Avenue exit. It's rare that I enter and exit the Beltway on Frederick Road and now with the under way, I'm even more grateful for what seems like the back way in and out of Catonsville.

10. All of you readers. Let's face it, this job would be pretty boring if you didn't read the site every day. I'm grateful for you sharing ideas, telling your stories and being a part of the community on the site!

I know regular readers of Patch are pretty passionate about Catonsville as well. Tell me in the comments what you're grateful for!