IF WE DO "Gripes," we need to do "Grins" as well.

That's the reminder several faithful readers gave me last week, and they're right.

They got in touch to remind me that the last time I called on readers to share their gripes, their pet peeves and the irritations they run across in life, I also asked them to share upbeat, pleasant observations, things that made them smile.

Readers contributed examples of good deeds by neighbors and friends, acts of kindness, light moments in life and silly or funny slices of life that were upbeat.

So here's the deal: Let's grin again.

To that end, I still want readers to share your gripes, the big and little things in life that make you want to just explode.

But I also want you to share your grins, the good things you run across in life that restore your faith in people.

The man who found your checkbook and immediately turned it in to the store manager.

The neighbor who laboriously trained her dog so it wouldn't bark at night.

The little girl who gave all the money she had, 37 cents, to a drive to help feed the homeless.

The guy on the help line who actually fixed what was wrong with your brand-new computer.

You readers who've submitted your gripes, feel free to get back in touch with your grins.

Those who've meant to send in a gripe or two but haven't yet--add a grin and send them in, post haste.

Use the attached box to get in touch. All I ask is that you include your name, where you live (i.e. Stafford, Caroline) and a daytime telephone number in case I have questions.

To get you into the spirit of things, I'll share a grin of my own, along with two short gripes.

My grin: bags that were available here and there during the holidays designed to actually fit rolls of Christmas wrap.