The past couple of weeks have been tough on the American psyche, but the time has also left many of us with a greater appreciation for our country and our families, according to a new TIME/CNN poll. (The survey, conducted November 7th and 8th, involved 1,037 Americans age 18 or older).

Nearly half of respondents feel things are going "fairly well" in the country these days, while 23 percent say things are going "pretty badly," 15 percent say "very well" and 12 percent say "very badly." On an optimistic note, President Bush maintains extremely high (87 percent) approval ratings, his second highest ever.

A month of anthrax cases and the governments subsequent incapacity to expose the perpetrators has chipped away at Americans confidence in their leaders ability to protect citizens from further terrorist attacks. Forty-seven percent of respondents are "somewhat" confident the U.S. government knows how to prevent additional people from anthrax infection. Although 33 percent say George W. Bush has done a "very good" job responding to the anthrax attacks, one-third say they are either "not very" or "not at all" confident, while 25 percent have a "great deal" of confidence in the governments protective abilities. In a mid-September poll, that last number was 41 percent.

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Americans are still supportive of the war in Afghanistan (84 percent approve of the military action), but that number is down slightly from the 87 percent approval ratings posted in October. Eleven percent disapprove of the war, up from eight percent last month.

Preparing, but not panicking
Americans are concerned about terrorism, and a slight majority (52 percent) believe there will be another terrorist attack in the U.S. over the next 12 months. Anthrax and smallpox both pose particular fears: 49 percent of those polled say they are "very concerned" or "somewhat concerned" that they or their family members will be exposed to anthrax, and 46 percent are "very" or "somewhat" concerned about exposure to smallpox.

That said, Americans are not allowing their concerns to spiral into panic; poll numbers show a considerably calmer nation than even one month ago. Only one in five now say they have purchased or have considered purchasing bottled water or extra food in preparation for another attack, versus 33 percent in mid-October. Thirteen percent say they have bought or considered buying a gun or rifle, down from 20 percent in October, and six percent have thought about getting a gas mask, down from 12 percent in October.

They may be eschewing more dramatic defenses, but many Americans are taking new, common sense precautions. Many respondents (31 percent) have started washing their hands after they bring in their mail, in an attempt to ward off anthrax, while 34 percent say theyve started throwing away junk mail without opening it (sorry, advertisers). Seventy-five percent say parents should keep children away from mail until its been checked out by an adult. And a surprisingly low number (44 percent) of Americans say it would be a "major problem" if the USPS stopped home mail delivery altogether.

Patriotism, "family time" on the rise
The emotional impact of September 11th is still fresh for many respondents; 32 percent say they have felt down or depressed after the attacks, while 16 percent say theyve had trouble sleeping.

Americans are more connected than ever to national identity in the wake of the attacks: Two-thirds of those polled say they have felt a "sense of becoming an American" since September 11th, and 36 percent say the most important advantage we have over the terrorists is our "morals and values."

The attacks also prompted a new focus on family for many respondents (62 percent) and spurred 66 percent of respondents to tell a family member they loved them. More than half of those polled (57 percent) say the attacks made them think more seriously about the "spiritual part of their lives," and 55 percent say they have a "greater focus on life."

Thanksgiving takes on new meaning
Nearly half of those polled (46 percent) say Thanksgiving this year will feel "different" because of the attacks, and 75 percent think they will be "more appreciative" this year.

Its not all about the emotional struggle for normalcy: Theres good news for retailers as well. Three-quarters of Americans say they are no less likely to go to a mall or big store the day after Thanksgiving than they would be if the attacks had not happened, and the same number say they have no plans to spend less money than usual during the upcoming holiday season.