The temperature was 12 degrees this morning at 6:00 am. Light snow has been falling since yesterday. It’s not a day to be out and about even it it did get up to 25 degrees. My plan for the day was to put a roast in the crock pot, then take over the couch in a prone position and do some enjoyable reading. To accompany the roast on my plate, I added steamed asparagus with a slab of butter and baked potato (with two three slabs butter) and a tossed salad. Made for a good day. After finishing dishes I made an Egg Nog latte. I then parked myself in the easy chair and dreamed of my Christmas wish list. Have you made your list?
‘Tis a time to be thankful for all that we have, even if it is not very much. For me I can say I’m thankful because I’m healthy, game-fully employed, have a wonderful family. I can even say I have some great friends or at least 2 that I know of. I’ve also got $20 in my pocket, half a tank of gas in the car and my internet bill is paid (for this month). Right now I’m in Phoenix with my parents and my two sisters and a darn cool brother-in-law. So, there is much to be thankful for.
But not everyone is as thankful. There are those who have no food, no home, no family, no job, no money. Or maybe they’re in some outpost in Iraq or dealing with a death in the family. For me this is also a time to remember them. I can’t help all of them but will reach out to those I can. I hope we don’t quickly forget those in need and then move on to our next helping of turkey or take that first piece of pumpkin pie? What is it we can do for those in need?
Now, as for these guys above in the above image, I don’t think they’re quite as thankful about this time of year. If you look closely you’ll notice how they seem to be edgy, checking things out, not trusting me or any one else. Each step is deliberate. Cautious. Wonder why?
So what are you suppose to do on a cold, cloudy, rainy day in the first week of December? Well, I decided to make a pot of creamy chicken noodle soup. Sounded good to me and once I had it simmering on the stove it smelled even better. While the soup was cooking I went ahead and put up the tree, well actually two. When I went to the store earlier for the ingredients to make the soup, I found a small 3 foot tree, with lights, on sale for 10 bucks. So, I bought it and now I have two trees this year. These two 3 foot trees, which equal 6, are small compared to Earl and Bonnies 9 footer but if I buy a third one next year we’ll have the same size trees. Anyway, later on in the evening I sat down and enjoyed my bowl of soup, a piece of blueberry pie and my two trees. Trees are up and lights are on. Here’s an image of one of my little angels.
It seems a lot of people come up with a list of things they are thankful for during this time of year. There are so many things I’m thankful for but I’m only going to throw out this short and sweet list:
Spirituality – A lifelong journey of discovery for me. I’ve come to believe the search for God will introduce us to ourselves and I’m liking what I’m finding
Health – Physical and mental (which some may question) health. 2010 will be my 60th birthday so I do feel the stiff joints and hear the loud popping sounds from those same joints as I get up from a chair a little slower, but I still get up
Family – Grandchildren who are now driving, hard to believe they have grown up so fast. My children, sisters and parents who all are gifts in my life. I love them dearly!
Photography – At this point in my life, it’s a love affair. It’s one medium I use to express myself and helps me to see the world with new eyes. LightRoom 2 🙂 I’ll also include the community of photographers who enrich my life as a photographer and as a person, that’s you!
Friends – I am blessed to have many, some who have been there to help lift me up when I’ve fallen and some who I have helped get back up. Distance and time have not deterred those friendships
Work – Which provides a comfortable lifestyle and an extended family
Chocolate – What more can I say, one of my crutches. I guess you can also include Thai food
I do wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and hope your day is filled with family, friends, turkey, stuffing,pumpkin pie and chocolate.
