Thurkey Afternoon

Thursday, a little after noon here, another 4 hours or so until THE MEAL is ready.  

Today, I’m thankful for:

• my family
• my friends
• my cats
• my job
• my car
• my piano
• my drum
• the roof over our heads
• that the price of gasoline has dropped below $2/gallon
• that I’m once again excited to see what’s on the evening news, rather than scared to death (though I’m aware I’ll continue to be shocked, dismayed, and saddened by the fact that vast numbers of people are just downright mean and plain stupid)
• that the truck running a red light yesterday missed Kathleen and me by about a foot
• that Lea and Karma are spending the day with their various friends in the Great Northwest and (hopefully) keeping warm
• that Dave is making the turkey, dressing, and gravy (and made the lefse on Sunday) 
• that Anna made the pies (okay, I made the pecan pies last night, and we’ve already eaten most of one)
• that we’re going to Lyn’s for THE MEAL, and that Lo will be there
• that others are bringing the rest of the fixin’s (Michael and Gary are making the sides, so there’s sure to be plenty of potatoes!!!)
• that we’re making the whole meal again tomorrow here at home because we want lots of leftovers
• that I’ve spent my morning blurfing (I wish I had more time to read your blogs, so today is very special because I get to see what you’re all up to) 
• that our couch is so comfortable (not the orange one I wrote about last year – that one found a new home when we moved here) – this is the one that’s made the rounds from Nat’s apartment, to Owen’s, to Michael’s, and is now with us – oh, and it started out at Teddy’s mom’s (she buys quality stuff)
• that Owen was with us until he wasn’t, and that we’re able to tell his stories
• that hearing Ruby getting ready for school in the mornings makes me smile
• that hearing Nat and Anna drive in the driveway makes me relieved
• that we live in a beautiful part of the world
• that there is a reasonable hope for an end to the war in Iraq within the next four years (I’m trying not to get too caught up in a timetable – we’ve been here before)
• that I now believe reasonable and thoughtful people will be considering what to do next in Afghanistan
• that the price of food, while outrageous, is manageable for our family
• that people are openly speaking out on their disappointment of the outcome of Prop. 8
• that I have computers to keep my mind busy and my fingers flexible
• that books have provided me with so much: education, entertainment, information, training, laughter, tears, adventures, escapes, and whole different realities – and that less than 1% of all books have thus far made it into the electronic format (I like the actual physical thing called “book” – the covers, the bindings, the graphics, the feel and smell of the paper, and turning the pages)
• our physical and mental health (even if that last one is frequently called into question)
• music
• art
• dance
• poetry
• the search for beauty
• OBAMA as our next president
• and more that will strike me throughout the day (hopefully not so hard that it knocks me out – THE MEAL will take care of that)

I’m also thankful for you, because if you’re reading this, you’re probably doing at least one of the following:

• being alive (okay, this one is fairly certain) 
• doing something harmless
• soothing an injured heart
• remembering Owen
• missing someone or several someones
• checking in on me (thanks, guys)
• considering people and things for which you’re thankful
• ignoring your family and friends – no, wait, go! shoo!

~ by Linda on November 27, 2008.