A few early morning thoughts on Thanksgiving...
What an odd holiday - a food-and-shopping centered holiday based upon an event that didn't quite happen like we were told when young, of course. Sanctioned gluttony. Parades and a dog show, football - and food, and the turkey inspired nap...and more food. And family for some, and arguments at the table, and stories - which become funny (and unfunny) movies. And - struggles for so many others. A weird day.
But - here in Raleigh it is chilly (was 32 when I got up to feed our fairly newly adopted rescue dog). Breakfast is done (apple dutch baby...yum). My wife and I are getting ready for a brisk 5 mile walk around a nearby lake. Our daughters are distant, celebrating with their families.
I feel really lucky - to have my wife (best friend, for 39 years), those wonderful daughters, our silly furry friends (two cats and the new dog that is slowly realizing I am not such a bad creature to warm up to, but it is slow - one step ahead, one back - he is a true rescue who had a rough beginning). We can take that walk, have a nice meal later on, delight that our TV has been turned off for 10 years so the noise of politics and the current asshole in chief are not front and center for us. We are SO fortunate.
I appreciate having this place to sound off on, learn from (so many smart, dedicated people here...appreciative of skinner and earlg and elad for keeping the lights on 24/7 for nearly 20 years!).
At our ages, it is holidays when my wife and I are most keenly aware of how many in our lives have passed on...mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, a sister and brother, many beloved pets. Days like this are less joyous (we don't enjoy shopping either!) than reflective - a tad sad when we let our minds go to what was, but hoping we can keep our health and activity and look forward to more decades of walks in the woods with our dog, nice meals together, a book by the fire.
Anyway - thanks to all of you for listening, occasionally chastising (always deserved!), but sharing so much information, your lives, your jokes.....brr, it is still cold out there - gotta bundle up. But the joy of watching our Koda bound through the woods chasing squirrels, jumping into the lake, and delighting in the outdoors as we crunch through the leaves, under a canopy of yellow and brown beech and orange and yellow maple and purple dogwood leaves....can't wait to get out there!
Enjoy the day in whatever way, and by whatever means, you can. Catch you around!
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Was a good read! Hope your not too stuffed today. (I'm very stuffed at the moment) Happy Thanksgiving back at you!! 
