Happy Thanksgiving...

 As I write this, Thanksgiving has already begun in much of the lower 48, but I still have a few hours before it begins here.  I have a turkey waiting to be roasted, potatoes to be mashed, dressing to be baked, table to be set... other than that, I am ready.  

I made a blue cheese ball that is a tradition in my family.  A couple of bricks of cream cheese, some finely chopped veggies and a little salt, and a pound of blue cheese.  It is mixed and the favors are melding together in the fridge so it will be perfect tomorrow.  I am sure we will not eat it all tomorrow, which will give me some creamy, yummy snacks for the next several days.  And if worse comes to worst, I will spread it on a hamburger... gourmet burger!

I have been watching the news more recently than I have for many years.  I will be stopping that shortly.  I do not see anything good on the news.  Between the election stuff and COVID-19, and the struggling economy, it is just an ugly world that we seem to live in these days.  But by the same token, looking at what is happening to others in this country and around the world, I have come to appreciate my blessings... and there is no doubt that God has blessed me in so many ways.

Last year at this time I was exhausted but I had finished the task of unboxing all of my kitchen stuff so that I could have Thanksgiving dinner with my oldest son, Rob, and his lovely wife, Kate.  I had downsized much of my "stuff, packed the rest of it on a truck, and moved across the country from southeast PA to the middle of Alaska.

I have settled into a really beautiful house that is now my home.  I have learned to deal with long, dark winters, very frigid, and long, light-filled cool, comfortable summers.  I made a few friends before quarantine began.  I had stayed quietly inside, enjoying my new home before Rob and Kate coming to visit after a couple of months of just phone calls.  I am healthy, so far.  I have learned how to shop without even going into the stores.  I have learned how to drive in snow and how to drive with blinding sunshine in my face.  I have everything and anything that I could ever want.

I look at the long lines of people who are trying to get food for themselves and their families.  I do not want for food.  I have seen the ever-increasing numbers of COVID cases and increasing numbers of deaths.  I remain healthy.  I see the number of people that are unemployed increase and hear stories of people becoming homeless or unable to clothe or feed their kids.  I am warm and well dressed, be it sweat pants and sweaters.

My youngest son, Brian found a job after a year and a half without... and it is one that he is liking and they seem to like him, so win/win.  My youngest nephew got married in September to his girlfriend of 10 years.  I had to miss it because of the pandemic, but I got to see the pictures, and they look very happy.  I have heard from many of my friends from the lower 48 and they all seem to be doing well, blessings for all of us.  I am currently smelling baked cinnamon cranberry bread.  It is going to taste so good in the morning.

Rob and Kate will be with me tomorrow.  I am so grateful for all they have done to make me feel at home in my new location.  We will be talking to Brian who is either at home or visiting his father ... if he got up the courage to fly.  I will try to talk to my brother, Andy, tomorrow as well.

I am grateful for all of the blessings that I have been given.  I give thanks to God for allowing me this life I have been able to live so I can enjoy these blessings. And I am thankful for all of my friends, new ones, and the steadfast ones I have made throughout the years.  

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving.  May this day give you a chance to remember all of the good things large and small that are in your life, and may you find blessings that you do not even know are there so you can rejoice in your own blessings.  And I pray that next year there will be large family gathering for a Thanksgiving to beat all Thanksgivings.