Christmas Music

I'm thankful for it.

  Not gonna lie or be ashamed.

I started it up November 1st.

I'll keep it going until at least 

New Years Day.

Andy was mom's favorite.

Mine too.

But, you know what?

I've been known to crank it up 

mid-June.

Even when it wasn't 2020

It's The Obscure Things

 We have very deep thoughts on our morning walks.

1- aren't you glad you aren't

 the person who collects coyote urine?

2- aren't you glad you're not the guy

on the back end of the leaf sucking truck?

Technically,  our walk highlighted

 two things to be thankful for.

Here's what precipitated the coyote pee reflection.

I am thankful that someone collects that urine

and packages it so 

I can use it to keep critters out of my flowers.

And, whereas, the back end of a leaf picker-uper

looks like the short end of that stick, 

I am thankful for the job they do. 

There!

You can always find something.

Just Do It

I'm not sure where this will go. 
I've noticed that I've been thankful
for the things I have done. 

When I think about things that won't happen this year

I'm just so thankful that I've chosen to DO things

in the past.

I'm wondering if our town will

 do it's lighted Christmas parade.

I'll miss it if they don't

but I'm so happy we've braved the cold and done 

it many years.

We did an overnight in Chicago with our

kids and their families one year. 

We did Kris Kringle Market,

dinner 

and zoo lights.

Look at all those people 

PACKED in! 

This was before we even knew what

"social distancing" was.

Lory and I did Christmas in Disney last year,

well, not *actual* Christmas,

but Disney's Christmas celebration.

We saw fireworks every night, my favorite.

Disney is open on a limited basis but no fireworks yet.

Our gang of girls did Chicago last year.

We managed to find a day and just DO it.

No nasty warm wine in boot mugs this year.

I guess, where I am going is, 

I could get sad about what 

WON'T

be happening this year, 

or I could be so 

THANKFUL

for the wonderful times I've shared with people I love.

Another thankful moment, 

I'm thankful for the time spent,

not *things*.

Hmmm.....

36 Years And Counting

Big started sending me this magazine when I first got married.

Thanks to them sending renewal notices

long before the current subscription ran out,

and thanks to Big not wanting me to 

"miss an issue",

she dutifully renewed the subscriptions on

Meredith Publishing's schedule.

Big passed almost 2 years ago.

I still get 

Better Homes and Gardens.

I'm thankful for how it warms my heart

and gives me a little grin.

Love you Big.

 

The Things You Take For Granted

 It's the little things.

Today I am happy I can use my right hand

to wash my left foot.

Go ahead, try it.

Left hand washing left foot.

Hope you have about this many grab bars

LOL

Carriage Oaks

 Mom and Big moved here so long ago I can't even give you a year.

I would ask Big, tell me something you DON'T like about it here.

I'm not sure she ever came up with anything substantial.

Mom was crazy about the staff.

I sat on the board for a while, 

they are a VERY dedicated staff.

It's got to be hard trying to make everyone happy.

And that's under the best of times.

My in-laws live here now.

We have had a front row seat to how the staff has

strived to keep this community safe and healthy during this 

crazy time.

They've cut back gatherings, 

figured out how to facilitate Happy Hour,

made areas outside to accommodate family visits,

organized entertainment in the parking lot

and I'm sure countless other precautions

seen and unseen.

It hasn't been easy on any of them but I am so 

thankful that the team lead by Cheryl 

does the hard work keeping people I love safe.

That Sound