Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

A couple topics on my mind. First, giving thanks:

My children!
I am grateful for my children and the love they have brought to my life. I'm grateful for their easy, companionable friendship they give, in spite of my being their parent. I'm grateful that they accept and love me for the person and the parent that I am. I am grateful that they are staying true to their beliefs; that they strive to be good people and strive to live their religion. I'm grateful that they both chose the spouses they did... What great taste and forethought they have!

My wife!
I am grateful for my wonderful, caring, loving wife. She is my life, my love, my companion and friend. I am grateful for the loving way she lives with me and how she constantly lifts me up. I am grateful that she cares for me in our daily lives. I am grateful for her concerns; that she watches over me. I am grateful that she shows that she loves me and that she accepts the love that I try to show her. I am grateful for the chain of events that brought us together 36 years ago, that we fell in love and had the wisdom to make a commitment to each other. I am grateful that we are still in love.

Many other things that I am grateful for, but will keep in my heart for now.


Another topic, more negative this time: Snow storms and News Reporting:
We just had "the biggest blizzard in several years" blow through; that's what the local news stations all said, anyway. The reporting on the coming bad weather preceded the storm for several days. In the 24 hours prior to the storm's arrival, all the stations we watch or listen to were beside themselves about how big the storm would be. It was if they were trying to whip everyone in a frenzy about the coming bad weather. In fear of being trapped in the storm, people stocked up the necessities, left work early, traveled early, and generally bought into the hype.

As it turned out, the storm dropped snow in some places, and mixed precipitation in others. In no way was it even close to what was predicted. We were pretty much left at the altar, so to speak. I noticed that the storm coverage came plenty of advertising, though, and it seems that the storm coverage accomplished a purpose after all.....


Last topic: My Beard
For four Novembers now, I've grown a beard during the month of November. Every year I shave it off, realizing that being bearded is not for me; it is too much upkeep, it itches, and (showing my vain streak) it doesn't suit my looks. This year, after two weeks of beard, I started to shave it off, not waiting for the end of November. My wife stopped me mid-stroke and said "why don't you have a goatee". I listened to her, as I always do (hah!) and have sported a Van Dyke since then. I will probably cut it off at the end of the month, but it's been kinda fun in the meantime. Pictures? Maybe. If so, I'll put them on Facebook for all to see.


That's it for now... Have a happy, safe, and caring Thanksgiving and Christmas season!

Don

Happy Veteran's Day.

Some have this day off (including me, I work for a government entity). For others it is a regular work day. Whichever category you fit into, I hope you'll take a moment to ponder the men and women who have served our country in the military. I hope you'll take a moment to privately or publicly thank them for their service.

For myself, I cherish the freedoms I've enjoyed in this country. I know that these freedoms have not come about all by themselves but have been purchased with sacrifice. For the servicemen that have made the ultimate sacrifice, I offer my meager but heartfelt thanks. To paraphrase Dickins, "God bless [you] every one".

Don

Long time coming:

I haven't posted anything on my blog for well over a year. What's my excuse? Help me out here...

The _________ ate my __________.

My ____________ got sick and died.

I didn't have time because I had to go to _____________.

There's just not enough _____________ to get every thing done.



Make up your own, if you want. I just don't have any excuse that will sound plausible except one: Honey Nut Cheerios.
Honey Nut Cheerios. I like them in a cereal bowl well enough but I really like them as a snack. They sort of represent comfort food. And I guess that's what I'm talking about. My excuse is that I've been busy trying to get comfortable.... not an easy accomplishment in this day and age.
But I've had some good doses of comfort over the past year I could talk about. In a nutshell and in no particular order):
Time with the love of my life, Pat.
Visits from and to my kids and their families.
Successes and acknowledgments at work.
Playing WOW with my kids.
My dear sweet little granddaughter, Lilly.
Directing the church choir.
Doing crossword puzzles on those off-days.
Holding my brand-new grandson!

Lots of other things as well. Anyway, I guess any excuse I could give is lame. Bottom line: I haven't posted an entry for all this time and now I have. I'll try to post more frequently in the future. A couple ideas for upcoming posts:
Lost, the series
Bad drivers
Running tips
Scripture commentary.

Intrigued? Me too! I hope they will be interesting...

Meanwhile, A Gaelic Blessing to send you on your way (you can hear at this link):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GSWtHc22t8

Deep peace of the running wave to you...
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the gentle night to you.
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you.
Deep peace of Christ, of Christ, the light of the world to you.
Deep peace of Christ to you.

xxoo Don