Surrounded

I am surrounded by good things even Martha couldn't top!

I have four lovely daughters and a husband who loves me.

I live in a free country with a stable government, a support system of churches, police, armed services, hospitals and emergency services.

I have life insurance, health insurance, savings, a job (or two) and am in good health.

It's almost embarrassing how full I am. And dinner isn't for another two hours! May I never take my charmed life for granted.

A Frugal Thanksgiving

It was the worst of times. I'm sorry Charles Dickens but I cannot tell a lie.

Going to the recycling yard to scrape up the rest of the money I needed for my thanksgiving dinner marked a new low for me. It was raining and I hauled my stash into the covered awning and predicted I'd get back about seven dollars. It was barely worth the gas it took to get there.Vacillating between momentary devout prayers of trust and panicked worry, I counted the dollars and tried to reconcile it with my list. So many of you are at this point as well. It is a new experience. Being poor in college doesn't hold a candle to being tight when you have teenagers! Hungry, socially active teenagers.

And then, I saw them. The three of them, two men and a woman, crammed into a pickup truck loaded to the gills with aluminum hubcaps. None had washed for at least a month. Teeth missing, clothes a tattered collection of someone's castoffs, they were nonetheless a pleasant bunch.

I'll be getting a check or two next week.They probably won't. I'm just temporarily tight, and have a warm house with bathing facitlities and clean towels. They clearly don't. I visit the recycling facility when the pile gets too high in my garage. They most likely scrounge everywhere they can and visit often.

Being hungry and homeless is a far cry from where I am. I must remember this. A little perspective changes almost anything.

Buttered Hot Chocolate

I discovered how to make the most delicious hot chocolate EVER!

To milk, add sugar and cocoa to taste, along with a pat of butter. (no kidding!)
Simmer slowly and whisk vigorously till cocoa is absorbed, sugar is melted, and it's hot enough for you.
Each serving will take about 10 oz of milk.

Thanksgiving Resolution

"Pretty is as pretty does", was a saying that went around when I was a child. Well, thankful is as thankful does, too. Every year we all take off work, eat turkey, and tell everyone around us to have a happy thanksgiving. Saying you are thankful is simple and important, but  this year I'm starting a new tradition.

I've decided to take action with my gratitude. So many people have been treasures from heaven to me! I'm sending out letters of sincere appreciation to people who have blessed me. I've sent one already, and am plotting the second. I call myself a writer, after all, and a letter is one of the most basic forms of communication one can compose. It's the one thing you can write, that you can be pretty sure will be read!

I made a list some time ago of people who've made a significant impact on my life. Some I've met, some I've just read about. Some will be hard to track down, as I've lost track of their whereabouts.  But, there's no time like the present. As a matter of fact, there's no time but the present, and I intend to get far on my list.

Let me start by thanking you, my reader. I value the time you took to browse through my collection of thoughts, and I'd love to hear from you.

Who are you thankful for? and why? People are our most valuable resource. Let's tell them so.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!