Turkey Fun

In spite of the rain, the fried turkey came out perfectly and was devoured.

I changed ol' Henry and Bean into play clothes and the rain did not seem to interfere overmuch with their outdoor play.

It was a fun time.

I do a lot of great art with my students and my gramerlings (with some amazing help from a couple of retired teacher friends). From time to time though I will purchase kits from Oriental Trading Company for a fast and easy project. Anytime I get one of those e-mails for ten bucks off and free shipping, I go merrily through the clearance section and load up on some extra cheapy fun doo-dahs. My last adventure allowed me to get this little cardboard nativity for free.

I have ever been smitten by the whole nativity picture. The extremes we go to at hospitals to have everything completely overseen and hygienic is crazy (you know to just get mersa or c-diff, or whatever they are called). Trying to put myself in a stable for that event stretches my imagination to the limit.

There is an Over the Rhine song that says, " I want to speak with the angel who said to not be afraid, I want to kneel where the oxen knelt, where the little child was laid." I love that lullabyish tune, and it reminds me that I too would like to have seen that wee babe. So I have ummm, quite a few nativity sets of all makes and models. But I did not have this one where you can just plunk your ownest self right in the middle of the scene. I actually bought it to use at school. I thought the kiddos would think it fun to have their picture in a nativity, but the urge to bring it out at Thanksgiving was too strong. Let's just say the day ended quite joyfully!

Giving Thanks

We shared this prayer at a recent faculty meeting. I love it, and so I share it with you along with all good wishes for a blessed day!

A Prayer for Autumn Days

God of the seasons, there is a time for everything,

There is a time for dying and a time for rising,

We need courage to enter into the transformation process.

God of autumn, the trees are saying goodbye to their green, letting go of what has been.

We, too, have our moments of surrender, with all their insecurity and risk.

Help us to let go when we need to do so.

God of fallen leaves lying in colored patterns on the ground,

our lives have their own patterns.

As we see the patterns of our own growth, may we learn from them.

God of misty days and harvest moon nights, there is always a dimension of mystery and wonder in our lives.

We always need to recognize your power-filled presence.

May we gain strength from this.

God of harvest wagons and fields of ripened grain,

Many gifts of growth lie within the season of our surrender,

We must wait for harvest in faith and hope.

Grant us patience when we do not see the blessings.

God of geese going south for another season,

your wisdom enables us to know what needs to be left behind and what needs to be carried into the future,

We yearn for insight and vision.

God of flowers, touched with frost and windows wearing white designs,

May your love keep our hearts growing in the empty seasons.

God of life,

You believe in us,

You enrich us,

You entrust us with the freedom to choose life.

For all this, we are grateful.

God of love, you enter into our autumn seasons, into our deepest places of inner dwelling, into the heart of our transformation. You give us a glimpses of the truth. May we allow our experience of autumn to speak to us of necessary change and growth. May we accept the invitation to reflect upon our own death. Grant us an openness to the continous process of letting go and moving on that is part of the human condition. We are grateful that you are a faithful companion on this journey. In Jesus name, Amen

Author unknown

And, speaking of prayers, a dear friend was called out of town last night because her sister is in intensive care, in a coma. I know the family would appreciate prayers for this dear loved one. Her name is LaGayle.

Back to the kitchen for me.

Thanksgiving in Pictures

Jakster pointing to is pies

Handy Man's first fried turkey- dee wish us

Kaye was fairly exhausted after an early dialysis, but seemed to enjoy her dinner.

A ginormous egg for Thanksgiving!

Thankfulness

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ His Son
Give thanks.

That chorus always comes to mind on Thanksgiving.

It is early. The sun is oh so slowly lighting the tips of trees I see out my window. Though tired, my night was not restful, I'm up, trying to find some energy swimming around in my favorite green coffee cup.

My Mom's husband has suffered from an Alzheimer like brain disorder for the past couple of years. Each time I've gone to visit since summer, he has been a bit more "gone." This past week, his jaw shut and would not open and now he is not conscience or communicating in anyway and Auntie G-Lou says it will just be a few days.

Mom had planned to come for Thanksgiving and Kaye too. This was not at all what I would have expected for our Thanksgiving this year. The depths to which Kaye has gone health wise since last February and Mom as well, that did not allow me to hope for another Thanksgiving with them.

Do you know how it feels for something to be uncomfortable, yet normal. Way back in the day, after Daddy's stroke, they told us his life expectancy would be about seven years. So, for twenty-two years I always wondered if he'd make the next big family hoo-ha. Pre-cell phones, I never left the house for a few hours or went on a vacation that I didn't wonder what might happen when I was gone. Ahhh, it's back.

Anyway, the stress and sadness has impacted Mom's breathing, so she doesn't know if she can make it today. After the news about Roy, I wasn't expecting her. I mean, I wouldn't leave Handy Man and don't expect her to leave him. What I'm feeling like is just going to her house and holding her hand until he has left her, but Auntie G-Lou is there and a couple of dozen people are expecting some turkey and stuff around two this afternoon.

A long, long time ago, both my brothers stopped living with their boy's mothers. I said then that I'd have Thanksgiving at 2 and Easter dinner until the nephews were grown. I wanted them to have something traditional, unchanging. I have only veered from that once, with a change to one o'clock, because said brother's new girlfriend needed to leave early. This year said brother will not be here for the first time in so many years I've lost count, and I've had no report on his boys either.

All of the above to say, I'm feeling a little bluesy, however I am still thankful.

Thankful for:

• a Handy Man who rubs my back at the end of a long day
• a delight of a daughter girl, who helps with veggie chopping and casserole making
• a fine friend who peels endless potatoes while we laugh and visit
• a sweet sister who'll help with the clean-up
• a growing-up nephew boy who called to ask if he could help and made two pumpkin pies
• a precious parent who's DNA for all things family passed to me
• seven smiling babies I'll smooch and squeeze today
• delectable dishes of all kinds to sit on our Thanksgiving table
• a devoted dearly loved brother-in-law, who is the reason Kaye is here
• an astounding sister, due to her devotion, Roy will end his days here peacefully, with dignity, in his home
• cheery chickie girls who lay lovely eggs daily

and the list could go on for pages and pages.

Hmm, I feel better already. I must be off to turn out the cinnamon rolls, put a turkey in the oven and freshen up Cluckingham Palace before guests arrive.

One last thankful-

I'm thankful for My Little Pixie Girl who celebrates her birthday today. I love you-make it sweet!