Where, oh where has the year gone? It is Thanksgiving week here in the USA, and we all have much to be thankful for. Our world at large has suffered great natural disasters, but we gathered as one around computer screens and televisions to watch the Chilean miners get rescued.

We spent a year welcoming new people into our circle of family and friends, via marriage and births, we held the hands (virtually and in real life) of those who needed hand holding. We cried with and for those who life and love gave a bum hand.

Dad has given us a number of scares, but he is still with us this Thanksgiving, and for his obstinacy, we give thanks. (See, I come by it naturally. ) If you are looking to check in with him, try this.)

After months in rehab after back surgery, my mother-in-law is motoring along at twice the speed and half the pain, even if she is still using the walker, and this is a good thing!

We took a fantastic vacation that showed us how incredibly beautiful this country is, and can’t wait to do it again!

And if you were following the cat saga, it turns out Gandolf has diabetes.   So the aggravation we had regarding his peeing has abated, and for some reason (of which I know not but choose not to question since we just re-carpeted the entire house) he has taken to using the bathroom floor or other non-porous surfaces when the litter box just won’t do. He is a good patient taking his oral medicine, and goes back on Friday to see what the next step is.

It’s the little things that we show our thanks for this season!

Rules to Live By:

1. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

2. It’s all small stuff.

Other small things.

1. Buddha Badges.
2. New carpet!

Guest room with new carpet and trundle bed. This bed (I LOVE Ikea) has three functioning drawers. When I buy the second mattress it will be like a queen bed!)

Bed is ready and waiting for you. We’ll leave the light on.

Cornflower blue in all the bedrooms, celadon green/tan in the living room and hall.

We chose this cedar color for the den.

One of my favorite essays, perfect for Thanksgiving.

Desiderata

– written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s —

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

four other things.

1. Last year’s Thanksgiving blog says all I need to say about Black Friday.
2. Art (mine or anyone else’s) is a wonderful and unique gift for everyone on your list!
3. My Annual Christmas Photo-a-Day is starting soon!!!!
4. A Happy Thanksgiving birthday to my stepdaughter Michelle and my BFF, ET!