The leaves on the dogwood tree behind our house have turned crimson, so I accept that autumn has arrived. Until those leaves turn, I stay skeptical in spite of weather, calendar dates, and fall festivals. I am thankful for my dogwood trees. If I had to specify, I probably would say dogwood tree are among my favorite trees. But, I adore oak trees, gorgeous maples, and sweet gum trees. I love pines that whisper, and the stately spruce. Recently when we were “up north,” I saw a grove of birch trees and swore they also had to be counted as favorites. I could name you a catalogue of trees and give each one its due. Yes, I am thankful for trees. I worry about the Amazonian forests, and how many of those trees are being cut down to make room for industry. Horrors! We need trees, tall ones, short ones, trees of all sizes, shapes, and varieties.
But trees can be dangerous. A huge tree fell upon our house last fall and damaged walls, windows, gutters, and the chimney. Alas. But I am thankful. This past month, the anti-lock system on my car gave out; the right click button on my computer mouse stopped functioning; the house hasn’t yet been completely repaired; the TV antenna on our roof got unhooked; and the basal carcinoma on my shin had to be surgically removed. There were other minor troubles, but I accept each as a testament to life being lived. As I say, I am thankful.
Given that this is November, the month we Americans dedicate to elections, football games, and thanksgiving, my thoughts seem timely. A friend told me about visiting a woman and thinking they would have a lovely chat. My friend said, “All that woman wanted to do was complain.” It made me think.
So, I am thankful for family, good neighbors, friends, books to read, a warm house, indoor plumbing, postal service, newspapers, a flag to fly, medicine, libraries, churches, arts councils, memories, theatre productions and concerts to enjoy, and letters. Boxes of letters. I don’t know what to do with all these beautiful letters I have received over the years from friends and family members. I can identify from whom they came based on the handwritten addresses on the outside envelopes. I love seeing those handwritten letters, the signatures, each demonstrating a special slant or flair. It makes me wonder if youngsters today have any clue as to how to write using a pen? Remember how we had to practice lovely cursive and round vowels and form the ups and downs of various letters? I digress. Since I am trying to decide how best to manage these boxes of letters, I am especially thankful for words and language, stories and plays, music and art. Yes, and for America, a country of many trees, and for people who value trees, plant trees, and use trees to make paper. I like paper and words ---especially on paper.
But trees can be dangerous. A huge tree fell upon our house last fall and damaged walls, windows, gutters, and the chimney. Alas. But I am thankful. This past month, the anti-lock system on my car gave out; the right click button on my computer mouse stopped functioning; the house hasn’t yet been completely repaired; the TV antenna on our roof got unhooked; and the basal carcinoma on my shin had to be surgically removed. There were other minor troubles, but I accept each as a testament to life being lived. As I say, I am thankful.
Given that this is November, the month we Americans dedicate to elections, football games, and thanksgiving, my thoughts seem timely. A friend told me about visiting a woman and thinking they would have a lovely chat. My friend said, “All that woman wanted to do was complain.” It made me think.
So, I am thankful for family, good neighbors, friends, books to read, a warm house, indoor plumbing, postal service, newspapers, a flag to fly, medicine, libraries, churches, arts councils, memories, theatre productions and concerts to enjoy, and letters. Boxes of letters. I don’t know what to do with all these beautiful letters I have received over the years from friends and family members. I can identify from whom they came based on the handwritten addresses on the outside envelopes. I love seeing those handwritten letters, the signatures, each demonstrating a special slant or flair. It makes me wonder if youngsters today have any clue as to how to write using a pen? Remember how we had to practice lovely cursive and round vowels and form the ups and downs of various letters? I digress. Since I am trying to decide how best to manage these boxes of letters, I am especially thankful for words and language, stories and plays, music and art. Yes, and for America, a country of many trees, and for people who value trees, plant trees, and use trees to make paper. I like paper and words ---especially on paper.
RSS Feed
