Transition

One by
One by
Twos and
Threes
The petals
Fall from
Off the trees.
Crimson, yellow,
Orange, maize
Red and bright
Before my gaze.
Transfixed I stand
More hypnotized
Than if I stared
Into the eyes
Of some great master.
Here today the softened
Breeze
That paints the garnet
In the leaves;
But gone tomorrow will they be,
Leaving but the barren tree.

"Let us be thankful that there still is sunshine,
that we still can glimpse the blue of the sky
and in our onward way, continue to look up. Let us
be thankful for friends with kindly smile and
cheerful words. This is a time for grateful thanksgiving."
Author unknown

It has been almost two months since the terrorist attack and we have bombed Afghanistan and delivered food to the starving in that time span. We have had antrax mailed to important people, our media, our senate, and some innocents have had to pay the price for it. I am not panicking about it, because I know we have the antibiotics to deal with it. I do worry that small pox or something as serious and deadly will surface. Bio-terrorism is not something I was ready to deal with.

Its this time of year that I like to thank those around me for being there for me. Of course, we all know that its good to remember others all through the year, but I like to make sure at this time of year.

Things I am thankful for this year (and every year!):

• My kids...they are the joy of my life.
• My higher power...for keeping me sober and for giving me two wonderful kids to love.
• My health care provider...who has helped me to realize some problems in my life and is helping me to correct them.
• My cats...who are there to give me unconditional love every day.
• Life...I am thankful for being alive and happy.
• My friends...both on and off line...for being there for me when I've needed them.
• My family...especially my nieces, who have stood beside me when others have deserted me.
• My sense of adventure...that allows me to move and meet new people, to see new places without worry.
• The ability to create...I love to create websites and pages and I am thankful for having the ability to do so.

It's time to reflect on all that we have. Time for us to be counting our blessings. A great place to see what we can be thankful for is to look in our kids' bedrooms, preferably when they are asleep. I know I am grateful for my children's presence. Back when I was 21 and single I was doing some really stupid things with my life....alcohol...drugs. Then my higher power decided to let me get pregnant (after all, I WAS using the pill). The result of that pregnancy was that I recieved a beautiful child. My life changed around...did a 180 degree turn...for the better. I became more focused on life and what is important in life. I had a child I was responsible for now...and I was alone. How would I ever be able to raise a child alone who would turn out to be respectable and respected? That was a tough decision for me.

Okay, now its your turn. I would love to add your contributions to a thankfulness page in December's issue. Please email me and I will include it in next month's issue.

Tom Turkey stopped by and told me he wants you to know how to cook the perfect bird, so I have included his ideas here. Of course, Thanksgiving would not be complete without the complimentary foods. I have a few favorite recipes here

For the History of Thanksgiving in different cultures, please follow this link.

Also read "Thankful" for more inspiration.

Thanksgiving is a time when many of us sit around the dinner table and give thanks for our blessings. When we are eating to our hearts content or sitting in front of the TV watching football afterwords, please remember those who are less fortunate than you and who could use some encouragement or some help with their daily living. Give where you can to your favorite charity. I know a lot has been given to the NYC funds, but there are other charities out there who REALLY need our help, those in our own LOCAL communities, so please remember them this year, as so many local people depend our generosity to have a decent holiday season.

This month, I have begun to make a recipe section. If you have any recipes you want to add, please mail them to me and I will put them in.

I lost my job the first of October, and have been struggling with just living day to day, so I have put a mall on this website. I would appreciate any help you can give me by purchasing through my site. Just click on the link below and see what there is to offer. There is a little for everyone. I will be adding more stores as I find them, so check back often. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.

Your editor, Sande

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