83 thoughts on “Our Daily Thread 11-23-16”

  3. Yes it is. I hadn’t noticed the path until Peter mentioned it. It isn’t a “well beaten path.” I wonder where it goes?
    Cheryl probably made it on one of her trips to Western NC.

    Liked by 3 people

  4. It’s not ours, but it looks just like it. Hubby is slowly making a path through the woods out back. He had the girls make road signs to hang on the trees. Sammy’s said, “Pony” and pointed to the right; Emmy’s said, “Space” and pointed up.

    Liked by 7 people

  5. I’ll be hiking a trail like that, only through Redwoods and in the rain, in about four hours. We’re taking seven Adorables out for the morning. They’ve got us outnumbered, 7 to 4 and five of them are loud active girls–six and under.

    Then, because my niece and her family live in Idaho, they want to visit the beach (not far away from the Redwoods), “but we won’t go near the water.”

    This is my reward for being locked up with the computer working on jots and tittles for the last few days–three days of mayhem with children and other family members.

    I expect a good time will be had by all. But I better get some cooking done before I leave . . . .

    Liked by 9 people

  6. Michelle, enjoy the redwoods! I’ve only seen them once, when I was about 12, and I’d been so amazed at the height of some of the pine trees leading up to them, that I was less impressed than I might have been. But I had a little 110 camera (square photos) and I worked really hard to get one of those trees in its viewfinder in a way that showed its top.

    The trail in the picture is our favorite local state park. I thought those white trees said “Come on farther” and invited a picture of the scene.

    Liked by 4 people

  7. That path reminds me of going hunting with my father. Now that I remember they were cold, foggy mornings, and he rarely fired his gun. Many years later he stopped all pretense and took his camera to the hunting camp and his guns to the firing range. Which reminds me that somehow there were always warm sweet potatoes to put in my coat pocket to keep my hands warm (I have some sort of aversion to gloves) and I have put eight giant sweet potatoes in the oven already this morning because while I normally use canned ones to make my sweet potato casserole, my friend L is on restricted sodium so (and I am being overly dramatic here) I am making the sacrifice to procure them the old fashioned way. 😉

    Liked by 3 people

  8. On hospitality from yesterday’s conversation.
    I enjoy what I am doing. I am not above ordering pizza and serving it on paper plates with Solo cups. I have all this china, crystal, and stuff and in my mind what is the point of having it if I don’t use it…so on holidays and special occasions I drag it all out. You should have seen me dancing around, singing along to the music and cleaning.

    On December 17th when I host the family Christmas party my Aunt C is bringing all the paper products, napkins, plates, cup, she did suggest that I used real flatware (She usually hosts it at her beach house but was relieved when I asked if she would mind if I did it). She is also bringing a dessert, sodas, and chicken tenders for the children). My Aunt V is taking me to Costco with her to buy what I need for what I am cooking and she is making the pasta and bread for the meal.
    I am doing the main dish
    First Generation is bringing side dishes
    Second Generation is bringing salads and appetizers
    Third Generation is bringing desserts.

    I told my Aunt C this is good. Usually, I like to control the whole meal so that everything works together but I have realized others like to be involved too.

    As far as putting the tree up? I usually do that the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but if Mr. P wants to do it on Thursday I can roll with that too. 🙂
    After all, I will have a strong, YOUNG, man to go up in the attic for me on Thursday and on Saturday it will just be my worn out husband and me.

    Liked by 4 people

  9. Beautiful header. It looks like it could be in Georgia, too. I have been hiking on trails like that in the past.

    I’ve been to the Redwood park once, too, when Wesley was young. We went with my CA friend who carried us to a lot of places near her home in Mountain View. The giant trees are so impressive. We also went to the Exploratorium. Is that still in the area, Michelle?

    I am so thankful that Art is able to walk more than he could before he went through all his ordeal. His back trouble means he can’t do a lot, but a little is better than none!

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  12. Beautiful photo that looks almost like it could be a painting, too 🙂

    Today’s already crazy, trying to make sure workers will have enough room around window areas to work — which meant digging through some plastic storage boxes, moving a lamp and the computer printer …

    Meanwhile, catastrophe in the spare bathroom where it appears Annie peed on the carpet and it’s saturated to the floor. I have paper towels, baking soda and a fan running in there now, but the floor may be shot.

    It’s where her litter box sits typically but … I moved it into the main bathroom, in plain sight, when all this began and I never thought that she wouldn’t just transition to using the box in a new spot. Luckily, she mainly goes to the bathroom outdoors, it’s only if she has to go overnight (when all the animals are locked in) that she’ll use the box. Or now, the spare bathroom carpet.

    My friend, the cat lady, said I “should have asked” about the litter box move. I said I would have had I even realized it was a question!

    So while I’ve dodged a few bullets in all of this house work, I’ve taken direct hits on some unexpected things. Pretty typical I suppose.

    Now I need to get the Jeep up to the mechanic, get a loaner and get back her in time for the window people — plus I have a phone interview scheduled at 10 a.m. and then work to do from home.

    I’ll have to see if I can use my neighbor’s shower later today or this evening, after all this commotion is behind me and everyone’s left for the day.

    Reminds me of moving in a way …

    I’m a mess, the house is a mess.

    Liked by 4 people

  14. I did not realize a woman could not enter the Roman Catholic confessional booth and receive absolution for an abortion. Frankly, I’m shocked and grieved to learn this– and relieved such a wrong has been rectified. 1 John is what I cling to and want to share:

    “If we say we have no sin the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sin, God who is faithful and just, will forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

    His arms are always open– which is the forgiveness policy of the Pregnancy Counseling Centers around the country. Abortion is NOT an unforgivable sin and I’m horrified women, apparently, were told otherwise.

    So, this is the good news. Thank you to the pope for correcting this

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Michelle, I had to call some local priests for a localized version of this story the other day and one of them, a priest for 45 years, said they’ve been doing it all along, nothing new in practice

    Liked by 2 people

  17. I am a former Catholic and had no idea, Michelle. I marched many, many years ago down main street in our little town with a group of pro-life people. I prayerfully thought about what to put on the sign I would carry. I ended up with “Abortion is forgivable” and a reference for the verse you quoted. I never heard anyone remark on it and the group was filled with Catholics.

    Liked by 2 people

  19. The Exploratorium is still in San Francisco, though it has now moved to the Embarcadero–and was where I picked up my husband from his cruise with Robert Ballard. It’s expensive, but we may haul some Adorables down there sometime soon. Even the youngest is nearly old enough (3) to find it interesting.

    We’ll be visiting the redwoods at Armstrong Grove here in Sonoma County. There’s a nice 1 mile hike even that three year-old can manage and yes, the trees are so tall I get dizzy looking up. Almost as good as Muir Woods in Marin County, though I haven’t been there–why bother when I’ve got them here with easier parking to boot?

    I had hoped to take Kim and BG there during their whirlwind visit, but it’s 45 minutes one way from my house. Next time. 🙂

    We’ll then probably visit the mouth of the Russian River or head all the way to Bodega Bay (watch for birds!) where the kids can run on Doran Beach. It’s stopped raining here, but the redwoods are in a much rainier spot. Maybe I should wear boots?

    Liked by 1 person

  20. And because I know you can’t get enough of these Biddy stories . . .

    As I finish everything up (permission letters, Spellcheck–ha!), I’ve been on a final research frenzy Yesterday I finally traced down the church where one of her students was the pastor–by looking at Google maps (Oh, the research blog posts that are coming)!

    Today, I heard from a crematorium in England where Biddy and her daughter were both cremated–and learned that fact along with where their ashes were scattered.

    As I finish the book!

    All that is left of untied threads is a photo of daughter Kathleen as an adult. There’s still time, but I have no idea where it would come from!

    And yesterday I learned my developmental editor (I get THREE editors on this book! Glory!) is the editor who has worked on all six of my other books. The good news is she knows both my strengths and my weaknesses. I’m hoping together we can make this book sing.

    Over Christmas. C’est la vie.

    I have so much to be thankful for. Surely, AJ, we should have a post for our thanks and praises tomorrow–or even through the weekend?

    Off to hike.

    Liked by 3 people

  21. There was a slight miscalculation because you used to be able to buy a 10oz package of frozen spinach. I was going to double the recipe but I accidentally bought 3 16oz packages. Anyone need any spinach casserole????

    Liked by 2 people

  22. There is an old story about Padre Pio refusing to forgive a woman who had had an abortion. When pressed to know why, he said God told him that the baby would have grown up to be Pope. Just a Weird story I remember from when I worked at EWTN.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. On my way to the mechanic’s my passenger side window, which I’d rolled down to get the dew off, refused to go back up. Sounds like the motor is dead. 🙂 Might as well laugh at this stage. Better it happen on the way to the mechanic’s than tomorrow or on another day when it would just have to stay stuck ‘down’ for a while.

    My house is very cold this morning but I haven’t put the new filter in yet for the heater so I can’t use that. I’m sure it will warm up soon enough with the workmen arriving. Once they’re here maybe I can bury myself in my work computer and ignore it all for a while, though I’m sure it will be noisy.

    We may get rain again Saturday, yay! (Which reminds me, one of the metal windows being replaced has had a tendency to leak when it rains, how nice it will be not to have to roll up towels on that window ledge when the weather turns wet.)

    Liked by 3 people

  25. Good morning. That’s a beautiful header. I showed it to my husband, and he said that looks just like the trail he blazed for our elderly neighbor.

    Continued discussion on hospitality, with a question:

    I’m not hosting Thanksgiving this year, but may very likely host Christmas for my side of the family. There is something I am somewhat dreading, though, and would like to ask your advice, if anyone has any to offer.

    There is one child in the extended family who is very unruly on a regular basis, and dad usually either laughs or does nothing when the boy acts up. Mom (if she’s present — she sometimes comes later to family gatherings than her husband and son do, when she has to work) is getting better about telling her son no, but doesn’t ever enforce any consequences, so her admonitions are nothing more than a joke to the boy, and he continues as he pleases.

    My question is, how do I extend hospitality to all when this kind of stuff ends up going on in my home? The last time we had a gathering here, the boy would continually go to the piano and bang on it, and the noise distressed my parents something awful. I closed the piano lid, but it doesn’t lock, so whenever he thought he could get by with it, off he’d go to the piano, slide the lid open and bang around again.

    My sibling often gets offended when someone tries to tell her child what to do or not do, or when we try to speak with her about his behavior. I’d like to not have to deal with this in my home, for everyone’s sake, whose conversations get interrupted and so on.

    I’d like to be able to communicate my concerns before we get to the heat of the moment, but I am almost certain it would backfire if I tried to say anything before the day, because that is what has happened in the past. Sister gets mad, and family relationships are strained until everyone just sort of moves on eventually.

    What’s a hostess to do? Cover the piano lid with decorative objects so he’s not so quick to push the lid open and play? Just deal with every instance as they come up for the few hours they are here?

    I don’t have a big house, so when there are about 20-something people here, it gets crowded. The younger generation tend to hang out in the basement, but they get sick of having to corral this particular cousin all the time, so they send him upstairs to the older generation to get a break from him, and that’s where my parents (and the piano) are…

    Frustrating…

    Liked by 2 people

  26. 6 Arrows, seems to me like it’s your home, your rules . . . but I know it isn’t that simple. Maybe a general notice to everyone that no one may play on the piano without prior permission. If he asks to play on it, give him give minutes (or whatever). Or even pre-empt it by telling him that at a certain time, he can play on it for five minutes. I’d also be inclined (maybe) to think about using it as an opportunity to show him the proper way to play it. Show him a chord and see if he can copy it, or something along that line. (I’ve never had piano lessons, so I don’t know what you’d do.) Or simply move to the piano before he does (or ask one of your daughters to) and play something softly. And then if he tries to play it loudly, tell him that isn’t the way it’s played in this house and show him the right way.

    Do you have noisy boy stuff and a place he can play with it?

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Haha, hospitality. Well, one of the door installers just had to use the spare bathroom, horror of horrors. Oh well! 🙂 And the door knob is off the kitchen door, so it’s tricky just coming and going through there. Well,m hey. At some point you just have to stop apologizing.

    Fun house.

    Meanwhile, there’s more drilling and crashing and pounding going on, the dogs are stressed — we’re staying closed off in the living room while they all go at it in the back of the house.

    Oy, our space has been invaded — now they’re going at it in the demolished bathroom, getting that old metal window out of there.

    But I’m glad they got here early, shortly after 8 … maybe it’ll be done by 2 or 3? Maybe sooner …

    Like

  28. Ooh, the double hung bathroom window is in place, nice ! 🙂 So glad I held out for keeping the big 1920s window space that was original in there. (Thanks Kim)

    Liked by 2 people

  29. 6Arrows, Cheryl was much more gracious than I am. At this point your piano is your work tool. Banging on it will cause it to get out of tune—am I correct?
    Could it be moved up against a wall or turned in such a way that he could not open it? Do you have a pretty table cloth or something you could drape over it to give the silent message that it is off limits?
    For all my huff and puff around here, I am very non confrontational in my real life. Perhaps you could gently explain to him that you will show him how to properly play it but it is to be respected as any musical instrument should be?

    Liked by 2 people

  30. Cover it securely. Nobody needs to touch it and nobody needs to see it. Your house, he needs to behave according to your rules whether his folks like it or not. Dealt with it with the grandsons when they were here. Son told me to go for it, I did. Of course, they are on the other side of the country now so it is easier.

    Liked by 3 people

  31. Yeah, Kim, I thought of that too, that it’s a tool and not a toy. Children don’t get on my computer, and they have access to the books I allow them access. My inclination would be that he can’t touch it at all on this visit, but with the promise “Next time you come, if you want me to show you a few things about playing with it correctly, we can do that.” But my hunch is to think that might not go well (esp. if his parents aren’t cooperative), and thus to keep it off limits altogether or to say he can have five minutes if he will play on it the way you tell him to. (And then if he does well, maybe he can earn another five.)

    In real life, I’m very no-nonsense with children who don’t listen well. I’ve been known to give “the look” to strangers’ children in the store on multiple occasions.

    Liked by 1 person

  33. The Pumpkin
    John Greenleaf Whittier, 1807-1892

    Oh, the greenly and fair in the lands of the sun,
    The vines of the gourd and the rich melon run,
    And the rock and the tree and the cottage enfold,
    With broad leaves all greenness and blossoms all gold,
    Like that which o’er Nineveh’s prophet once grew,
    While he waited to know that his warning was true,
    And longed for the storm-cloud, and listened in vain
    For the rush of the whirlwind and the red fire-rain.

    On the banks of the Xenil the dark Spanish maiden
    Comes up with the fruit of the tangled vine laden;
    And the Creole of Cuba laughs out to behold
    Through orange-leaves shining the broad spheres of gold;
    Yet with dearer delight from his home in the North,
    On the fields of his harvest the Yankee looks forth,
    Where crook-necks are coiling and yellow fruit shines,
    And the sun of September melts down on his vines.

    Ah! on Thanksgiving day, when from the East and from the West,
    From the North and from the South comes the pilgrim and guest;
    When the gray-haired New Englander sees round his board
    The old broken links of affection restored,
    When the care-wearied man seeks his mother once more,
    And the worn matron smiles where the girl smiled before,
    What moistens the lip and what brightens the eye?
    What calls back the past, like the rich Pumpkin pie?

    Oh, fruit loved of boyhood! the old days recalling,
    When wood-grapes were purpling and brown nuts were falling!
    When wild, ugly faces we carved in it’s skin,
    Glaring out through the dark with a candle within!
    When we laughed round the corn-heap, with hearts all in tune,
    Our chair a broad pumpkin, – our lantern the moon,
    Telling tales of the fairy who traveled like steam
    In a pumpkin-shell coach, with two rats for her team!

    Then thanks for thy present! none sweeter or better
    E’er smoked from an oven or circled a platter!
    Fairer hands never wrought at a pastry more fine,
    Brighter eyes never watched o’er its baking, than thine!
    And the prayer, which my mouth is too full to express,
    Swells my heart that thy shadow may never be less,
    That the days of thy lot may be lengthened below,
    And the fame of thy worth like a pumpkin-vine grow,
    And thy life be as sweet, and its last sunset sky
    Golden-tinted and fair as thy own Pumpkin pie!

    Liked by 2 people

  34. Just brainstorming, 6 Arrows. I like using a cover over the piano and using it as a special dessert buffet with too much on it to move off and so it no longer reminds the child ofva piano.

    Would you have a corner in which you could set up a pup tent for a special place to go to do quiet computer games or drawing or other quiet activities? This would be a special getaway rather than seen as a punishment/isolation. Maybe a rule of only one at a time? It would need to be offered to all as a reward for good behavior (offer to adults as well for humor’s sake).

    Liked by 1 person

  37. Thank you for all the suggestions!

    Cheryl: Do you have noisy boy stuff and a place he can play with it?

    Well, we have Tonka dump trucks and such and 3 acres of woods out back. 😉

    Kim & Cheryl, you are both right to note that the piano is a teaching tool, and not a toy. And the action and pedals can get damaged through excessively rough playing, especially on an instrument that has seen as many hours of playing as mine has over the 27 years I’ve owned it (bought new).

    Perhaps I could hang up a sign saying, “Welcome to Aunt ______’s Piano Studio. Anyone touching the keys of the piano agrees to a Christmas-themed piano lesson at the rate of $100, payable in advance. Parent and prospective student will be sent home before the lesson to retrieve cash or checkbook, if necessary.”

    Or “You play it, you get the honors of paying for the piano’s first regulation evah!”

    LOL. OK, just kidding.

    Actually, here is what I am going to do, and Kim and Mumsee, thank you for the suggestion:

    Reading your comments helped me remember that when I was cleaning in my parents’ basement last month, I found something called The Neat Sheet Ground Cover. My parents weren’t using it and didn’t want it, so I brought it home, thinking it might be something my husband could use, say to cover part of the woodpile. Well, guess what?

    He’s set with all of his wood coverings, and didn’t need it, but I’ve hung onto it, thinking I might have a use for it someday, and now I discovered it is the perfect size to cover my piano!

    Yay!

    Now, which side should show when I cover the piano — the royal blue side, or the turquoise side? 😉 Not really Christmas colors… 😉

    Liked by 1 person

  38. I’d think covering it would be a sufficient signal, especially with stuff on top of it 🙂 Maybe something that triggers a big siren to scare them away and shame them all at the same time 🙂 I’m mean.

    Haha, reminds me of a family story from my aunt and uncle who had a regular holiday guest with a bad habit of poking into kitchen cupboards just out of snoopiness. He’d slip into the kitchen when no one else was there and start opening things.

    One holiday, my aunt rigged up a pan of water that dumped right onto his head when he opened the cupboard door.

    I’m making good progress on my story AND the window/door guys say they’re “almost” done already! Faster than expected.

    No bathtub delivery yet …

    And no call or text from the mechanic about what ails the Jeep.

    Maybe I can get the dogs to the dog park later today if we’re lucky.

    Liked by 3 people

  39. Janice, I didn’t see your comments until after I posted, but that’s a good idea, trying to make it look less like a disguised piano. And we do have a little tent… Hmmm, great ideas! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  41. I got these boots awhile back and have now started wearing tham since it is finally cooler. Yesterday, while at Marshall’s, I saw some cuff like coverings for boots and wondered if such accessories are used with this type boot? The cuff thingies are made like an open leg sock without the foot part but with a cuff, like a boot liner of sorts. Fashionistas, I need help. These boots are comfortable. I have the taupe color.
    http://www.dsw.com/shoe/lucky+brand+dunes+bootie?prodId=377625

    Like

  45. I’m by no means a fashionista, but my advice is to wear what’s comfortable, beautiful and useful to you, Janice. I don’t concern myself with who is wearing what at what age, and only buying styles that my age group tends toward. I wouldn’t even know what those styles are, if there is a mature-lady style of footwear. I’m not very observant that way, and tend to think we are rather an eclectic bunch, anyway. 🙂

    Those are very nice-looking boots, BTW, and I think would look good either with or without the cuffs.

    Two cents from a non-expert. 😉

    Liked by 2 people

  49. Interviewed someone today just before she was heading off to LAX to go to Wisconsin — where she’s spending Thanksgiving with her friend who runs a bird sanctuary.

    Since there is a much loved pet turkey in the house, they won’t be eating turkey for Thanksgiving 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  50. I love boots. 🙂

    So the animals are all spooked by the new, more complicated (2 flaps) pet door in the wall that they now have to get used to using with the new non-pet door sliding glass door.

    Cowboy’s been in and out a couple times using it, but very reluctantly — it’s like watching a kid run by a haunted house just because there’s no other way to get to where he’s going.

    Tess won’t through it at all (well, she did once as I held both flaps up and dangled some cheese on the outside, but otherwise, forget it). The cat stands outside and meows at it. Waiting for her doorman, I suppose.

    Liked by 5 people

  54. Good advice on dealing with the piano problem. I will just say, be ready to deal with whatever else he comes up with. And be gentle but firm, don’t worry too much about the parents, it is your house. And everyone else in attendance will be blessing you. And you may have a positive influence on that boy. I’m sure whatever you do, he won’t forget it.

    Liked by 4 people

  56. 🙂 I saw that photo on fb, DJ. Someone posted it as an example of why we live where we live.

    Just saw my daughter wear her boots with boot cuffs. They looked quite silly without the boots, which was when I first saw them. They were very cute with the boots, however.

    Liked by 3 people

  57. Kizzy–they looked like the top of some knitted socks. Sorta a wide bracelet for legs. These had a cute button on them and were a couple of different colors.. I would imagine there would be various kinds.

    Liked by 2 people

  58. Before Little Guy got out of school, Nightingale was busy with cooking for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving dinner. She is a great cook (inherited her talent from her dad), & loves to do everything from scratch. The other day, Chickadee was disappointed that the long loaf of Italian bread was left to dry out to become stuffing, not to be eaten as bread for dinner.

    The Garlic & Chive Mashed Potatoes have been made, & I helped taste-test them. Delicious! But the Cranberry Sauce is a little too tart for me.

    Then I got to wash some pots & pans & utensils, & clean the counters. (She didn’t ask me to, but I did them anyway, cuz that’s what I do.)

    She also made a couple Date Nut Breads, a holiday tradition going back to Hubby’s mom’s family. When Hubby took over making it, we discovered it didn’t have to be dry, but could be nice & moist. 😉 Nightingale, who is now in charge of making it, makes it nice & moist, too. We’ll probably have some with breakfast. (They like it with cream cheese, but I like it as it is.)

    Liked by 3 people

  60. 6 Arrows: May I add my 2¢ to the piano discussion? Have you considered telling the boy’s parents in advance that the piano is your work tool and not a toy, so would they please inform their son that he is not to touch the piano at all without asking? Or make it clear to them that they get to pay for tuning the piano if he plays with it and messes it up? As a parent (blessed with well-behaved children and grandchildren) I would appreciate it if people tell me such things ahead of time. If they knew the rules ahead of time, perhaps they would abide by them. Or be so offended and get angry at you that they stay away from the family gathering.

    Liked by 1 person

  62. Strangest comment on my social media thread seeking quotes for my story on Taps being played every night in our community:

    “Frequently we schedule our jacuzzi sessions around that time and turn off the jets so we can hear it”

    This is California …

    Liked by 2 people

  63. Peter, good thoughts. That’s one advantage of a keyboard, that they can be played silently with headphones. I can’t afford to buy a keyboard, though, unfortunately.

    Talking to the parents ahead of time might work if I framed it from a business perspective, rather than a behavioral perspective. (“This is my teaching piano, so the day of our family gathering, we won’t be using it.”) OTOH, if anyone (the parents or myself) even mentions the piano to the boy, that might draw him to it like a magnet, lol.

    I got another idea when I read Jo’s comment about being ready to deal with other things that could come up with him.

    The piano is very close to a table on which we have our 40-gallon tank for our turtle, and there are safety issues that need to be kept in mind, mixing water with electricity. (A filter attached to the inside back wall on the left side of the tank, and a submersible heater in the back right of the tank, are plugged into different outlets, the heater cord coming close to the left side of the piano. The electrical cords coming out of the tank of water aren’t a problem as long as the cords are draped so there is a drip loop.)

    I think (I hope) the boy’s parents would be vigilant about keeping him away from the piano/turtle tank area if I told them of the danger involved in getting mixed up in those cords and the ones for the heat bulb and other tank lighting, and that I wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt. (Which, of course, I dont.)

    (I don’t want the turtle terrorized, either.)

    Maybe I should announce ahead of time, in a group email, that for those safety reasons, children won’t be allowed in the living room.

    And I’ll just plant a chair between the piano and table and let that be my lookout post to intercept the boy if he decides to disregard that rule.

    I appreciate all the thoughts offered here. They are a great help as I think this through. Thanks, guys.

    Liked by 3 people

  64. Janice, thanks for sharing that Pentatonix video. I love that group.

    My only quibble with that song is how they pronounce “comfort.” I had it drummed into my head for years and years as a singer that the second syllable should be pronounced “fort” rather than “firt.” So I noticed every single “comfirt” in that rendition. 😉

    Minor complaint, though. They’re a great group, and the video was enjoyable to watch.

    Liked by 1 person

  67. Kim talked me into it. The deed is done and the tom barely noticed. I just picked him up off the perch, walked around the yard with him, perfectly happy and then….well, you don’t need to know the rest of the story.

    Liked by 5 people

  70. First Arrow is on his way home for a 4-day weekend. 🙂 Second Arrow will be home later in the weekend.

    Tomorrow morning is church, then we’re going to my mother-in-law’s.

    I won’t be on here tomorrow, so want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! May your day be blessed — dear Canadians, too! 🙂

    This is one of my favorite Thanksgiving hymns, a video I shared here some years ago.

    Blessings.

    Liked by 2 people

  71. Gorgeous day in northern CA, but I’m exhausted.

    My EMT was in that traffic last night, tonight and tomorrow night. She flies up here on Friday.

    A good night to veg. Cooking comes tomorrow.

    Liked by 1 person

  72. Oooh, DJ, add a few more stripes and you could have a candy-cane traffic jam!

    The “new” header photo was of the same park as the trail. I like the variety of autumn color represented in it.

    My husband and I are home from a few hours in the hospital. The doctor doesn’t really know what’s wrong with my father-in-law, though he named two possibilities. It looks like we’re doing Thanksgiving dinner as usual, except that a plate will be taken to Mom at the hospital because she’s going to stay there with Dad. It isn’t clear when he will be released, possibly tomorrow.

    Liked by 2 people

  75. That is a beautiful photo up there..and the path reminds me of one traveled by me and my cousins on my uncle’s farm in Ohio….sweet memories!
    I worked until 2 today….stopped at the grocery for last minute stuff….changed sheets on the beds, vacuumed, mopped, cleaned bathrooms, set the table for 12, dusted, baked pies, made pumpkin bread, jello salads, cut up potatoes and now I am waiting for daughter and family to arrive in about 2 hours……I’m exhausted!! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  82. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
    Have a wonderful day, Wanderers ❤

    This is a day when turkeys transform into people. Those are the truly lucky turkeys. The unlucky ones remain as turkeys…waiting until next time.

    AJ is making pumpkin pies right now?

    Like

  83. Happy Thanksgiving Janice.
    We were having breakfast. Elvera said, “Is this Thanksgiving Day” I said, “Yes, you need to be thankful today.” She said, “I am. I’m thankful for this mouthful of food I’m eating now.”
    I didn’t say, but she should also be thankful that she can hear the clothes washer going. Washing clothes is not an event these days. My mother used to use a washboard.
    Do any of you know what a washboard is?

    Liked by 1 person

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