THANKSGIVING DAY

Thanksgiving.  When families travel across the country,
 across town, across the street  to  gather
together in fellowship and love
around a table laden with favorite food,                                                      
offering  a prayer of gratitude to our
Creator for blessings received                                    
and hope renewed. Then, stories
shared of other Thanksgiving Days
like passing a baton generation to
generation.  Always some are
missing, leaving an empty
chair forever in our heart.
Sometimes it's a parent or
grandparent, husband or wife;
Or maybe an aunt, uncle, or
brother. Their stories
become part of  the stories we
tell;  Keeping them close
holding them dear.

                                                                          

A White Thanksgiving

Am I  dreaming of a white Christmas ?  Yes.  Just like the one Bing Crosby used to sing about . But a "white" Thanksgiving ?  No. Absolutely not. Yet, that's exactly what we're having this year in north Idaho - a very white and bitter cold Thanksgiving.

Instead of  warm autumn colors - red, soft yellow and   burnt orange  that so typically decorate the earth this time of year, and help bring to mind pilgrim's pride and Horn of Plenty,   the ground is frozen,  covered in snowy white. Trees flocked  like a picture on a  winter postcard, with  temps ranging   from minus 7 to 11.

Deer  come closer to the house looking for something green to nibble on; wild  turkey huddle together and take cover under low laying branches. Inside,  I bundle up in front of the fireplace  to  plan our  "white" Thanksgiving Day  dinner,  then pray a prayer of thanks for the beauty of   God's  creation (and long underwear and snowshoes) ,  and remember there's always much to be thankful   for.

TIME FLIES

How fast hours of the day pass by
like a bird flying
from one tree to another
perched for awhile
on a piny branch
then in a moments time
wings outstretched
he takes flight  again
and is gone

Beagle Sam

He wasn't Lassie or Rin Tin Tin
he couldn't do tricks
or fetch a stick
A bit overweight and
kind of slow;
Never did  win
"Best of Show"
Still, Sam E. Dobbs
was a "super star" dog,
(at least to us, who knew
him best)
Good  natured and
gentle, this beloved pet
captured our hearts
from early puppy-hood
Faithful and true,
he'd wait
at the door
happily wagging
his white tipped tail;
Those   naturally sad,
sweet Beagle eyes
like a beacon,
would  beckon us close
to hold his paw,  and
scratch his head.

On  afternoon  walks
he'd scamper through
piny woods, down
a thicket trail
with nose close
to the ground
following a
scent;  His long
floppy  ears
flying in the wind.
After a while, I'd whistle
and call his name.

We  miss  Beagle  Sam,
We miss him a lot.

Sam E. Beagle

Sam E. Dobbs is dying
a faithful and loving dog
he lays nestled in
familiar blankets
laboring for  breath.
When i come near
he doesn't move
except to lift his eyes
as if to call me closer
to scratch his ears
and let him know
i'm by his side.