Giving Thanks

Howdy Pilgrims,

Happy Turkey Day from a chilly land of sunshine. And yes, for real chilly, a cool 37 degrees this morning.  My Thanksgiving tradition is to do something different each year.  I guess by default that was going to happen this year, no matter what I chose to do.  Several gracious invitations were extended to me, however I have opted for hanging with Jak and making corn chowder for my midday feast.

Because today is really supposed to be about giving thanks I have decided that I will share 13 things that I am grateful for this year (13 because it's 2013).  So, in no particular order, here they are:

1.  I am thankful for Jak.  He has been such a good companion through all the changes this year.  His easy going nature and great personality make my world a better place each day.

2.  I am grateful for the opportunity to pick up my life and move to a land that I love.

3.  I am thankful for the dog beach.  For the life lessons/metaphors that I have gained there and for the people I have crossed paths and walked paths with there.

4.  I am grateful for the natural beauty that I am exposed to so much here.  The amazing evening skies, the wildlife, the treasures that wash up on shore.

5.  I am thankful to live where I can get outside and walk pretty much everyday.  I feel so much better when I can be out in the air and be warm at the same time.

6.  I am grateful for all the love that has shown up in my mailbox during my months here.  Letters, cards, packages, they all surely make my day.

7.  I am thankful to have a job.  Though the learning curve was steep, everyone there has been great.  I wear my title as store matriarch with pride.

8.   I am grateful for sweet tea and biscuits.  So much better in the south.  I am adding red potatoes to this one also since I love me some skins on mashed potatoes and will also be putting some in my corn chowder.

9.  I am thankful for the laid back, friendlier lifestyle here.  It suits my demeanor so much better. 

10.  I am grateful for my friends.  The love, support and generosity astound me.  When I look around at the people I am surrounded by, I think I've done right by myself. 

11.  I am thankful for my family.  Without them, all this would not be possible.  I was given a solid foundation in life and at 36 I finally figured out how to have roots and wings.

12.  I am grateful for laughter.  It is such an important part of life.  Whether it be laughing at myself or laughing with others it is chicken soup for the soul.

13.  I am thankful for the this blog.  As an avenue to communicate with my peeps, as a platform to share my many life metaphors and as a creative outlet for the thoughts in my head.  Thank you all for reading it.  I greatly appreciate it.

It seems appropriate to leave you with my latest metaphor.  Because it's what I do.  Yesterday I was walking down the beach and I saw a large bird up ahead eating something.  I assumed it was vulture (they freak me out a little since it looks like their brains are on the outside of their heads) but as I got closer I realized it was not.  It was a bald eagle.  So what at first sight seemed to be something daunting turned out to be the symbol for perseverance and freedom.  Lesson learned.

Happy Thanksgiving.  Eat, enjoy, and laugh.  A lot.

Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope