Seventh Day of Thanksgiving

I am thankful for shoes. I do go barefoot a lot, especially in the summer months, but I am so grateful for comfortable, protective shoes. Some of my shoes have endured my abuse for years and I can't get rid of them because they are like old friends. Now that I have learned how very worn shoes can affect the tendons and arches of my feet, I realize that I cannot wear those old friends. But they will probably sit in my closet forever because looking at them is a reminder of many places I've been, things I've done, people I've walked beside, danced with, climbed with. Ah, sweet memories. Thanks, shoe friends.

Sixth Day of Thanksgiving

Doctors! I am so thankful for doctors! My life has a quality that it couldn't possibly have if I hadn't been blessed to have been treated by a knowledgeable member of the medical community. Thank goodness some men and women will take endure the time, energy and expense--and a number of other personal sacrifices--to learn how to help the rest of us enjoy life more fully.

And I won't even list the number of times I've had to take advantage of their skills and knowledge. I LOVE doctors! (And their nurses!)

Some people I'm pretty thankful for on Day... whatever... of Thanksgiving

1. People who aren't very good at stuff, because I look better.
2. Ugly people, because I look prettier.
3. Fat people, because I look skinnier.
4. Dumb people, because I look smarter.
5. Really, really, really old people, because I look younger.

Tonight I am going to mention a few things I'm thankful I DON'T have: missing limbs, blindness, cancer, missing children, abusive husband, extreme poverty, scary neighbors, no food in my refrigerator, no education, no car, no children, no friends, no idea why I'm here, where I came from or where I'm going. Yes, the list could go on and on and on. I'm one extremely grateful person!!!

And now I'm going to bed. It's been a very nice day but now I'm tired--going to get some rest at the end of this day of rest!

Fourth and Fifth Days of Thanksgiving

Oops! I thought about posting last night and got distracted and suddenly I was in dreamland. So tonight I'll take care of two days at once.

I am thankful for food. I LOVE food! I love planning menus, I love cooking, I love eating. For most of my life I could eat anything I wanted, whenever I wanted, and never had to worry about weight gain or any other problems. Then I reached middle age. All those years of being able to enjoy food without guilt caught up with me. But I've learned good eating habits and am more conscious of what and when and how much I eat and I can still enjoy food. Sometimes I feel guilty but most of the time I'm just glad that I live where I have plenty and never have to go hungry. I know I need to give thanks for what I have because there are so many who go to bed hungry every night and wonder if they'll get anything to eat the next day.

I am thankful for airplanes and cars and trains and all the other modes of transportation that are means for being with those we love. Because of the airplanes and cars we have been able to see all of our children and grandchildren this year, and in less than a month we'll be in Virginia awaiting the arrival of grandbaby number fifteen, Noah Badger.

And one more: I'm thankful for a good, thoughtful husband who will get supper on the table while I write in my blog. He's a nice guy.

Third Day of Thanksgiving

Paper. I am surrounded by it here in this room. The minutes from the meeting I attended tonight, the records from which I am typing the Copper Hills Ninth Ward history, family history projects, phone directories, envelopes in which I can mail letters to my friends, a fax from our wonderful insurance agent who is trying to help us set Carson City straight, the notice from the sanitation company letting us know when they'll pick up the garbage next week, music I've printed for my students, receipts and bills that are all evidence that we live and we are noticed, books, books, books, boxes, the door, the beautiful trim on the door and walls, the hardwood floor just outside the door...oops, now I'm getting into the cousins of paper. It's the paper family for which I am so grateful. The posterity of trees. Isn't it wonderful how our needs have been provided for, and we can keep it all lasting longer if we are mindful and use it all wisely.

I haven't even begun to name many ways paper (tree posterity) is displayed throughout my home: music, photographs of family, my piano, the legs of the sofa, the table and chairs, the desks, etc., etc., etc.

Now I am going to get one of my favorite papers: my scriptures. I love to read them and it is part of my routine before I snuggle under the covers. And that leads to another one of my favorite blessings, but you'll have to wait until another day to read about it. Good-night!

The Second Day of Thanksgiving

Music, music, music! Oh, how my life has been blessed by music! I am so thankful that my mother taught me to play the piano when I was a child. The experiences I have had in my life because I played the piano have been extensive and awesome. I know people I wouldn't have known otherwise. I have had to overcome a great lack of confidence, I have learned theory, I have developed skills that have given me opportunities to give service most of my fifty-plus years.

And my parents also taught all of our family to sing, to play the ukelele, guitar, accordion or rhythm instruments, and I have very fond memories of performing with my family from very young years--for church, schools, soldiers, the wounded, etc.

I could go on and on and on about how music has blessed my life, but I'm admittedly quite tired tonight and I'm going to get ready for bed now. You can bet that as soon as I wake in the morning there will be a song on my mind, most likely one of the pieces one of the Spring Creek High School or Middle School choirs are rehearsing daily to be able to perform at their Christmas concert. What a way to start the day!