Elizabeth Wilder's Blog

Turkey Trot

 

A most Happy Thanksgiving to all!

This is a photo I took of a Tom in our backyard last Winter.  I believe he is thankful for his freedom and the bevy of hens that surround him.  He is doing his best to show off his masculinity but it seems the gals are more grateful for the cracked corn my husband just tossed their way.  

I am knee deep (literally) in moving boxes so don't really have time to work on my blog but I wanted to share my daughter's blog at www.virtual-zen.com .  She says it all for me.  I have added a comment if she should allow it to be published :-)

I am thankful for this sunny day and the time I will be spending with our sons and families this afternoon (especially since I don't have to do anything, even a pie!).  Wonder if we'll have wild turkeys (the ones with feathers) in PA.  4 days until we head south but I'm going off now to languish in a special dinner by the best chef ever! (Spoken by a prejudiced Mom.) 

Bells of Thanks

I've tried to keep things organized in our packing for PA.  I have lists of my lists but crossing off as item as complete is such a thrill - yes I am that old.  Just a bit ago I reached for a new roll of packing tape as of course I keep extra at all times.  But the two pack that I knew exactly where it was - wasn't.  Somehow they must have burroughed under one pile or another and here I was with a box half closed - heaven forbid!  After a cursory search, I grabbed my car keys and drove off in rain and fog (my most favorite driving conditions - NOT) to Walmart - 5 miles away.  Please give me credit for not spending the next 2 hours turning my carefully organized piles upside down because I know they are in the house - somewhere.  Wally-World (as my son would say) was decked to the beams with Christmas joy.  Merry Christmas was playing on a loop and SALE signs were well placed to stop me in my tracks.  Focus Betty - Focus! I chatted briefly with the greeter who over the years has become like a life long friend and headed directly to the tape.  I knew exactly where it was as I have a thing for office supplies.  On sale of course, so bought 2 new packs just in case some other rolls decided to play hide and seek.  "Merry Christmas" started to soften my reserve so I started a mantra - I will not be sucked in - I will not be sucked in - I etc.  Hope it wasn't audible.  Paid for my purchase and quickly headed out the door with just a tiny wave at the greeter.  As I grumbled my way back into the miserable weather, I was stopped in my tracks at the sound of bells that truly start my holiday season.  There in the raw mist stood an elderly gentleman faithfully ringing his tiny bell next to his bright red kettle.  As I am apt to well up at things that touch my heart, I always think of my Dad who was so appreciative of the Salvation Army.  He was a WWII Seabee and in the misery of Okinawa, they were always there to comfort even it were just a cup of hot coffee and a fresh made doughnut.  Some organizations actually charged a dime for this - never the Salvation Army.  Many were lifted by their spiritual and giving sacrifice to the servicemen.  So there are not many red kettles I miss during this season.  As I dropped my donation in the kettle, the frail gentleman looked me straight in eyes and said "Happy Thanksgiving".   What a gift!!  What much appreciation, I returned the greeting.  So many times the glare of Christmas capitalism, blinds us from even acknowledging this day set aside for gratitude except as a day to gourge.  The ringing of the bell pulled my harried mind out of its spiritual fog.  So may I take this time to wish everyone Happy Thanksgiving and as I remember my loved ones with gratitude,  I know that the true meaning of Christmas will soon follow.  NOW - I must finish taping the box that still lays here near my foot and happily cross that particular chore off my list - yippee!