Giving thanks.

I have just written a card to an old friend whose wife died this year. She was such a force and it felt right saying so and hoping that his holidays will be filled with wonderful happy memories of her.
Even with the profound losses I have had this year I am so filled with gratitude for those people. My friend, Mary Pat. Every day I am using her as my standard bearer. I am challenged to do better and be a better me. Mom. I sit here tracing the roadmap of veins on the photo of her hands that I keep on the bulletin board right next to my computer. I am so very thankful for her and all the moments with her. All the moments. All of them. I do feel their love. I do believe in love. I believe it doesn't die. Love is eternal.

The week will march on to Friday. That will be our Thanksgiving celebration. With all the proper trimmings. Adhered to in fear of the tradition police, whom I raised myownself. They hold my feet to the fire. And I am so very thankful for every one of them...children, children-in-laws, grandchildren. It IS a wonderful life.

Shalom.

Cloudy day and cornbread dressing.

Gingko trees in front of our church. These type of trees lose their leaves in a day.

Yesterday we were leaving the neighborhood and a full gingko was raining leaves. An hour and a half later we drove by the same tree and nearly all the leaves were on the ground. 

All the trees don't do it on the same day. But once a tree starts it is over very quickly.

Today was the day. I have used Mom's cornbread dressing recipe for years. And years.

I have kept my own notes every year since about 1999. 

I have started adding comments to the recipes. 

Last year Lauren got her driver's permit that week. 

Tempus fugit.

Shalom. 

3 funerals and a trip.

Good coast trip over a week ago. Got to visit 3 sisters, 2 sisters-in-law, and both brothers. Stayed in this house before. Got to hand out Halloween candy on the street where I grew up. 

This towel is in the bathroom at the rental. 

I love it. 

Sunrise from the rental. 

Sunset. 

Visited Mom and Dad. 

Two sisters and a nephew. 

Four sisters toasting our Aunt Bobbeye. 

****

The next week went by on greased roller skates. 

Voted on the day of the first funeral. 

Good hair day for the second funeral.

Nice table scape at the Master Gardener's fall potluck. 

Obligatory fall tree photo. The neighborhood trees put on a show!

Pumpin hummus with pepitas. 

First camellia bloom. 

Butternut squash - pumpkin soup.

With pepitas. 

I was so thankful that Out of Town Son and family decided to come up on Saturday.

It was a very good reason to stay home and miss the third funeral. 

Granddaddy Macho has some popcorn lovers in training. 

Alice ate it two-fisted. 

That brings us to today. No dance tonight.

Big frost with possible snow flurries early tomorrow.

Bean soup on the stove. 

Shalom.