Giving Thanks.....

The turkey's defrosting. The grocery shopping list is a mile long. Maybe two miles. The house is sparkling clean and ready for company.

This morning, I'm on my way north, to the Big Burg, to pick up my granddaughter. She will spend the rest of the week with me, enjoying the holiday. She has only called me about ten times this morning. I'm so glad her mother gave her a cell phone.....

She is bringing her new laptop, purchased for her by her father. He has been an absent father for eight of her ten years of life. He came to see her a couple of weekends ago, and they had a wonderful time. She wanted to know where she came from, and now she does. And the doors are open; the lines of communication re-established. That's a good thing.

We will be busy for the next few days. Cooking, baking, decorating and just hanging out together. She is wise beyond her years at some moments, and a little, baby child at others. Typical of her age, and very endearing, to me.

She doesn't expect to be entertained. She will be happy just to hang out with me, and do whatever I am doing. She can spend hours in her room and idle away her time in thoughts. Or TV. Or now, her laptop. I have a book to give her: Abe Lincoln Grows Up, by Carl Sandburg. I bought it for her at the Lincoln Museum in Springfield, Illinois.

I think about her wherever I go, whatever I am doing. And the Museum gift shop was all about finding mementos for my grandchildren. Aidan received a book of Lincoln's speeches. Mckay was thrilled with a mint set of Lincoln pennies. Hopefully, Noelle will like her book.

And read it, too.

How we spend the next few days is not as important as the fact that we will be together. We will have time to talk, to listen, to share, and to laugh.

For that, I'm thankful.

The Christmas Tree, a Poem...

Covered in tinsel and icicles, too
Baubles in gold and silver and white
Spirals and stars and pear shapes,
Crowned with a star and twinkling lights.

Tall and straight and evergreen,
Reaching for heaven, or at least the sky,
Bows bending, under the weight
And presents beneath, piled high.

No matter the type, or shape of the tree
Even the lowly, Charlie Brown kind,
Covered in baubles and lovely things
Becomes the best that you will find.

Presents, not fancy, but lovingly done,
Under the tree in bright colored paper,
Heighten the excitement, increase the tension,
Each contains a moment to savor.

Gathered around the family tree,
Remembering so many Christmases past,
Thinking that this one is even more special,
Hoping the memories made will last.

The Christmas Tree, so beautiful,
Decorated now for all to see...
May yours bring you holiday cheer,
And may you always, blessed be.

Harvest Moon

I looked eastward, into the darkening dusk

And saw above me, in the big, dark sky..

A perfect sphere, adorned with a face

White and glowing as it rose so high.

The contrast between the dark blue sky

And the milky white of the harvest moon,

Caught me unaware, on this crisp, fall night..

Not expecting the darkness to fall so soon.

And there, so suddenly, hovering over us,

The eucalyptus trees all standing in a row..

Standing there, in awe, with me...

As the moon put on its evening show.

Rising slowly in a cloudless sky,

Meant for lovers to sit and share...

And watch, in awe as its majesty..

Blankets the earth with its gentle glare...

The harvest moon, in a crisp fall sky..

Leaves have fallen and winter's on its way,

Seasons changing once again...

And life is more barren with each new day.

Summer's gone, with its riot of colors..

Verdant green pastures give way to fall..

And soon winter's cold wind will blow,

Dead leaves buried, snow covers it all..

And above us all, on this special night..

Presiding majestically over the time of rest,

Hangs the beautiful harvest moon,

Making this time of year the best..

Seasons...

Crimson skies at twilight

Herald the change of seasons,

Days grow shorter, cooler, and brighter

For so many, many reasons.

Life has changed its cycle,

From hot and humid and all

Things are slowing down, dying

And life approaches Fall.

The growing season is over,

We have harvested all the crops,

But life is moving still, just slower

It’s not till winter that it stops.

The leaves are turning their colors

To brilliant oranges, golds and reds,

And soon, the seasons will change again

And we can rest our weary heads.

Winter will be upon us,

Making us want to hibernate,

Bringing the chilling winds and snow,

And holidays we love to celebrate.

And in the quiet hours,

When all has been said and done,

Slowly, surely, life will stir..

And a new cycle will have begun.