Thanksgiving Turkeys

These two. In cones. He got a skin bump removed, she got spayed. They're totally fine and the cones likely helped them from helping themselves to everything in the kitchen on Thursday.

Thanksgiving 2020 was weird for everyone, but maybe one of my favorite days ever. My sister was supposed to be out of town, but due to Covid that trip got cancelled, so she and her fiancée spent the afternoon and evening with us. It was magnificent, just to hang out while DH tended to his bacon-weave wrapped pork tenderloin on my dad's ancient smoker. Of course dinner and dessert were fantastic, but mostly because of the people and doggies I was with.

What a weird year. Who knew that a trip for my mom's 70th birthday would be the start of a crazy pandemic. I haven't been in the office to work but for one or two days since then, and there is no end to that in sight (I am certainly not complaining about that, I'm really grateful for it.) I did almost all my Christmas shopping online. My Christmas tree is already up, and I'm almost ready to write out Christmas cards. 

And then we got results of Polo's biopsy. She likely has a portosystemic shunt (no blood to the liver, it goes around in the shunt). She definitely shows signs of hepatic encephalopathy, a side effect, so this is probably correct. And so we wait to talk to the vet about it tomorrow. Even though she is difficult, she is wonderful and while I'm worried about her, I'm happy she's here, expensive Little Miss that she is!

I have a zillion things to be grateful for. But the souls I get to spend my time with are at the top of my list. My wonderful devoted husband is the best blessing I have ever gotten and I'm so happy he is in my life. I'm so glad my sister lives nearby and that we really love spending time together. I am grateful my mom and grandma are in great health, and that my brother and his family are also well, and that I can spend time having good conversations with all of them. What a marvelous gift for each of us. Thanks be to God and the universe for all my Thanksgiving Turkeys.

character matters

I have been fairly disillusioned with my fellow Americans for almost a decade. So much division, hate on both sides, etc. Everyone is pointing fingers at "them" without realizing that 

WHEN YOU POINT THE FINGER, THERE ARE THREE FINGERS POINTING BACK AT YOU.

Beyond that, there are scores of implications that republicans are backward, uneducated, the party of hate and racism, while painting democrats as better educated and morally superior. There are plenty of forward thinking, well-educated people, as well as hateful, elitist and corrupt people in both parties. I do agree that the president sets the nation's tone overall, and given the current ugliness and lack of respect on all fronts in our current society, perhaps with Donald Trump's exit both the republican party and the country as a whole will be better off. But it makes me sad that the best either side can do is offer up an Old White Guy with racist tendencies and questionable character to choose from. Not that one's age, gender, or race should determine the outcome, but, if it did, then Kamala Harris is the only deciding factor, and look how it [barely] landed. 

It is commendable that in Joe Biden's address after the projection, he said "It's time to lower the temperature." I fully support that statement, but good luck with that, Mr. President Elect. 

It is remarkable that this was the highest voter turnout for a presidential election in over 100 years. That gives me hope, that people do care. But really, The President is a figurehead in a far off office. What I wish would happen, here, is that there is the same, or better, turn out to vote for mayors and city council members. Because those folks decide things that have a lot more impact on your life. You can keep up with your city council and the items on their agenda, so you're at least aware of how they want to shape your community. So if you don't know the name of the council member who represents the district you live in, go find out. Google it! 

Please don't underestimate how much YOU can impact your community. You can volunteer for things you believe in, and enjoy doing. Government, and how your area functions, really shouldn't come from afar, that's not how it's supposed to work. So whether your presidential candidate won or lost, whatever finger of judgement you're pointing at the other side, maybe take those three fingers pointing back at you and find three positive ways you can impact the place you live. That is how we will really make America great. That, and acknowledging how this guy feels in the video below. Think about it, America. Who do we really want to BE?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eMoCW1Pq54&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR1JLSLC3nP_8CJgvw00qhR8PipNSrIKVkypYgNReqy6nrt0bal2y12VYuA