The fourth Thursday in November is Thanksgiving Day for those of us who live in the U. S. The day is surrounded by traditions and myths and a reminder to be thankful for what we have.
Some of the things for which I’m thankful:
Having met and married a wonderful lady and having 57 years together (so far). A lady who has traveled the country with me; indulged my hobbies, including once having had a rattlesnake in the laundry room (in a secure cage) and a pile of cameras; and enjoyed the bears in the yard.
Our two kids who are now middle-aged adults (hopefully they won’t be offended to be called middle-aged) and nice people with whom we are good friends –
Our three granddaughters, now young adults; one a PhD candidate, one a teacher and one a college student –
That I could spend 52 years working in forest and field, seeing some wonderful and fascinating things along the way and, hopefully, leaving the world a bit better.
My parents who brought me into this world: my mother who helped me catch my first snake and my father who introduced me to the world of forest and field –
That I can still walk several miles every day to enjoy the woods and waters.
And the natural world: it’s plants and animals; its hills and mountains; streams and lakes and rivers; rain and snow; sunshine and wind and sunsets.
Hopefully you too have things for which to be thankful, not just on Thanksgiving Day but each and every day.