Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

LH (the Grand Mr. C.)and I are up early for this U.S. holiday where stores and banks are closed for the day.
Tradition says we are to give thanks for American life recalling the first meal of the Native Americans and Pilgrims.

We will eat with a family in the neighborhood who we've known for years. I will bring the ubiquitous green bean casserole a la canned fried onions and an appetizer which I pulled from the freezer section of Sam's Warehouse Club yesterday.

Before we meet for the afternoon meal, LH and I will talk about what we give thanks for this year. The list will include:

-each other, many years of companionable moments, affection, respect and smooches

-our children, who in their teen-age years, are lucky to not be set out street for the gypsies to
take

- our work, whether rebuilding a law practice or pastoring a small congregation both involve healing the rifts of relationships, contributing to Community and lots of words.

-our families, the Aunts, snug in their NC home filled with cats, some of them ours

-small pleasures of daily life: coffee together in the mornings, good newspapers, books, books, books, gardening, talking, talking, talking, laughing and laughing, surprises like good behavior of
authorities, memories, dreams and so on.

- for the gift of faith, for the knowledge we are not in control ultimately but that we've been given the tasks before us to do the best we can, the constancy of God's love and presence, the whimsey of the Christian calling and the humility to know we are not worthy supplicants.

-for pets, great ideas, bright people, kindness in every form, welcome and hospitality, loyalty, honor and microwave popcorn

And, for you, I give thanks today,

St. Casserole