HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Greetings from Oregon, your State for Liquid Sunshine!

A new day; a new week.  just got back from walking the dog - it's a miserable day (weather-wise), by the way - even with an "all-weather" coat on, I got "all-the-weather" I needed and more!  Yukko, was soaked to the gills!  But as mom would remind me, "at least you got the stink blown off."  Indeed, I did.

Still musing about the day in Roseburg - so many fond memories...  so many, "do you remember when ...?"  some I did, some I didn't, some seemed to rather blend together so that 2 or 3 stories became one - oh well.  I guess age is taking its toll.  I think I said it least week, but they really did a nice job of bringing a 75th anniversary together.  Was a pleasure to participate.

Can't remember what I've written in the past few weeks (and too lazy to go back and look) - but our staff had a dinner gathering at the Rhinelander restaurant (authentic and original German cuisine) and it was great.  Think we had 16 people there (workers and spouses) and were given a private room to enjoy.  The meal had been ordered before we got there and then served family style.  Cordon bleu, sausage, german potatoes, red cabbage, sauerkraut, beef brisket - the food never stopped coming; then add to that some German bier, and the evening was a great hit.  Don't know who came up with the idea to do it - but it is worth repeating.  Got to know the staff a little better in the process (have two new ones this year).  Great conversation, and singing "Val-der-ree, Val-der-rah ..." (with the wandering accordianist) - we all turned German for the evening.  Even "Eidelweiss"ed it, at least once.

Karina got the yard and gardens all cleaned up for winter; I helped haul it away.  Except for the leaves that have still refused to fall with the rest of the trees, we're looking pretty good for winter.  If it dries up, probably have to mow one  more time - a good frost would also take care of it.

Doing a simple Thanksgiving Eve service this year, "Thank you, God for People, Places, and Things."   Thought that would pretty well cover it.  As Mrs. Daniels might say, "nouns are good."  

Had fun with the Hebrew word "chesed" (hes-sed, and more properly with a gutteral ches-sed) yesterday for the sermon.  It means, loving-kindness, or compassion, or acts of kindness.  Worked out well for those who won't be joining us for T-Giving.  Even got some very nice comments - it's already posted.

As we get ready for Advent/Christmas I'm smiling with glee!  I personally think that Christmas should be celebrated the 4th Sunday of December every year!  That would make my life so much more simple (as if it isn't already).  Then the New Year would begin on a Sunday and that pretty well takes care of that theme as well!  Why doesn't Congress do something about that?  They spend all their time not getting anything else done - one swift vote and I would be happy for the rest of my life!  And such a simple change would be good for Republicans and Democrats, Independents, and no-party voters.  If you wish to join me in my endeavor, maybe we could start a campaign for KeepChristmasOnSunday.yes!  I like it.

Finally a couple of neat sunsets - the first an 'eerie' one when I was leaving the church the other day ... the clouds were all stormy.

and the other happened Thursday(?) evening in our back yard ...

and finally, I think I've lost my marbles ... have you seen them?

that's it from here.

love ya.

Karina and Dan