A Day of Small Things

Happy Thanksgiving!
What makes me grateful this Thanksgiving day -- a day we set aside
to reflect on our blessings and say what we are thankful for?
For me, it's the small things. 

I wake up slowly as weak November sunlight peaks through the bedroom's linen curtains.  

I am most thankful for this easy early morning time since retiring. 

No more blaring alarm clocks to shatter my dreams. 

Only a little white dog belly-crawling up through the blankets to lick me awake with wet dog kissies.

Having time to leisurely enjoy a hot cup of coffee while browsing through a favorite magazine
makes me happy. I've always loved reading magazines to start my day. 

I even have time to grind fresh coffee beans -- what a difference from the weak coffee machine
in the employee lounge. Ahh. Retirement. Yes, definitely thankful for that.

How to spend my day, this special day of gratitude? 

Here in Denver, we have a traditional Thanksgiving race called the Turkey Trot
where everyone runs around Washington Park before the big holiday dinner.
Calorie burning in advance of the feast.

We cheer the racers on and enjoy their creative costumes.

Walking home, we smell fireplaces burning in the crisp air. Gray smoke curls up into the 

darkening sky. Inside, our gas fireplace provides warmth, convenience and a cozy feel.

Thanksgiving dinner is a simple affair. 

As a vegetarian, I try a new pasta recipe and Ron makes pumpkin pies, my favorite. 

This is one day when we actually use our dining table to eat on. 

I appreciate all the holiday touches and wonder why we don't do this more often.

Time to nest. This holiday gives me time to think about the onset of winter.
Moving indoors, re-reading a favorite book or watching old black and white movies.

Turning inward as the days grow shorter and the light slants low through my windows.

Christmas is tapping on my door.
Soon I will get out our holiday decorations and, this year, I vow to keep it simple.
Okay, more simple than last year. 

Evening is a time for quiet reflection and remembering Thanksgivings past. 

I miss my family and friends who have moved on.

I'm thankful for the good man and my little dog who share my life. 

As this day ends, we watch a gorgeous sunset over the mountains and count our blessings.

The Denver Post, our first newspaper, proudly proclaimed as its slogan in 1859: 

"Tis' a blessing to live in Colorado." 

Got that right! So much to be thankful for on this day of small things.

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