It is the night before Thanksgiving and the wind is blowing and rain is spitting against the windows. I am most grateful for my near and far family..children, grandchildren, sisters, brother, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. When I listen to the radio and all the talk about holidays and family chaos and the (IMO) overused word "dysfunctional" families, I wonder how they got that way. As someone said, it's just life. I am grateful for shelter and food and birds and books and the blessing of parents who gave me so much.

Heading to Townsend tomorrow for Thanksgiving with the Wetzels.