Thanksgiving in January

I personally think that having Thanksgiving after the fall harvest is the wrong time. It needs to be NOW. We have so much to be thankful for in the dead of winter! It will be ten degrees below zero tonight, with a horrific wind chill. We had a 2-hour delay at school today due to temperatures, with yet another one tomorrow. Why be thankful for that?? We are so blessed that this little bungalow is cozy and warm. The furnace is working. In fact (for now) EVERYTHING is working. Our cars are starting without difficulty. We have good food to eat, a bedroom for everyone, wherewithall to pay the bills, and plenty of love and supervision for the children. There was a time when life was different for both Meg and me. Things could be a lot worse! I give thanks to God for His grace and mercy when the rest of the world is falling apart!

And speaking of the dead of winter, it is my bro-in-law's birthday today. I won't mention how old he is...but he is OLD. Heh heh. (I'm pretty sure he doesn't read this blog, so I can talk about him!) Roger has been my bro-in-law for pert near 47 years. (I was a mere babe when they married!) As with all OLD married folks, Shari and Roger have had their ups and downs...and Roger an *I* have had our ups and downs through the years. But the upside is that we are family. I'm quite sure he doesn't understand what he probably sees as my Bohemian ways, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't understand how much I envy what he and Shari have, but they have worked hard for their lifestyle--their gorgeous home in the country, their fun vehicles, their pool and garden--impeccable!--and not by accident. I am also reminded that not quite two years ago, I was airlifted from Springfield, IL (where they live) to Peoria, due to a ruptured aneurysm in my brain. They rushed not once, but three times, to Peoria to be with me. (Shari yet another time to stay overnight.) I was well looked-after! God bless Roger for taking care of my sister (and me) by supplying the niceties of life! And Happy Birthday, you old dude!

There is a flock of robins that has wintered over in Plainfield. I can hear them in the trees, and my "elmer"<---radio term--has sent me pix of about 100 of them in his yard just over a mile from here. I worry about the little birdies. I hope they survive these temps. Heck...I hope WE survive these temps!