- Once again, my father, at age 92, and my mother’s oldest sister, at 99, are both still around.
The weekly snap: red sky at night….
- My off-the-farm job allows me to touch base with widely scattered friends and family when I travel for work.
- The valley in which I live is filled with people I like. And I have been recently reminded of the particular pleasure that is gained from visiting.
- The land and the bounty it provides … and provides, and provides. (I think we are okay now on the turnip greens, thank you.)
- Guests this Thanksgiving — because, as Dorothy Parker said, “Eternity is two people and a ham,” and we have a 22-pound ham.
- My friend Jack reacquainted me with this other Parker gem: “What fresh hell is this?”
- My partner in this life is still able to appear interested when I say, “Let me read to you something I just read.”
- She genuinely shares my pleasure on a November day in simply watching the last of the leaves blow to the ground.
- Joey the ram, the flock’s herd sire, has not maimed or killed anyone this year. (And not for lack of trying, Joey, you evil bastard!)
- Twenty years ago we made the decision to leave the city and start fresh. Now, when outside, I am more likely to hear a rooster crow or the bawling of hungry sheep rather than an angry voice and the blare of a horn.
Follow
Brian,
Gratefulness-one of the most important aspects of living a good life. You nailed it.
Many, many years ago my Dad and I walked north up the half-mile long cow lane. He was silent until stopping abruptly, looking all around at the countryside, and saying, “We are some of the luckiest people on Earth.”
Several years ago my son Dave and I were walking up the same cow lane checking on new calves on a June day, with a soft south breeze blowing, the smell of fresh grass in the air. A perfect day. I said to Dave, “Always remember this day. We are some of the luckiest people on Earth.”
Hopefully he will pass that very same sentence on to another generation.
Thanks,
Red sky at night – a sailor’s delight.
No need for an angry voice, or a horn blaring. A 22 pound ham, bounteous turnip greens (extras of which could feed the next ham), and a great cohort to share them with. Ahhh, thanks are due indeed.
Have a great holiday Sir and Madame.
1. My mother, who is a bit younger than your dad, will be taking over the vegetable garden on my property next year; no two ways about it.
4. Miner’s lettuce and rocket here.
9. There is always mutton ham.
Avoid the blaring horns, unless you want to take up the seasonal activity of driving a tractor all the way to the capital, like our farmers are suddenly quite fond of.
Thanks, gentlemen. I like a mutton ham, Michael. We cured one a few years ago. Clem, safe travels over Jellico mountain.
I spent 10 minutes reading the titles on your book shelves. Thank you
Excellent, that thought of you checking out the titles pleases me immensely. If you look at the blog on a smart phone it allows you to see the titles hidden behind the text on a pc. Bonus books!
Wonderful intel… didn’t realize that. Am now absolutely sure that I won’t be changing my background pic to the one of me in that stupid swim suit…
🙂