Thanksgiving Thoughts

What am I giving thanks for this Thanksgiving??  There are almost too many things to list - where do I begin?


I guess first of all, I'm thankful that I'm still alive and kicking this Thanksgiving!! :)


Then, 

My sons are at the top of the list. I am blessed with two fine men. I love to be around them and always know I can count on them.  I respect and admire them.

I'm thankful for two wonderful daughter-in-laws. I'm very lucky indeed that they always welcome me into their homes--they are the daughters I never had.


Next are my special  grandchildren--all four of them--3 grandsons and a granddaughter. They are all caring young people with good values and loving hearts. I love them with an intensity I never thought possible!  They just melt my heart.  Plus, they are loads of fun!!


My step-daughters and children  have always been so good to me! From the very beginning of my marriage to their dad, they have welcomed me into their family.


My extended family (brothers,sister, sister-in-laws,  nephews and nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces, etc.) They are the best. I know that any one of them would be available if I needed them. How many can say that of their family? Plus, they are all intelligent, caring and fun people.

I"m grateful to have my 89 year old mother still with us and able to be independent. She is the smartest woman I know.

Living in the country is a dream come true for me. The land has always called to me. I gather strength from just being out with nature. Every day brings a new discovery.

My animals are a great source of joy for me--I do believe they are what keeps me going, even when I doubt my ability to carry on. Every one of them has a different personality. I love the smell of horses, the feel of their coats. The cats are fascinating to watch. And my dog is  always begins the day on a happy note. It's impossible to be in a bad mood when a little dog is wiggling all over, so glad to see me in the morning, the cats are rubbing against me, and the horses are nickering softly.! What a great way to begin each day!!

I'm grateful for my "angels on earth", people who have come into my life just when I needed them.

This will strange, but I'm grateful for having COPD.  It has forced me slow down and learn to appreciate every minute of life. I'm taking pleasure more in the little things--the sound of a leaf falling, the sunrise through the trees, my dog being a bundle of joy in the mornings, a cat purring in my lap, the changing seasons,  etc.

I'm grateful to have a fun job and good people to work with.

I'm sitting at my computer, looking out my front windows at the dawning of this Thanksgiving day. I'm very grateful that all my family is safe and well. I'm grateful that we have had the blessed rain. I'm very grateful to be living in America!  God has truly blessed me. So, all in all, I'm a very happy person!!!

Berries for Bluebirds

I'm learning to appreciate the variety of my species of trees. Each seems to serve a different purpose. For instance, the much-maligned cedar:

I've been concerned about my bluebirds as winter draws closer. Due to the drought, most of the berry producing plants didn't produce this year--even the poison ivy mostly died out and forget the beauty berries! 
But as I was taking my usual tour of the pasture, I noticed that my largest cedar was loaded with berries! People (me included) complain that the cedar takes too much water from the area, but  it does feed and shelters my bluebirds. It's thick branches offer protection from the snow and the berries provide nourishment. So, cedar tree, I'm glad I have you.

Could we humans learn a lesson from this?


Stay tuned!

My Favorite Autumn Tree

Salsipuedes Sweetgums

Shades of Fall

I hear a lot of complaints about sweetgum trees. It seems that people do not like their spiny balls. I'll have to admit that when the horses limp up to the barn after getting one stuck in their hoof, and I'm digging it out, I'm not too happy. But I remember then that their seeds are a much needed source of food for the birds. Unfortunately, this year there aren't many balls, due to the drought. As if to make up for that fact, their leaves are exceptionally beautiful this year.  Here are some photos I took after the last rain:

What a variety of colors--ranging from yellow-green, yellow, red, orange, burgandy, and even pink! They even look pretty when fallen, adding a little color to the sides of the road! The sweetgum is definitely my favorite autumn tree!


Stay tuned for more tree photos!

Blessed Rain!

We have finally had rain--3-4 inches last week and another 2 1/2 inches last night. Hurrah!!! After getting stuck so many times the first year I lived here, I didn't think I would ever like mud--but I'm loving it this year--even puddles!

Now, who would go around taking pictures of puddles? This very  grateful person!! Everything looks freshly washed--the dust is finally gone! My pasture has greened up and maybe, just maybe,  my remaining trees are saved!

Stay tuned!

The Best Neighbors

Lately, I've been noticing my horses racing across the pasture quite a bit. And Moe has been  getting all excited, prancing around. I thought there must be cows or deer nearby This morning to my delight, I discovered new neighbors!

My new neighbors!

Longhorns have always been my favorite breed of cattle, and I've been missing seeing them.  I'm so excited to have a few right next door! My horses have always been terrified of longhorns, but maybe by seeing these every day, they will get used to them. :)

Posing for  me

My neighbor was nice enough to erect an electric fence about 6 feet from mine--no chance of the horses getting hurt! When this one saw me, he came right up and posed! Isn't he a beauty?  Oh, happy day!

The joys of living in the country in Texas.

Salsipuedes Reds

One of my favorite things do these fall mornings is to ride around in my golf cart and look at the trees with their leaves turning many shades of red, yellow and orange. This year the leaves seem to be turning later than usual. I took these shots just before the rain (Oh, blessed rain!) began. Today I concentrated on red.

Poison Ivy

Chinese tallow

Sumac leaves

Sweet gum leaves

Which is your favorite? To me, the poison ivy and sumac are a tie.

Clouds

My son gave me a new camera this year, and I've been slowly learning to use it. These are a few shots I took from my front porch.The clouds were moving so rapidly that by the time I changed my settings, their configuration had completely changed. What fun!  Reminded me of my childhood-laying out in the yard on a warm summer day, imagining the clouds to be all sorts of things!

Almost looks like the ocean

Next time maybe I'll remember to write down my settings!!