Smoke Signals and other news
What are you thankful for this Holiday Season? In the everyday rush, does it cross your mind to be grateful? You had to work during the holiday season. You have a job to support yourself and your family. You had to do some serious holiday cleaning. You have a home to clean and family and friends to share it with you. You have extra laundry. You have clothes to wear or maybe you were blessed with overnight company who left you towels or bedding to wash, piles of dishes. You had food to cook and eat or share with family.
My family hasn’t gathered for our Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving Day for a few years. Some family members have other functions to attend that day or have to work. We pick another day in the same timeframe that works for the majority of the family, usually Friday or Saturday night. The day is not the important part but rather the gathering of family and friends. This year we gathered on Saturday night with most of the family able to attend, including that new great grandson who several members of the family had not met. There were extra snuggles all around. We all bring a dish or two of things our family loves and we eat too much. It is getting harder for me to cook so the number of dishes I prepare has dropped significantly. I have taught my daughters to prepare some of the long-time family favorites, so those dishes remain on the menu.
Ellen and her family were here only for a few days due to school and athletic events for the kids. Olivia continues to excel in softball. Her Christmas list mostly features things softball-related although, she recently paid half the cost of her dream bat with money she had earned from sitting for the neighbor’s cats and making and selling bracelets. Landon has finished with football for the year and has moved onto wrestling. This year he is a Freshman on the high school team and there probably won’t be as many wins; however, he does have some wins. He learns something from his losses. He is extremely strong for his age, so he surprises some of his opponents. A recent match he lost to a senior ended with a remark from that senior complimenting his strength. Both are doing well in school. Bentley, their not so small Bernedoodle, always enjoys his time here. Fortunately, he travels well and is a gentle giant although a couple of folks including my nephew and my handyman don’t dare come in the house when he is here. Most dogs love both of them, but Bentley somehow sees them as a threat. Ellen stayed behind a few days to work at her shop, Byhalia Nutrition Shack, and will fly home later this week.
November always seems to bring loss of family members, and this year has been no exception. My stepson, Michael, George Cook, Barry Wilson, and Darlene McClain have left us this month. All will be missed by family and friends. Prayers for their families.
I would love to report your news. Call or text me at 901-246-8843, message me on Facebook at Clair Wagg, or email me at jchwagg@gmail.com.