Thanksgiving.

 For many families, this is a first. My friend Cindy said that they have six or seven friends coming over tomorrow for Thanksgiving rather than for those folks to be alone. Can't imagine cooking for half a dozen, much less a dozen or more, but that is what Nikki and Cindy will be doing. Cindy said that Nikki killed three of their turkeys and Cindy plucked them. Haven't done that in a coon's age. Turkeys are truly huge and cumbersome to dress, trust me. It is a major job. Have only done a turkey once. Chickens, many times. Still, beats trying to dress a pig! Have only SEEN that done and did not really participate. And the stuff they took out of that pig as food was a bit much for me. In fact, the very idea of "mince" pies just makes me feel ill. They included hog's head meat. Oh well. Who thought a mince pie was just assorted chopped up fruits? Waving my hand here.

Talked to Lance's oldest child. He had made a nutter butter crust with some kind of peanut whiskey creme filling. It sounded a bit nutty to me, but that kid will try anything once. He said that they also found a very small turkey for their family. Smart move. No leftovers! Now he has the pecan pie to make. There is still one here in the freezer from Nuts.com that came last week. Enough pecan pie for the time being. But thinking that a box of stuffing and the leftover chicken breast prepared today will be just what is needed for brunch tomorrow. Will miss the celery sticks that Lewis used to stuff. That was one of his favorite foods, and he always did the honors on that task. A couple of cans of cranberry sauce will last the rest of the year, no doubt.

The dogs had their cooked bones yesterday evening. Think Thompson buried a few out in the back yard. He keeps coming in with a bone. Currently he wants to hide under my desk. The kid down on Lake View has fireworks and keeps setting them off. Have walked the fence line again today to see what else is in the pasture. The little twit throws things at my dogs. Have gathered up a dozen golf balls, a light bulb, and a shoe. Hung the shoe back on the fence so his grandmother would notice it. It would do absolutely no good to throw the balls back. Oh well. As long as he does not hurt my dogs. sigh

Felt so thankful for Connie Cooke today. She told me she was going to "play Jan." She reminded me that just collecting the money and handing over the keys and ownership slip does not get the car out of my name. SO, the lady has to have insurance before she can even go down to the court house to get it changed over to her. It reminded me that Daddy had trouble with a car that my uncle sold several times. The highway patrol told him it was still in his name, so it was his responsibility. Don't want to have that happen. Don't know this woman from Agnes Light, so will do it by the book. And who knows if she will actually come up with the entire amount.

Sat out on the lawn swing this afternoon and played with my hens. They are so funny. They really seem to like to eat out of my hand rather than off the ground. But their favorite thing to do is scratch the clods when they are turned over by my spade fork. Thompson thought they needed his help, as well. Guess we will enjoy this pretty weather while it lasts. The temperature Sunday night is supposed to be freezing with not anything warmer in the forecast for a week. Such is weather in Texas. And it really is weather and not just teasing us. sigh

Found a site on FB that was all funnies about chickens and how we relate. Posted a few of the funnier ones. Some people have this thing about dogs and cats. You know, if you ever knew me as a young person, that horses were my "thing." Still love horses, but can't exactly afford a horse, its feed, the hay, the trucking, and the vet. Chickens are affordable and hardly ever hurt a toe when they step on one. Yes, they will peck you in the face, but one has to have common sense. 

My computer reminds me when some folks have birthdays. It always seemed kinda rough to have to share a holiday and birthday, too. My friends John Van Natta and Don Dobbins both had Christmas type birthdays. But, at least they were born and made a difference in my life. What more could a person ask for? No matter when we are born, making a difference in someone's life could be why we were born in the first place. Our children, grandchildren, and all the rest are influenced in some way or another by our lives and what we do and say around them. And the same is sometimes true about our friends--they influence us, and we influence them. God just blessed us that way.

Was going to send a text message wishing my nephew Danny Pollard and his wife Rachelle a happy Thanksgiving. Whoever got the message said thank you, and then asked, "Who is this?" Apparently the number in my phone is wrong. Oh well. At least the person was very pleasant about my mistake. Such is the humor in life.

Saving up eggs to send home with my kids when we can get together eventually. My happy surprise for them this year is something really weird: light bulbs. These are bulbs that include an internal battery that charges and works when the electricity is out. The bulb can also be removed from the ceiling and be attached to a clip that turns the bulb off and on. Kinda neat. Can't imagine carrying one of these light bulbs out to see my hens, but the clip would allow the bulb to hang there for a good long while.

Tomorrow looks forward to one little handy job out in the hen house. Have a loose place that needs to be covered so the hens won't get cold. Have a heater out there, but the hens in the other two coops won't go inside the big house. May have to force them to do so. We will see. They are not going to be happy being kept up inside during cold weather, but such will be the case if it gets too bad. Maybe we won't have freezing rain like last time.

May you all have a wonderful night's rest and awake with joy. Let us thank our Creator for the many blessings. You are loved.