Janet and I are celebrating Thanksgiving
this year in a much different way. It worked out that none of our
kids with be with us on Thanksgiving day. I hate to say it, but that
worked out well for us. We both had a week off from school, with no
real plans, so we decided to go tent camping for a couple of days.
Yes, camping with temperatures around 36 to 38 degrees at night. It
was awesome. Waking up to the cold crisp air, with the smell of pine
and sounds of nature coming to life, and building a fire and having
that first cup of coffee brewed over a campfire, taking in all that
God had created.
We stayed at Mission Tejas State Park
close to Grapeland, Texas, so we could attend the Crockett Christmas
Festival on Saturday held in the town square. I love the sights and
smells of small town celebrations. We had sausage on a stick, a Zemer
root beer float, shrimp and fries, and various samples of homemade
fudge and peanut brittle. I wanted to try the cheese cake on a stick,
but didn't get to it. With over 200 booths of various kinds of
crafts, from purses made from old license plates to elegant lace
doilies, it made for a great outing.
Sunday, we went hiking, exploring the
park, and attempting to follow the park map, which we found out
later, was out of date, so we took the scenic route off the
designated trail. Not a long hike, maybe three miles total, broke
camp after lunch and headed to Henderson to see Janet's parents.
Monday, we went to the Dallas Arboretum
to see the flowers, pumpkin patch, and the Chihuly display. Chihuly
is custom blown glass art work, very beautiful and expensive. It was
a perfect day, with a wonderful drive to and from Dallas down country
roads seeing all of the colors of fall on the trees.
Tuesday, I got up bright and early and
explored the woods behind Janet's parents house and hiked down to the
lake to take some awesome pictures. Janet and her mom went shopping,
and I headed for the big town of Troup on an information gathering
trip. I wanted to find my grandparents, on my mom's side, gravesites
and their old homeplace. My first stop in Troup was the old downtown
area. Most of the businesses were no longer there, like Normans, 5
and Dime Store, the hardware store. As a little boy, I remember the smell of the 5 and Dime store, and the sound of walking on the wood floor. Steele Grain and
Feed was still in business, and they gave me directions to the
cemetery. Across the street was the public library where I was able to
purchase two calendars from the Troup Histrorical Society that had
pictures of my grandparents and other relatives. For me, it was time
well spent, remembering the past and thinking about the future.
Driving those country roads, God and I talked about life and the
future. I have so much to be thankful for.
Wednesday morning, Janet and I picked up about
2 gallons of pecans. I must admit, my back got a little sore. The
best part of the day was driving to Carthage to see my son, Josh and
his family. Jackson and Jake are the smartest grandkids in the world.
Josh and Julie have a wonderful home and are doing a great job raising two fine sons.
Today is Thanksgiving, I don't know how
it could get any better. My daughter Abby will be here, Janet made me
a coconut cream pie, Janet's mom, Barbara, made some brownies. Foy,
Janet's dad, and I are going to watch non stop football today, and
the buffet pants will have to be brought out because of all the great
food.
Abby played the piano for us and sang
this afternoon. She plays and sounds so beautiful. A perfect way to
spend a Thanksgiving afternoon. I'll give up football for that anytime.
I am blessed. Have a Happy and
Wonderful Thanksgiving, and don't fight over the turkey leg!
David
P.S. Christmas decorations for up, the
tree is lighted and I am ready to celebrate an awesome Christmas!
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