These little moments of learning an “old” skill and actually doing it, awakened something inside of me. I started getting my hands into soil, leaning small little ways to stretch our food…I started to notice little things in my world more, and engage the art of being present. I began to embrace more silence…they even made me feel more human, more connected, more purposeful – The Lost Art of Living by Lea Ellen
Last week we had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It was a quiet time between Sam and I until his sister and her husband arrived. Our other family members live far away. We’re glad we can talk long distance, email, and What’s App to make contact especially during these special occasions. Even though our family was small it was a time to be thankful for all that we have. Having a “Sister” come along to help with the meals was a Godsend. As well we had long conversations about our families and our aches and pains. We took walks along the driveway back and forth. Sam has called his sister “Sister” since they were children. So it was that Sister arrived in time to help with the cooking. She’s a much better cook than I am, and as the saying goes “Two are better than one.” Our family members would rather not have turkey on Thanksgiving Day, so we served chicken from the Deli. Also, there was the grocery store Sweet Potato Praline Pecan casserole, and the famous green bean casserole with French fried onions atop. We prepared the cornbread stuffing topped with cranberry sauce. Sister introduced me to “Sister Schubert’s” frozen yeast rolls. Having yeast rolls made me feel somewhat better as a cook. I put them in the oven and topped them with butter. We also shared Dutch Apple pie that Sister cooked while I served the Chocolate Satin Pie which required no cooking. The day the two arrived they also brought mini quiches to add to our breakfast. You know the time we get to share with our family, friends, and others is so much more than the food we eat, it’s the time we get to see one another. That is the blessing. When all the feasting was done it was time for watching TV Football between Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs. Cowboys won. The group clapped and hollered, “Yea Cowboys.”
As the sun sank below the tree line and twilight ascended. Sister noticed deer were moving slowly across the land toward the deer feeder. It’s a beautiful sight, such an awesome animal the deer are. Our Black Belly Whistling Ducks took off toward warmer ground; hummingbirds have migrated. Ladybugs have disappeared except for a few stragglers. The few ladybugs left behind went to the greenhouse where they look out for aphids and other bugs.
Wilhelmina spent the day sleeping. There was a bit too much going on in the house for her. Later we will all be well nourished and ready to sleep the night away for another day.
Shannon Bardwell is a writer living quietly in the Prairie. Email reaches her at [email protected].
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 46 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
