The Last Leaf

               

The one red leaf, the last of its clan,

That dances as often as dance it can,

Hanging so light, and hanging so high,

On the topmost twig that looks up at the sky.

~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge 

We had a few blustery days and all the leaves have left the trees in my neighborhood, leaving the landscapes dry and barren, except for the evergreen pine trees that are in abundance in my neighborhood. The beauty of autumn has passed, but the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday gives us much to look forward to.  I leave all my autumn decorations out until after the holiday. There won't be a hint of Christmas in my house until after Thanksgiving.  I do not like to rush the seasons, even if Santa Claus is already at the mall, Christmas carols are playing on the radio, and I have been busy checking and buying from Amazon "wish lists" for gift ideas for my grandchildren.

Today we had our first significant snowfall, and later in the early evening, I was surprised with a parade of deer that traveled through my backyard.

A stove at the Colorado History Museum

I am busy planning my menu for the big Thanksgiving feast, and I'm sure many of you are doing the same. I try to buy the largest turkey I can find, and we will also be having a ham because I welcome leftovers! I make delicious turkey soup from the turkey carcass, and pea soup from the ham bone, and I think I almost look forward to that as much as I do the holiday meal!  What is your favorite dish to eat on Thanksgiving?

We have much to be thankful for, and I have been counting my blessings each and every day. I want to keep a joyful heart and enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, remembering what those holidays really mean, without all the extras we so often burden ourselves with.

Less stress, more joy!  I hope I can make it so!