Happy Thanksgiving

Gobble.gobble. gobble!

We went to the Great Wolf Lodge for the Thanksgiving buffet. They do a very special buffet - one of the best we've seen. It was very extensive, and we both enjoyed it immensely. Saw Bev there.

We're leaving for Florida on Saturday, so we didn't want to do a turkey at home and have a lot of leftovers, even though we used to think that the leftovers were the best part! (Cold giblet dressing at 11:30 p.m., for instance.)

Dick wrote a little essay for the MiGO forum, and I liked it so much that I got permission to put it on my blog - he is such a good writer!

What are we thankful for in 2011? Well let’s start with our parents who experienced the Depression and taught their children the value of thrift and education. We are grateful also for the lessons we were taught by the wonderful teachers in the Traverse City Public Schools. We are grateful for the community and the time in which we grew up, where as children we were safe to explore and play as we wished as long as we got back home when the street lights came on. We are grateful to Hermie who, 60 years ago fixed us up on our first date and thus introduced us to our best friend.

We are grateful for the society in which we grew up which believed that education beyond HS should be affordable to everyone. When we were kids, the citizens of this state kept the cost of public colleges reasonable. We were able to pay for college with minimum wage summer and campus jobs. Because of a federal program, we were able to purchase a home in which to raise our family. Because of the actions and advice of our parents we were able to live frugally and invest in both our and our children's futures. Because of the success of our country through the years, we are able to enjoy a satisfying retirement.

We are grateful for our families, our children, brothers, nieces, and nephews. Grandchildren? We only have one, but if you have a spare 4 or 5 hours, we’ll explain to you why he’s the very best one there is. We are also grateful for our MiGO family. Geocaching has become a large part of our lives. It gives us an excuse and rationale for doing what have always been our favorite activities, going for a ride in the car and taking a walk in the woods. We treasure the many friends and acquaintances with whom we share this passion.

We are grateful that we live in Traverse City, one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever been to, with health care second to none. It seems that every day we come across something that brings a smile to our faces and another bit of joy in our lives.