From Where I Sit

By Pat Spilseth, Columnist

Most days around 6 a.m., I creep outdoors in my bathrobe to get my newspaper. Though it’s still dark, I like to look up at the early morning sky to see brilliant stars in constellation patterns. I’ve been thinking lately how little we remember to give thanks for the stars, for our sight and hearing, another morning of life, and living in a free country. How easy it is to take these everyday gifts for granted.

White frost covers the lawn and roofs of houses in my neighborhood. Ducks are swimming at our shoreline, and soon the geese will be honking over the water as they fly south in their V formation. Golden leaves are breezing through the sky, covering the grass with a gold, green and brown patchwork quilt. Winter is slowly creeping into my neighborhood. 

Settling back in my red leather chair to read the newspaper and have my first cup of coffee. I look out at the early morning sky filled with lavender, pinks and blues. It’s going to be a lovely day. The weather outside may be frightful to some, but to me the scene is inviting. I love the first snowflakes and dipping temperatures. Cool mornings inspire me to build a fire in our fireplace, put together pieces of a jigsaw puzzle and drink hot cider. 

“Now is the winter of our discontent,” William Shakespeare complained, echoing the feelings of many folks as our winter season approaches. Too many of my neighbors are abandoning their homes already for warmer temperatures, beaches and golf courses in Florida, California and Mexico. Dave and I are diehard Minnesotans. Though we’ll fly to warmer climates once or twice in the winter, we enjoy the snow and the frozen lake cluttered with fish houses, cross-country skiers and  ice boats. 

I want to live where the weather gets me in the mood to sing “Over the river and through the woods/ To Grandmothers house we go/ The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh/ Through the deep and drifting snow…” Phooey on a brown Thanksgiving and Christmas. I’m hoping for snowflakes, deep drifts and crisp temperatures.

Though I’m no longer much of a shopper, when I do venture into a store, already I find them full of Christmas red and green and hear the sounds of carols…It’s tooooo soon! We just had Halloween trick and treaters! Several stores have already announced that they’ll be open on Thanksgiving Day. What’s happened to holidays being special days set aside from commercial doings for family and friends to get together? Holidays were not meant for us to go shopping. I have no desire to join the bell ringers, shop, and wrap presents, sip eggnog and put on my reindeer sweater until the calendar turns to December. Forgetting about Thanksgiving puts me in a blue mood. Though the radio is playing “I’ll be home for Christmas” and “Feliz Navidad,” I’m more in the mood for “Over the River and Through the Woods.” 

May your November and Thanksgiving be memorable. I hope you’ll spend time with family and friends enjoying the traditional turkey feast, where each member around the table lists his yearly blessings. I’m thinking about Thanksgiving here at home with turkey, cranberries and family. I’m grateful that I don’t have to get on a crowded plane. I’ll watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade on TV, not bundled up, standing in crowds of frosty folks elbowing their way to see the passing parade. For friends and family, food and our homes, let us offer thanks on this month’s Thanksgiving holiday.   

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To contact Pat, email: pat.spilseth@gmail.com.