Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Joyful Gratefulness

What goes through a turkey's head that split second after it leaves its body and is falling from the stump? "Did I turn off the stove before I left the pen?" or how about "Why did God give me wings, yet I can't fly?"

But turkeys don't possess skills, although the one pictured to the left seems to be in take-off position. Sort of a clunky poultry version of a 747. And aren't turkeys hard on the eyes? So is it any wonder that their only function is to take up room in the freezer?

What an obtuse life. Glad I'm not a turkey...I am so grateful not to be a turkey.

And since I've segued right into the grateful mode-roll, I can't stop.

Thus....
Kath's Thanksgiving Gratefulnesses for 2008 (in no particular order)

  1. My bones ache, I use eye drops that feel like acid and at times I look like that Tales From the Crypt guy, but at least I can walk around the block, still have a spare eye that works, and a hairdresser who works miracles.
  2. January of this year I had a publishing contract; June of this year, the publisher disappeared like Elliot Spitzer after a panty raid, but, I gained stronger self-confidence in my writing and in my heart know that my work belongs with a major NYC pub.
  3. I may have nightmares, but my dreams outweigh the fright.
  4. I live like a recluse, my car stays in the garage all week, but that's one less carbon foot-print on the world.
  5. I live like a recluse, but thanks to modern technology, I have a wealth of cyber friends.
  6. I don't go out on the town anymore; no longer can I look for Mr. Goodbar, but for the last thirteen years I've lived with the same knight in shining armor.
  7. My dogs make me go out in sub-zero weather, but at least I'm not walking on wet spots or cleaning up poop.
  8. I'm thankful to have my health, even though lately I've been visually challenged, my fingers still find the keys, my imagination still runs with hysterical abandon. I still plan on seeing publication, no matter how hard it is to see at times.
  9. Lastly, I'm grateful to have survived my past with as much grace as I could muster, without one ounce of regret.

There's more, but I'd rather see what my followers are grateful for - whom I am so very grateful for as well as fortunate to have.

Happy T-Day!


12 comments:

Edie Ramer said...

I don't like to think about the poor turkey that I'm eating. We have wild turkeys in our neighborhood, and when they're in our backyard, I don't let my dog out.

I'm grateful for my health. I'm grateful for my family and friends. I'm grateful that we elected Barack Obama. I'm grateful I have good books to read. :)

Have a fabulous Thanksgiving!

Amy Sue Nathan said...

Lovely, honest post. Gooey sappy gratefulness gets old. Yours was sincere and true, heartfelt and well-versed.

I'm grateful for the friendship of strangers and the strangeness of my friends.

Spy Scribbler said...

Awww, LOL! I believe wild turkeys can fly; we had one in our yard. The one on my post landed right in our driveway and stayed awhile. :-)

It sounds like a tough and eventful year, but it sounds like you're tougher and faster, Kath.

I love that you live without regret.

Kath Calarco said...

Edie, I'm with you. I'd rather not know the road traveled up the food chain. I have a friend who raises "free range" chickens. I cringe when she tells me how she had to "get rid of" a few roosters because they were picking on her egg layers. I know she didn't blindfold them and shoot them at sunrise...

Kath Calarco said...

Amy, thanks! And let me say that our sentiment would make a great needlepoint. :) I'd hang it right at my front door for everyone to see when they walked in. (I have a multitude of strange friends.)

Kath Calarco said...

Spy, later my hubby said that turkeys fly, just not very far. And then I got to thinking about the turkey-buzzards - they fly great distances for a meal, but they wouldn't make a great entree.

If you have a picture of the post-sitting turkey, post it at your blog. I want to see it. (Maybe it's the same turkey posing in my post.)

Anonymous said...

That turkey looks like it's missing a top hat and a silver cane. LOL!

I'm most grateful that I have a job. My next door neighbor is going through what I went through and that was being unemployed just before the holidays. So since, I've been there, I'm doing what I can to give back by putting out some feelers.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Kath!

Kath Calarco said...

Marcia, I'm sorry to hear about your neighbor's plight. This is not the best time of year to be looking for a job. I guess those who have jobs, no matter how sucky they are, need to be grateful that there's a steady paycheck coming in.

Anonymous said...

I'm most grateful for my family and friends (near and far), and for getting to pursue my dream of writing!

I hope you had a great turkey day! Have a wonderful weekend!

Anonymous said...

So have you seen the interview with Sarah Palin after she pardoned the turkey? Actually, what I really want to know there is what the slack-jawed guy who was slaughtering the turkeys was thinking about.

Kath Calarco said...

Robin, T-Day was filling, lol. I'm looking forward to Christmas, but wish I had a personal shopper.

Kath Calarco said...

Caryn, I didn't see S.P.'s turkey pardon. Darn it! I wonder if she spent her T-Day shooting herds of wild beasts from a helicopter...