“The RoseBouquet”

Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day here in Canada. Today is our National Election Day. I’ll talk a bit about both.

For some time already, I have concluded that big fussy traditional holidays are not absolutely necessary. It’s what is going on in my heart and mind that counts, so I can celebrate all by myself. Naturally, I would not turn down a chance to be part of a family feast day with all the usual trimmings, but it does not wipe me out to give it up.

Which is a good thing. I had planned to take a nice meal over to my brother Tom’s on Sunday afternoon. (My neighbour Joe has been deer hunting and shared some fresh venison with me). However, on Saturday Tom called to say he was in bed with a fever. I should not come Okay. I would call him on Monday, and adjust my plans. I have plenty to do, and a few extra relaxed hours for prayer and meditation is always a treat for me. Hey, maybe I’d even have time for some creative writing.

But when I called him yesterday in early afternoon, so I would know whether to take the meat out and start preparing the meal, he said he was still in bed, and basically only getting up to go to the bathroom. He was still feeling exhausted and too weak to enjoy regular food. I suggested that if this doesn’t clear up soon, he needs to see his doctor, in case he has a kidney infection. Meantime, he could stay in bed and drink plenty of fluids. I’m perfectly okay with putting off our Thanksgiving meal until next weekend.

I used my holiday-at-home to write a Christmas story, polish up that batch of herbal tea pages for my AVHH site, and upload them, and catch up on emails besides going out to dig in the garden a while.

My Ukrainian neighbour, Brad, knocked on the door and asked for the key to my back gate, so he could fix it. When he knocked again a couple of hours later, I went out to see, and he had really braced and straighten up that sagging gate, and improved it tremendously. He even added two sliding locks! Another praise item in my Thanksgiving list.

We agreed that we have to use these nice days when they come, for the next day can be totally different. Snow had been forecast for Sunday and Monday, but both days were lovely with sunshine.

Sure enough this morning the skies are overcast and it is raining.

On top of all that, I had decided to go vote before coming to the office. In my hurry to leave earlier, and fumbling for gloves and my umbrella, I forgot my keys. Fortunately, Priscilla let me in, so I haven’t had to walk all the way home again just for those keys.

Life consists of many little things like that. A joyful heart, however, scales the unpleasant down, and enlarges the good ones.