Lesson 673: Grateful

 

Happy Thanksgiving, Readers.

We are grateful for many things this holiday.

When the google search box looks like this on Thanksgiving,

we all had to adjust our expectations this year.

There are always many gifts of abundance to recognize.

Be extra generous this season if you can.

Those living in the Lamp Post bubble

were healthy as of last week,

so we began trying to figure out a way we could

eat together,

while still following the recommended guidelines.

Not an easy task,

but I clipped some Indian dreamcatcher feathers 

in my hair,

said a little prayer,

and started planning.

I reached in the cupboard for a coffee cup

after I sighed a heavy sigh

and exhaled along with it a

Lord, help me.

This is the cup I grabbed.

The weather was going to be a big factor.

Would we have sun?

Rain?

Snow?

Looking back in my 3 year diary,

which I'm about to complete in a couple of weeks,

we have had all three within the past three years.

Thanksgiving Day 2020 in Erie, PA

was 52 degrees with a light drizzle.

Doable!

So Miles Standish and Momma

journeyed from afar to attend a gathering

of thanks and giving.

Decorating the pole barn for Thanksgiving dinner

was sort of like transforming the school gym for the Prom.

A strategic little cluster of decorations

intended to draw the eye away from the drill press.

Some lit candles covered up the smell

of motor oil, paint, and metallic tools.

The anvil,

one of the few surviving relics from the barn fire,

made a great display table 

for the simple reminder.

We figured out a way to seat everyone six feet apart.

Erik got a special set on Grandpa's four wheeler.

Sam sat solo

with plenty of room for two beggars from the pound.

Eloise issued a Masks Mandatory mandate.

Rules are just like for school,

you can remove them for eating and drinking.

Everyone had a happy Thanksgiving Day,

and honestly,

I think I enjoyed this year the most out of those most recent.

Natalie is thrilled with all of the Mickey Mouse

and Snoopy merch.

Every store seems to be carrying some

sort of clothing items with the 

feel good characters.

They tie for second in her happy heart,

with bacon always holding that #1 spot

in Natalie's List of Favorites.

The Christmas tree went up a few days earlier than normal.

We added an outdoor tree to the front porch this year.

When you drive by for a holiday honk,

give it a glance.

Yes, we are holding on lights along the bottom

for a day or two 

to see how the Penny and Hazel 

handle the tree.

We are hoping the tree doesn't fall over.

Natalie still hangs all of the ornaments in one spot,

and I just can't bring myself to adjust them.

It is a visual celebration of the quirk

that makes this family work.

Ellen and her Cricut have been clutch.

When I need a break from the holiday set up,

we've been playing this version of dominoes.

It is my new favorite game!

It is with a grateful heart,

I leave you this weekend.

Blessings to all of you this Thanksgiving.

Eloise

Lesson 672: Ups and Downs

Hello, Readers!

The Ups and Downs continue at the Lamp Post this week.

The bright red leaves atop of one of my favorite trees have fallen down.

The November skies 

when the sun comes up 

sure have been beautiful.

They are interesting all throughout the day,

as well.

Check out this weather front 

moving in across the vineyards this afternoon.

Sun down,

moon up,

brings sideways smiles, too.

The Erie weather in November has begun its cycle 

of extreme ups and downs.

Tree branches belong way high up in trees.

But sometimes the come down through your roof

like a spear,

and into your living room....

directly above your Bibles.

Kenyan...

someone may be trying to send you a message.

Just sayin'.

It snowed this past week!

Hazel wasn't sure what to make it.

Penny tried to insulate herself against the chill.

My parents put up the snow stick.

Yes, out of towners,

we measure snow in feet in Erie.

Any seasoned Erieite knows 

that prior to the harshness of the frozen part of winter,

we brace for wind storms along the lake.

Last Sunday night proved to be tragic for our favorite spot

along the northern border.

Life was anything but good at the Beach.

These were the shots of the enormous ups and downs

of the aftermath swells the next morning.

This is how she stood after 25 foot waves

and 50 mph winds.

The force took off the front

The beach glass hunt can resume on the INSIDE of the place.

30 years of giant beach glass jars lost..

but Sam and I found one intact!

We also found this perfect table and chair set 

my parents just purchased after last year's clean up.

They were buried in debris,

but we dug them out and amazingly

all four chairs and the table survived 

without a scratch!

When you experience a loss of your possessions in a fire or a flood--

and we've had experience with both--

there are ups and downs of emotions.

We cried over our favorites destroyed,

and rejoiced at finding something unscathed.

In the end,

all that matters are the people.

No one was hurt that night.

Everyone made it to safety.

The next day's clean up

was nearly as harrowing as the night prior

as I had to watch my mother back down the steep gravel driveway...

and have my father direct her down.

It's all about People, 

not Places,

for this Thanksgiving holiday.

This will be a time of stories to tell and retell

for many years to come.

Do what you must to protect the ones you love.

That's all that truly matters.

Eloise