Tuesday, November 24, 2020

ONLY ONE YEAR AGO...

 








Thanksgiving is
 just a couple of days away.  
There is no need to say 
that we will be enjoying 
our Thanksgiving dinner
 separated from the ones we love. 
 We are all in this same boat.
 
 We will miss everyone 
but we will still be thankful 
for what we have and 
talk to each other over
 the phone, Skype, Zoom, or whatever 
is our technology 
of choice.





As we sit down at our table, 
we will enjoy our dinner and 
try to ignore the chaos around us.
 
 Is it just me 
or do we all have such a mess 
preparing for Christmas
 until the final box is emptied?
 
 Every year I have the same wish, 
but for some reason,
 it is never granted! 
 I swear 
those boxes, when in storage,
 just keep reproducing! 
 
Just keeping it real.








I am making a pot of
 butternut squash soup, a dessert,
 and the rest of our dinner
 will be courtesy of Raley's.

  We did this last year
 when the kids were here and 
we all thoroughly enjoyed it.
  
Besides, 
with just the Captain and I,
 we will have enough left overs
 to last at least a week or two.

  Can't wait for all 
those turkey sandwiches!







I am starting 
to put up some Christmas decorations.
  Last year, 
Thanksgiving was later than usual 
so we didn't have much time afterwards
 to get Christmas going. 

 I love it so much and 
would like to keep it going
 for as long as I can. 

 Especially this year 
when we all need something
 a little extra.




It is hard not to be thankful 
when I can look out
my kitchen window and 
savor the beauty of a fall day and 
think back to only one year ago
 when I looked out this same window
 and saw this same tree.
None of this has changed 
and yet...

Only one year ago
 things were normal.  
Only one year ago
 life was what you made it. 
 Only one year ago 
we could live happily ever after. 
 One year ago 
seems like a 
lifetime away.





In the short span 
of one year 
so much has changed.  
We don't have the freedoms 
that we had then. 
 Times have changed to the extent
 that what seemed like promised time then
 is now time to be watchful of,
 to keep our eyes open and 
to think before we act
 about so many things 
that have usually been 
taken for granted.





It won't always be this way, 
it almost never is. 

 Things happen in our lives 
that affect us to the very core, 
but we are resilient and 
we can come back
 to a safe space.





Sometimes we learn great lessons
 during times like these and
 sometimes we don't, 
but we must always know 
that we can.
 
 This year, during the holidays,
 it might be harder than usual
 for some of us 
 to keep up
 our spirits.




We all have
 personal pictures 
of the way things ought to be, 
but that can't always
 be the reality. 

 Whatever your personal pictures are 
this holiday season, 
love your families,
 be thankful for all times spent together
 and know that our worlds
 are made to turn
 right side up again and 
so they will.




I would like to wish 
each and every one of 
my family and friends 
a joyful and thankful Thanksgiving. 

 Lots of good food to eat and 
lots of very sweet memories
 of those who can't be 
sitting at 
the table.





 Stay Smart
Stay Well
and
Wear the Mask.

Happy Thanksgiving
 to you all...


...Judy...






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34 comments:

  1. Hi Judy, Oh I love seeing that beautiful view from your kitchen window. Gorgeous. Your Christmas decorations are so nice too. I am praying along with you for our world to survive and become calm again . We need the children to live a normal life of play and school. I truly miss all my loved ones but I am not gathering at all. I want us all to be safe. We are still doing the masks, hand washing and distancing. Blessings to you and the Captain. xoxo, Susie

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    1. Thanks so much, Susie. I love that view too. The rest of the year that tree isn't that pretty, but it sure shines in autumn. I hope we can all get back to doing what we love, and it is looking like that might not be that far off. It would be a shame for everyone not to follow the safety guidelines now when we are so close. Hope you and Ted have the most wonderful Thanksgiving. We do all have a lot to be thankful for..Stay well my friend..xxoJudy

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    1. Thanks so much, Martyna. I appreciate it..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  3. May you and the captain have a wonderful and peaceful day on Thursday. I think we all need to just hold onto the memories of Thanksgivings past and know that future Thanksgivings will be so much better. Praying for this world of ours to come together and see an end to the virus and we all feel peace in the new year. Have a wonderful rest of the week and Happy Thanksgiving.
    xoxo
    Kris

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    1. Thanks so much, Kris. Those are good wishes for the coming year. We are getting close to the end, I think, I hope. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a great start to Christmas..Stay well my friend..xxoJudy

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  4. This is a wonderful post, Judy. Full of very deep and lovely thought. You're right -- what a year. I laughed out loud when I saw your boxes in the room. Today I borught up a bunch of trees and other Chrsitmas and stashed it in the guest room. More to come. Then up it goes on Friday -- or at least I start then. I need the lights!

    Take care and have a beautiful holiday, Judy. We are alive and here. That's much for which to be grateful.

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    1. Thanks so much, Jeanie. You are so right, there really is a lot to be thankful for. We are getting close and that is all good..Hope you and Rick have a wonderful Thanksgiving and then, on to Christmas..Stay well my friend..xxoJudy

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  5. I can relate to bringing in all of the boxes, mine are in the basement and as you say each year they seem to multiply. This year. as I will not be entertaining, I won't be doing as much decorating and want to use more natural items and greenery. I love what you have shown us so far and look forward to seeing your full display. Love your beautiful tree in it's full glory.

    Happy Thanksgiving.

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    1. Thanks so much, Adrienne. I really thought I was doing a lot less this year, but as I am moving along, it is beginning to look like a lot to me. I love using the natural greenery but don't have access to much around here. There are a lot of cedar trees in our area, but mostly on private property and the tree lots don't have it and I love to decorate with cedar. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and stay well..xxoJudy

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  6. Wishing you and the Captain a very Happy Thanksgiving. Hopefully next year will be better. Janice

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    1. Thanks so much, Janice. I am wishing the same for you and hubby. We must hold out hope that it will be..Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and stay well..xxoJudy

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  7. What a great post! All so true. We took our "normal life" so for granted that when we get it back, hopefully, we will all appreciate it a little more. I know I will. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

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    1. Thanks so much, Judy. It will be so nice when even a little bit of normal comes along again. I certainly don't have it as bad as some others but I know I will appreciate it more when it happens. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and stay well..xxoJudy

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  8. A very nice post Judy.
    Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thanks so much, Jan. I appreciate the kind words and say the same back to you..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  9. Yes things sure have changed this last year, but you continue to do your beautiful decorating and inspire me to do a little (at least)! When I see your gorgeous table all set for the holiday, it makes me want to do the same. I'll be digging out my Fall tablecloth today and my pretty tablerunner, as well as some leaves to decorate my table. It'll just be hubby and me as I'm sure most people are doing.. just staying apart to be safe. I hope so anyway! By the way, I did a blot post yesterday and for some reason, this new blogger platform would not let me upload any photos! Have you had that problem? It kept saying "server error"..... humph. I finally got around it by finding a program that makes a url for a photo.. made the url, and then uploaded the url onto my blog. and it worked! Geesh. Was just fine before and why they changed it I don't know! I hope you two have a nice holiday.. I'm sure you will make it very special! Hugs... Marilyn

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    1. Thanks so much, Marilyn. You should see my table now. I have been unloading decorations and when I didn't know where to put anything, it would go on the dining room now it is all sitting right in with the table settings. I'm thinking I'll just move it all over because I am bound and determined to eat our meal there. It will just be the two of us also so if the food is good, I guess we can overlook the mess. I haven't had that problem (YET) with the new blogger. I would be devastated and not even know where to begin to fix it like you did! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and stay well..xxoJudy

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  10. Happy Thanksgiving Judy. Yes so many things have changed since last year and it is such a different year. As I write, hubby is bringing up all our Christmas boxes; I think we'll start decorating tomorrow or maybe this afternoon. We will still be gathering with family and I'll count every minute as a blessing. Stay well friend and enjoy the little things.
    Noreen

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    1. Thanks so much, Noreen. I has been a very different year and I hope 2021 will be a LOT better. We haven't seen our kids since four months ago but we do talk on the phone often. We will be having a good dinner with just the two of us but our thoughts will be of when we can all be together again. Enjoy your Thanksgiving and stay well..xxoJudy

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  11. Another heart felt and beautiful post. Such a gorgeous tree to light up your day, I hope you and your husband have an extra special day tomorrow with so much to be thankful for, one day this too will pass, I know you are keeping safe and healthy. My husband works for a drug company in Marin, they told him to plan on working from home until 2022, to err on the side of caution is never a bad thing. enjoy the sunshine, fall is full throttle all around us, it could not be anymore beautiful. happy Thanksgiving!

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    1. Thanks so much. When the sun hits that tree it literally does light up. I am wishing the same for you and your hubby. Will you be sitting on that gorgeous deck, looking at your beautiful view, and eating what I'm sure will be a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner? Those are my thoughts for you. Have a wonderful and beautiful day..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  12. Liebe Judy,
    wir beten alle und hoffen dass 2021 besser wird, und wir unsere Kinder und Enkelkinder wieder umarmen können.
    Ich wünsche Dir eine gesegnete Adventszeit und bleibe gesund.
    Liebe Grüße
    Brigitte Schmidt/Deutschland

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    1. Thanks so much, Brigitte. That is certainly what we all wish for. It will be awhile yet but it looks more promising each day. I wish the same for you my friend..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  13. Love that tree! Can't wait to see it finished decorated. I have bins all over the place. I don't remember growing up my mom having so many boxes. I think I will have to throw some of this stuff out. The children don't want the stuff. I need to keep Christmas pure and simple like your sign says.
    betsy

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    1. Thanks so much, Betsy, and I certainly agree with you all the way around. My mom decorated more than I do (if that is even possible) but I never saw any boxes sitting around. Where did she keep all that stuff. Betsy, when I bought that sign to me it just meant that it IS Christmas and that is that. But I am beginning to see it the way you do...Stay well..xxoJudy

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  14. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Judy and you are digging into those turkey sandwiches right now. Your place looks lovely and I agree, it is what it is and we need to take one day at a time. We decorated already, although it's never really done, so our view has greatly improved. Sparkle lights have a magical way of changing your perspective! Enjoy the weekend!! xo

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    1. Thanks so much, Kim. We are still snacking away on the dinner. We have more more night of heating up hot stuff and then it is on to the sandwiches! I am getting some decorating done, but the more I do in one room, the more boxes go into the next one, so I might get done by Christmas 2022. But, you are so right. Twinkle lights are a life saver..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  15. Lovely post Judy. My how times have changed. I hope by next year, we can get back to normal. Christmas blessings are sent your way. xo

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    1. Thanks so much, Linda. Times really have changed so much. Hopefully we will be a little closer to "normal" at Christmas but I don't think we will be quite there yet. It will be awhile longer yet, but such goodness to look forward to..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  16. Yeah, we should be thankful for many things :3 good pictures❤

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    1. Thanks, Kinga. We do have a lot to be thankful for..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  17. Dear Judy for some reason your post and several others ended up in my spam folder so I missed this. It was a lovely post in thoughts and pictures. I hope to start decorating next week, have things going on this week, so the fun of decorating will just have to wait. Have a lovely Christmas month ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Thanks so much, Lorraine. That happens sometimes. I'm glad you got to see it eventually. I am slow getting around to everyone this month for some reason. Time is going by too quickly..Stay well..xxoJudy

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Your comments are so special to me...Judy