Thanksgiving Weekend

Hello all!

I started out the Thanksgiving Weekend in Rochester, having dinner with good friends, Andrew and Rebecca Wolf, and daughters Arianna and Ostara. Andrew had brined the turkey, and we had all the fixings. Andrew's mom, Linda, flew in from Florida, and other friends came for dessert. We had a great time! Rebecca read a poem from the Quakers, written for our regional area, which was certainly pertinant to the day and our lives. Andrew and Rebecca and girls come to my lake home in the Finger Lakes often, and we always stir up a good time, often with visits to the Windmill and nearby wineries. Dr. Franks is a favorite, and Thanksgiving dinner was accompanied by a bottle of my favorite.

I was able to avoid the malls and Black Friday shopping, since I try to get things ahead, and also make a lot of my gifts; got up early to visit cousins Lynne and Kenny in Loganton, Pa, sort of southwest of Williamsport. I had to pull over for a bit, the early morning fog was thick. Saw my first snowflakes. We have not had any yet, but it is coming!

Lynne and I went to Shunk, south of Dushore, Pennsylvania. I have visited the area so often. My maternal grandfather Harry Barth was from Cherry Mills, just outside of Dushore; my maternal grandmother was from Texas Run, Pa., which is somewhat near Morris, Pennsylvania, in the very rural area of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. I met Lynne and Kenny about 12 years ago when my Mom and I were working on our genealogy. Lynne's grandmother had run the Cedar Run Inn, general store and post office there, and she and my grandmother were first cousins. Lynne and I are like sisters- the emails and cell phone are constant contacts!

We got to Shunk, where Lynne picked out a new Australian Shepard puppy. She named him Cooper. He is so sweet! I did not realize that 11-week puppies are a bundle of fluff. I am not sure what the cats think, but Willow, their 12 year old Aussie, is quite taken with her new brother. We were going to make our Christmas cards today, rubber stamp style. However, the puppy has taken the top spot of the day, so hopefully we will get going soon.

One week ago today I was waiting in line for Sarah Palin. It was an awesome experience. Even though I did not get a wristband for a spot in line, since they were suppose to give out 1000, snd only gave out 500, I think I was actually one of the lucky ones. Staying in the reserve line gave me time to make new waiting for Sarah Palin line friends, and reconnect with Barb, one of the students I taught nursing to at MCC many years ago. If I had not been there for the 12 hours, I would not have met Ron from Staten Island, and his group. That has made all the difference! I was reluctant to do the line thing at first, but after the bands were handed out and the rest of the remaining 1/4 mile line virtually disappeared, it seemed the thing to do to try to wait to see if she would take other waiting fans in for the book signing and a visit. My healing ankle from my fracture in late August stood up to the test, and I would do the whole day over in a heartbeat! Meeting Sarah Palin and her parents Charles and Sally Heath was an awesome experience. I got to speak with her parents for several minutes, and her Aunt Katie. They are all genuine, real people. Charles had come out to our reserve line to encourage us and thank us for our wait. Sarah looked us all in the eye, asked our names and what we did, and everyone got a friendly handshake, as well as having their book signed. What an experience.

I am so thankful this Thanksgiving weekend for my faith, family and friends. It has been hard to no longer have my parents and brother here for the holidays, but I have such good friends, a career I enjoy, my cousins, Aunt and Uncle, and a faith that has shown me new directions in my life. Life is good. And, I know those I love that have passed from this earthly place are in the arms of the Lord.