Thanksgiving week, 2016

           The moon watching from the dark hills of Mink Creek the last few days has been superb. It is nice living where there isn't the glow of electricity between earth and the heavens. Even the night temperatures didn't require more than a light jacket. Binoculars or telescopes added a big boost to the experience.

           Recently there has been a new family move into Mink Creek. Edward and Marian Beil have purchased the home of Austin and Kathy Jones. They come to us from Ft. Shaw, MT where Ed worked for the telephone company. Their daughter Mary lives with them. She is a graphic designer. They have two other daughters, one lives nearby in Riverdale, ID, the other lives in California. We welcome them and are glad they have experienced winter in these western states so that they won't be discouraged in the coming months when the snow arrives.

           The box elder bugs are enjoying the nice fall days we have been having. They are everywhere, as usual, but not in quantities as thick as in some past seasons. A freeze will be welcome to knock off their presence.

           Some of our residents have been involved in a great service effort called Operation Christmas Child. It is part of an international relief program, an effort organized by Samaritan's Purse group that follows the biblical instructions given with the story of the Good Samaritan, “Go Thou and Do Likewise.” Those wishing to be involved picked up shoe boxes, chose a child by gender and age and filled it with a gift appropriate to the child and meeting the requirements given by the Good Samaritan organization. These boxes will be dispensed around the world to needy children who would otherwise have nothing on Christmas Day.

           One day this past week we had areas of our community who were without electricity for several hours. When this happens it teaches us quickly how very dependent we are on this source of energy as homemakers and business owners. Life takes a whole new direction in striving to accomplish the tasks of the day.

            Thanksgiving, the holiday, is upon us. There will be much planning, cooking, baking, just as it has been for years, and years. Families will gather and feast on on another's company as well as the banquet on the table. It pleases me that we have a day set aside for Thanksgiving in this nation , hopefully that feeling exists in our lives daily, year round.      Regardless of the election results during this month we have a nation for which I give thanks. It disturbs me that there are so many violent negative responses to the outcome of the  recent election. I have said it before, and I am certain I will say it again, whoever is the President of the United States, they are a person who needs the prayers of its citizens.

           The storms of nature have been flitting about our little valley the last few days. Cold and wet, but only one day brought the snow level down to our yards. Most of the white is high on our mountain tops as of this writing.

           Happy Thanksgiving to you all. While you are giving thanks for the bounteous lives we lead include both the new administration of our nation in your prayer, along with the old residents of the White House. There is never a time when we don't need that extra help.