Rural Routes, Blog Version

SNOW – even if I don’t appreciate it falling in October. I am thankful that the part of the world I live in experiences the four seasons with such clarity of separation. I am grateful that snow plowing and removal will no longer be one of our winter chores.

BARN CATS – even if ours have disappeared this year. I am thankful that I won’t have to worry about them when we leave here in a few weeks. I am thankful that for years they provided entertainment and companionship and kept the rodents from our home.

THE VIEW OUTSIDE MY WINDOW – I am grateful for the almost unlimited view of field and sky.

COWS – I am grateful for the source of our livelihood all these years. I am grateful for their maternal bulk; it has been an inspiration in more ways than one. I am grateful for their placid ways in a sometimes stormy world. And I am grateful that I may never again have to chase one.

FALL COLOURS – I am grateful for yellow, orange, red and brown, the colours of the harvest (even when they are hidden under snow).

GREENERY – I am grateful for the evergreen in the front yard that was planted for our children by my father-in-law. I am grateful for the shrub, also in the front yard, that was gifted to us after my mother died. I am grateful for the two challenged but resilient lilacs north of the house. The lawn mower and snow plow have done damage over the years, but the lilacs are still alive.

STARS – I am thankful for the experience of living in the country where, on cloudless nights, we can see the stars.

DARK– I am thankful for the experience of living in the country where, with the exception of those stars and one lone moon, the night sky is dark.

QUIET – I am thankful for the experience of living in the country where, except for farm and wild animals, the quiet is absolute.

ANIMALS – Just today we learned that there was an otter at the pit west of the house. A beaver was making a home there. We have seen moose tracks down the road and bear tracks in the driveway. I am grateful to live so close to nature, without ever facing any ill consequences. (Except perhaps for the time a rabid skunk got in with our cattle.)

PETS – I am grateful for the pets we have had – dogs, cats, rabbits, fish – some of which are buried on this land. I am grateful that we are able to take our dog and cat with us when we leave and bring them to a new home.

MEDICAL CARE – I am thankful for doctors, nurses and medical staff who earlier this year got rid of a gall bladder that was causing me trouble. I am thankful that soon I will be living within walking distance of a hospital in case medical assistance is ever needed again.

THANKSGIVING IN OCTOBER – I am thankful that the Canadian Thanksgiving date gives us more than two months to prepare for Christmas, even though by looking out the window, I could be persuaded it is only a matter of days (did I mention snow in October?)

STUFF   – I am thankful for the tubs, boxes and bags of ‘stuff’ I have been forced to sift through these past months. They are a reminder of many rich memories, and a witness to the material blessings of our lives here.

FAMILY – I am grateful that our children will be coming home to share a Thanksgiving meal with us. I am grateful that our new home will be even closer to theirs (although outside the five kilometer radius requested by our son for the sake of his privacy!)