THANKFUL, YOU SAY?

My son J, with his lady and two of the rug rats

My youngest son, J, had left to go hunting up north the Thursday before Thanksgiving. His little lady was home alone with three boys, one 5, one 3, and the youngest, born this June 12th, still nursing, usually every 2 hours or so. The boys are active, especially the 3 year old Bali, and she was nearly at her wit’s end. When I called her the day before our Thanksgiving supper, she admitted that she would rather just attempt to rest than attend.

“Okay,” I offered. “I’ll go pick up the two oldest, and it will give you a break.” I was surprised when she agreed; she’s very protective of her three sons. It did take some coaxing, but more because she was worried that I would be tired from work, that I would be busy cooking, that, being hostess, I would have to see to entertaining duties.

Ha! There was a method behind my madness! My daughter, much loved by both the young rug rats, would be at the house. Also my granddaughter, who is very good at keeping them busy. And Yo, my other DIL, who plays with them constantly whenever she has the chance. My oldest son is the entertainer in our family; the supervision of the boys would be done by more of my prodigy; so all I would actually have to do would be keep an eye on the turkey –yet get as much sticky cuddling as I wanted!!! AND I would still look good because I offered to help out! LOL!! Never underestimate the wisdom of a conniving granny!!

Thanksgiving Day was glorious! My home was filled to the brim with everything for which one could be thankful; most of my children with their significant others, my much loved but deceased sister’s daughter and granddaughter, my brother and Fran, the older grandchildren and the toddlers and doggies, all racing around keeping things lively; and throughout the rooms wafted the smell of roast turkey and savoury dressing and spicy pumpkin pie. You tell me – what more could one want?

My oldest son, always the comedian, kept us roaring with laughter. The youngsters sped up and down the hallway, only stopping when grabbed for the numerous hugs and kisses, then were dumped into the Jacuzzi later in the evening. Their aunt Shan dressed them in p.j.’s, transferred the car seats into her own vehicle for the drive home, and called me back to say that the indomitable Bali was sleeping before the first corner up the road. In the meantime, his mom got to soak at her leisure in a relaxing bath while the baby was sleeping, confident that her older sons were being embraced by a family who love them madly. Later, I learned that my other son, the avid hunter, had caught his first moose. In its own way, Thanksgiving Day was good for both of them too.

Finally it was only me and the doggies. We sat by the fire, relishing the quiet and the warmth. I lifted my last glass of wine and saluted my mom. Thanksgiving was her favourite gathering. I knew she would approve and, wherever she is now, was surely sharing my SMILE!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec

GIVING THANKS

This morning the sun kissed my mountain, causing it to blush crimson. There were bright dabs of yellows and greens and orange; colours all mixed up to create a breathtaking view. I pulled on my thick, flannel p.j.’s and joined the doggies on the gallery. We stood there together in the early silence, absorbing the beauty, shivering slightly in the crisp, autumn air. My hands were kept warm by the day’s first cup of steaming coffee; my feet by the furry, boot slippers Suzie had given me a past Christmas.

This will be one of the last chances of the year to enjoy such a sight. The leaves have already started to fall. Soon the branches will be bare and grey, contributing to the eerie but exciting Halloween atmosphere of witches and goblins. Then the snow will come, and my mountain will change its vibrant dress for crystal white. A different picture, but just as awesome in its own way. Nature is the world’s most accomplished artist.

I haven’t done a lick of housework for the past week, so my schedule is full. Dusting, cleaning bathrooms, washing floors, laundry, carrying loads of wood upstairs…all of it made tolerable by the blast of music from the sound system. An electrician (another of my son’s friends) is to stop by. The generator, needed often enough during a winter in the bush, is to be hooked up so that it will start with a push of a button. I don’t mind spending the evening with candles, and the stove and fireplace keep the house warm when the electricity goes off. However, Jacuzzi freak that I am, I want to make sure there will be no lack of water. Even more important…well, I don’t have to mention how I feel about the TV going off in the middle of a hockey game, do I?

I’m invited to my Cuban’s home for supper tonight, but the Habs are playing, and my friends are not into that sport, so I doubt that I’ll attend. Tomorrow my son and Yoshiko are coming to spend the day. My brother, maybe my daughter with her family, and my niece with her new BF will arrive to share our Thanksgiving turkey. My youngest lad is away up north hunting moose, so I’m not sure his lady and my three little rug rats will join us. When you are alone, it takes some organization to bundle up and transport all that is needed for a family that size. Maybe if one of our group goes to give her a hand….we’ll see.

Enough with the procrastination! I enjoy writing much more than chasing dust bunnies, but the house won’t clean itself, so I need to shake a leg.

To all my Canadian friends out there, I send warm wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving. And for those of you whose calendar does not designate this weekend as that holiday – well – we can celebrate with thanks anyway, right? Except maybe the turkeys, LOL!

SMILES to y’all!!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

BELATED THANKSGIVING

My son, Jo, was away hunting last weekend, so we celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday. We gathered in my daughter’s new home around turkey and stuffing and all the traditional trimmings for the season, and the usual teasing and laughter made the day. My oldest, Bow, picked up Uncle Bird, who managed to eat and banter with the rest of us. Jo and May’s little lads, the youngest of the group, endured multiple kisses and hugs until they finally left around 6 P.M. Those kinds of days are precious. We all take time out of our busy lives to remind each other of what is important - a strong, healthy and happy family unit.

Yoshiko mentioned that her ‘old’ bachelor brother is getting married in January, so she & Bow are planning to attend, of course. I’m thinking maybe I’ll go too, if there is any way I can swing it. The wedding is taking place in Taiwan. The problem is that we’ll be in full tax season, a busy, busy time for the office, and I’m not sure that both of us can be absent at the same time. This is going to take some strategic planning!

On Saturday, after shopping for the turkey, I joined Rey & Susie and their boys in their home in Ste-Sophie. We went for supper in a restaurant in Pointe-Claire (where we waited over an hour for a table in spite of reservations!!), then on to the airport to greet Rey’s mom who was arriving from Cuba at midnight. The last time I saw her was in 2001, and she hasn’t changed one iota!! What a beautiful lady she is! She’ll be in Canada until mi-January. We all piled into Rey’s 7-passenger vehicle, and arrived at Ste-Sophie around 2:30 A.M. It was dark when I picked up my truck to drive home, and the damage to the front end was only noticed the next day. OUCH! Someone obviously backed into it (Rey’s driveway shares a small bar parking lot), and there is a huge hole in the front fender. Fortunately, I have a Honda garage as a client, but it still is going to cost a couple of thousand to get that repaired. To add insult to injury, Heinz was staining my large French thermal windows, and a gust of wind sent one of them crashing onto the gallery. It shattered – and, due to the weather, will need to be repaired immediately; at least a $250 job. Damn! Any more weekends like this one and I’ll have to get a second job, LOL!

Shyanne, my little grandniece, turned 11 yesterday. I was unable to see her then, but will stop by Julie’s tonight. The poor little thing is living through her parent’s difficult separation at the moment, which is never easy for a child.

It’s now time to do the rush-hour run to the office. We have a big week ahead, and my energy level is not at its highest right now. I’m back on the medication for my sore legs, and it gives me constant nausea. Ugh! My doc should be arriving the second week of November. Hopefully we’ll be able to figure out what is wrong. I’m really not good with pain.

Have a great sunshiny day, folks! It’s frisky out there, but refreshing if you dress warm. Sending you all a SMILE!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec