![\"turkey](\"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/turkey-loaf-1669265585.9997-300x209.jpg\")
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Happy Thanksgiving to all.<\/p>\n
It’s a big old goofy world, to quote one of our best songwriters. But there are a lot of things to be thankful for:<\/p>\n
No matter how weird and seemingly insane some of our fellow citizens are, be thankful we have a pretty much free country in which people CAN disagree.<\/p>\n
Be thankful that despite the best efforts of people who hate us, both internationally and domestically, that the country is still tottering along and is still the greatest country on the planet.<\/p>\n
Be grateful for the warts and shortcomings of the country and its politicians, for they give us goals to accomplish and tasks to perform to get rid of their butts.<\/p>\n
Be happy that we have someplace to live where one can go from one end of it to the other, no matter the direction, without anyone asking us who authorized said travel.<\/p>\n
Whatever you choose to eat for Thanksgiving (by the way, I happen to LIKE cranberry jelly in a can!)\u00a0 be grateful you have the chance to get it at all. And most likely have the income to do so.<\/p>\n
Be especially grateful for friends and family. Some have passed on and will never be forgotten (which means they still live), some you may never see again, but be happy if you have anyone who cares if you live or die.<\/p>\n
Thank the deity of your choice that they allow you a chance to improve the world. “First, do no harm” is also a pretty good start. “Leave things a little better off than when you find them” is a hell of a second step.<\/p>\n
Be happy that you have acquaintances, loved ones, human connections of any sort. Or no connections – whatever floats your boat.<\/p>\n
Me, I’m grateful you have put up with my column drivel for the last year or so and my comments for what, a decade or more before that? Thank YOU.<\/p>\n
And a shout-out to books, well-tuned cars,\u00a0 good tools, sharp knives, good guns wisely used, accurate handloads, bourbon, good music of any genre, and my wife.<\/p>\n
And especially, Happy Birthday to my eldest daughter (who has blessed me with four amazing kids, chose a great son-in-law, and brightens my life.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"