Thanksgiving

Since I don't seem able to do a daily thankful post, I thought I'd lump it into one. Every year there are certain days I look over what I have and give thanks for it. One of those, of course, is Thanksgiving.

I am very thankful for my family - parents, sisters, brother, daughter, grandchildren (and steps and halfs), nieces and nephews, cousins - and the friends who may not be genetic relatives but are family nonetheless.

I am thankful I have a job that allows me to work with the most amazing group of people. And I'm thankful my job gives me the opportunity to travel occasionally and pays well enough that I can travel for nothing but pleasure other times. And I am thankful that my health, although not great, is still good enough to make that travel fun.



Clock tower at Spokane, WA's, Riverfront Park



State Capitol and other buildings, Harrisburg, PA





Oahu's North Shore, Hawaii





old mission in San Antonio, Texas



Tombstone, Arizona

I'm thankful my friends like baseball and we can enjoy Cactus League Spring Training in Phoenix together. It's the best vacation after a long Fairbanks winter. And it's not too hot yet.

I'm thankful every day for the beauty of this place I call home. Whether it's right here in Fairbanks or down at Denali National Park, whether it's summer or winter - it's beautiful. Northern lights and the Alaska Range make the cold temperatures tolerable. And the glorious colors of grass and sky and flowers make the summers pure pleasure. How lucky I am to live here.

Above all this year, I am thankful my wonderful dad survived a heart attack, surgery and stroke and is recovering well. I love talking with him on the phone every weekend and I thank God every day for allowing us to have Dad for a while longer.

I know there's a lot I didn't cover here, but my life is so full of wonderful family and friends and good times, there's no way I could possibly touch on all of my blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.