Winter arrived during the night. We have had some light frosts but not a hard freeze….. today there is no more guessing about who is in power. The football game I watched last night, played in Pittsburgh, was mostly played with snow falling. Winter is closing in.

Thanksgiving is upon us and we are looking forward to the visit with John, Barb and LJ. Next week we will be traveling to LA to meet with other family members. Becky’s daughter, Jennifer and husband, Marc are joining us and we will have most of 5 days together before returning. George is driving down from Shawnee to take Becky and me with him. John and Barb are hosting the dinner this year and it will be the first trip to NO since Katrina for all of us. John and Barb were spared with little damage but the area surrounding them lost some of the huge beautiful Live Oaks, the majestic trees strung along the South.

Today is visiting day with Opal and then I will be having an early Thanksgiving dinner with Jonathan and his family tonight. We are sorry they can’t make the trip but with two smalll children it is almost impossible. You have to take everything in the house along to provide their needs for 4-5 days. Most of us have been there and done that as they say. However, there is so much more to haul now than there was with my children. The one advantage I would have liked is disposable diapers. It would have been a lot easier than the wash and wear kind.

As I have much to do before leaving for the South I want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving before we leave. I hope whatever your plans may be they will be safe and enjoyable. Grandma is going “over the river and through the woods” instead of the other way around. Yes sir………….times do change.

One thing that should never change is gratitude for a land of plenty and our choices that can be made because we are a free nation. The word Thanksgiving is a combination of two words that God loves to see in all of us……..thanks and giving. Thanks is for the gratitude we have because of Him and giving is one way He can see if we are maturing in our journey with Him. God loves a cheerful giver whether it is of our time, our money or possessions we own.

The older we grow the more we see the wisdom in giving…..and the ability to thank God and others for all they do for us. I am a great fan of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas………it is a beautiful example of someone who sees the wrong he has done to others and then the change when his evil deed didn’t stop their celebration of Christmas. I guess you could say it’s an animation of the book written about Scrooge……..so Happy Thanksgiving to all……..for all the right reasons.

Essentially Esther

Today would have been Rocky’s 77th birthday. I talked with his sister yesterday and this morning to his brother and wife…….we enjoyed sharing some of our favorite Rocky stories. The Rockenbach’s have been a close family, staying in contact with each other by phone and/or meeting one another at different places.

I am convinced when two hearts are torn apart they are never content until they are together again. Some people are fortunate and pick the right person to begin with but others through some strange twist of fate are separated never to see one another again. In our case we were blessed to find and marry one another the last six years of Rocky’s life. We were two who lived our dream in gratitude.

I took another picture of the front door to show the “Rockenbach” sign over the door. I found it in the garage and painted it to match the door so it could hang over as a welcome to all who enter here. In our phone conversation this morning, I learned Richard had made the sign for Rocky which even gives it more meaning.

Rocky’s heart was always for the farm. He grew up that way and though he left the farm he carried it with him always. I like to think that’s where he is now……gathering in the little animals he loved so much and seeing that they are well cared for. He spent his life picking up little strays and giving them a home.

Essentially Esther

I finally got my camera working again. I hadn’t taken any pictures for some time and when I went to use my camera it was dead as a doornail. Well, after fussing around for days I guess I was waiting for someone to tell me the batteries were in wrong. Now I am enthused once more and hope to do more picture taking pertaining to my blogs.

This picture is of the newly painted red door with the fall decorations. I wonder if any of you can tell something odd about the picture? It has to do with the door. That’s a big hint so let’s see who is observant.

I need to take new pictures of Napoleon with his winter look. I was so happy that he flew up in the big oak tree last night. He came running to the porch and looked in the window to let me know he was ready for supper. He ate hungrily and wanted more so we repeated the routine. I happened to look out a few minutes later as he flew up in the big oak tree out front……..first time this Fall. He takes turns around the neighborhood and enjoys any activity going on.

With the building of a new large house just down the street he spent time watching the men’s progress part of the day. He’s a very nosey bird and likes to be where people are……..mainly just to see what you’re doing and to have a little company. I remain his most important person because I’m the only one who feeds him. I just enjoy feeding him and all the cats……..something about it makes me feel good. It takes a lot of time to win their trust and I cherish that. It’s amazing how we are able to communicate with little critters……it is a special gift.

To leave with a good thought I read recently: Don’t let your worries get the best of you, remember, Moses started out as a basket case.

Essentially Esther

Many of you have no doubt seen this little guy on a FW but he's so cute I thought I'd put him on the blog today. Rocky's brother/sister-in-law sent the pic to me along with the story of Rupert. It seems his mother was hit by a car in England and little Rupert was saved but sadly, his mother didn't make it. I hope he fares well and lives to a ripe old age. I'm one who would rather shoot with a camera any day.
After reading Bambi and crying all the way through it as a child I have remained a true animal lover.

So for all of you who love critters, here is a cutie.

Essentially Esther

Good morning from the beautiful Ozarks……Fall is taking hold here after a long Indian Summer. I have heard from a lot of you who have enjoyed the same weather and this is our first day of a sizable drop in temperature. I remember moving here from Nebraska and on November 7th we picked a bushel of green beans the first year. My mom and dad thought they had come to Canaan Land. However it was an unusual weather event we were to find out later.

In the space of time since I last wrote I have been doing the seasonal yard clean-up. That remains to be finished. As the weather was holding I decided to go to work on the garage………it was piled high with plastic tubs, furniture and “stuff.” It seems to be the “extra” space I don’t have in the house. It is almost organized now and I’m thinking maybe I should use the garage for the reason it was built…..the car! I still have a few days to finish there.

John’s wife, Barbara, is in India with a church group of nurses and doctors. John has posted the news he has from there along with their week without her. She returns tomorrow afternoon. I know John, Bear and LJ will be glad to have her back. Read about it on his blog site.

I for one am glad the political commercials have come to an end. It seems we have been hearing campaign battles forever. For most of us, life doesn’t change much no matter who is in office, especially those of us who live in small towns and rural areas. Thank goodness for the NFL channel. Football is run by rules and regulations and something I can depend on. The expected format is always the same….one team wins, the other loses. I shall never figure out how grown men with bulging muscles can use their bodies for battering rams, jump up and run back to the huddle. Football is a crazy game, and not just on the field, the folks in the stands are rigged up in some of the most outlandish “get ups” that defies the imagination.

My energy and inspiration most often comes from poetry. Going through the tubs in the garage yesterday I came across a little booklet with some wise words.

MY CREED Written by Howard Arnold Walter

I would be true, for there are those who trust me;
I would be pure, for there are those who care;
I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;
I would be brave, for there is much to dare.

I would be a friend of all…..the foe, the friendless;
I would be giving and forget the gift;
I would be humble, for I know my weakness;
I would look up…and laugh…and love…and lift.

Essentially Esther