I love, love this group around our table! Our son,Shea, his Kim and baby Lena were sorely missed and we're praying for a safe journey as they travel back home again from their visit to Kim's family ... We didn't make it "home" this year to be with the extended family - but our thoughts were with them just the same.

God Bless you all -- I hope your day was a happy, love-filled one!

I wrote this poem years ago - but it's where my mind and my heart go every year without fail ...

Pilgrims

We make our journey home
each year to pick clean
the Thanksgiving turkey
and rattle family bones.

We know our roles
play them well,
regress or stretch and swell to fit
our place at table,
our spot in photographs,
our corner.

I wander about the overflowing house
to an empty room and a seat by the window.
Voices fade, the moment surreal,
I strain to see and feel
the ghosts that swirl among
the bronzed leaves of autumns past.

They're all here.
They come to me, chilled
I will them to stay
warm themselves by the fire
that burns in the heart of a family.

Copyright ©2000 Susan M. Kennedy

He also liked the peas ... the mashed potoes -- NOT so much! ;-)

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My mother's dressing and applesauce cake recipies on one page - my mother-in-law's Asparagus Casserole on the other ... I watched tv as I cooked and baked into the wee hours - but as I recall, back when my mom was preparing Thanksgiving dinner for the hoards tv programming ended for the night at around 11:00 p.m. - with the National Anthem, the Lord's Prayer and a stern voice saying, "The time is now 11:00 o'clock p.m.; do you know where YOUR children are?"

Just got me thinkin' ....

They shall grow not old
As we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them
Nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun.
And in the morning
We shall remember them.

~ By Laurence Binyon ~

 Yesterday was the Marine Corps Birthday & 7 yr old Zachary had to try on Grandpa's gear and see his dress whites ... one more time! He plans to be a Marine Officer like Grandpa when he grows into this hat.

This is dedicated to Zachary's Grandpa, NavyMan Papa Baker, to cousin Gary killed in Iraq and to all the Veterans of this great nation. Thank you.

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Autumn on Fire

Autumn on Fire, originally uploaded by Sparky2*.

Autumn on Fire
Best to view full screen ...

I always get so sentimental at this - my favorite - time of year. Enjoy this "fireworks" show to Dr. John's mellow "In A Sentimental Mood" ... :-)

I think my neighbors are finally getting used to seeing me pressed up against their back fence with my camera pointed up into the overhanging branches of their beautiful trees! Bless 'em! ;-)