Thanksgiving What a Wonderful Day

Another year has past. Hard to believe how quickly they fly by, and great it is to live during these trying times for our Country. This day brings it all together with the very best of this Nation. You can see it in all the Volunteerism throughout the land, and the coming together of families for merely food and conversation, maybe a board game or work on a jig-saw puzzle. Some people we only see a few times a year others we see regularly, but it is all good and gives me warm feeling in my heart and soul. Why we can't have these feelings every day is beyond me, we don't have to work hard to feel this well about our fellow man.
This year once again, I prepared the onions, celery (home grown), and bread for the stuffing in the bird and out of the bird. I have had this task for years and I really enjoy doing it. I never remember the amounts for each ingredient, 10 cups of cubed bread, 6 cups each of diced celery and onions. Oh well it always seems to come out all right.
This year I did have a bit of saddening realization for myself. After the last piece of pumpkin pie was eaten and all the family and friends had headed home I realized that I may never be able to enjoy those tastes of my favorite meals again. The turkey dinner is right up there at the top of those favorites, along with Joyce's fried chicken, liver and onions, chili and potato salad, fruit pies of any kind,an ice cold Guiness and many more. This should not have been a big shock to me, but it was. I have been going to speech and swallowing therapy for almost a year, with some advancement in my speech but really none in the swallowing department. I thought that is alright I enjoy the aromas and the colors of the various dishes, as well as the incredible conversation that goes around the table. I decided tonight not to be depressed over this missing enjoyment and focus more on what I do have. A warm loving family and friends who care deeply about me, as I do about them. In this light my inability to eat seems rather insignificant. So I'm very Thankful.

Santa Barbara Tea Fire

It is finally 100% contained, Monticeto fire, that is. What an incredible week of loss once again in California. A fire started by rambucious kids at an old place in the Monticito area of Santa Barbara. We have family up there and were very concerned about their well being as well as their properties. Fortunately they are fine as is their property. It did come very close, far too close for comfort. This is a view the fire from George and Susan's Home, as are all the others here. Taken by Susan, shortly before they had to evacuate. They went down to some friends house in Santa Barbara, where they had a view of their home. While sitting , watching the advancing fire near their home the saw an aircraft make a direct drop on the edge of their property stopping the fire in it's tracks.
Hard to imagine the pain all those people that lost all their vauables, as well as, and more importantly their invaluables. Now we hear their was a water shortage at some of the hydrants further south. How can that be??? We can understand the fierceness of the fire that overwhelmed the fireman in the mobile home park. Orange county seems to have played roulette with the fire prepardness after the previous fires we have suffered thru. How can we allow poloticians do this to us again, and again.

Help with Picasa The Google Photo Tool

Well Folks Halloween has passed and it was wonderful!! I think we had the most children ever. We also decorated the most we have ever done. We almost ran out of candy. We had friends over to play cards while the kids knocked at the door we took turns answering the door.I took pictures of the gremlins and goblins they were pretty cute.
Now to my question if any one knows, Why, when using Picasa( Google's Photo editing program) I can bring up photos to e-mail but , Picasa does not recognize my contacts list from google. Any Ideas will be greatly appreciated.
We did not get to see our Dakota as she was up visiting Grandma ChaCha in Ojai. Fair is fair We did get to have her all day Saturday and some of Sunday morning, a little over 24 hours I think the longest she has ever been apart from her Mom. She was ready to go home when her Mom showed up this am. Dakota was Princess Auroara and a lovely one I must say. Her candy was a treasure and she had no problem sharing with her Gaugee.