Giving Thanks

Carol at Carol Knits began Thankful Thursdays - a weekly post about being thankful. I thought it was a terrific idea, one that  I would like to continue way past November.  I've enjoyed reading Carol's posts as well as others who are following suit.

I am profoundly thankful for an enduring and loving relationship with my husband, Eric. 

He is interested in the things that captivate me and does so many things to support my interests- whether it is art or wild life. Here's one example - a number of years ago I became interested in blue birds.  (I still am and will write a post about that shortly.)  The blue birds led us to become wild life rehabilitators of small mammals.  Eric was so supportive of my interest that he came home on his lunch hour to bottle feed orphaned squirrels when I could not be there.  (He worked fifteen minutes away.)  

And then there were the opossums...Here's a picture of us releasing opossums - we had a "tailgate" dinner party first....then a lighting of a candle and a reading of a poem...yes, I am over the moon (thankful) for opossums.

As an aside, opossums are fantastic critters.  Many people don't know that they will kill poisonous snakes (they are immune to the venom) or that they are smart and affectionate. They loved to sit on my shoulder and pull my hair.  Oh, yeah, and they can be litter trained.  We had a multi level ferret cage in the garage - their bathroom was on the first level....they kept their quarters immaculate (unlike the squirrels).  If you are interested, here is a link to an incredible story about a rehabilitator and an opossum, Andy.   Opossums are lovely creatures.

I am profoundly thankful for our wonderful canine companions who love me unconditionally.  They are wonderful teachers...

We are in the middle of an intense Nor'easter storm and I am profoundly thankful for being safe, dry and warm.  I am also thankful for a gift from a friend - a red, hooded raincoat that has seen quite a bit of use in the last twenty four hours. (There are lady bug pockets on the side that are the perfect size for carrying a biscuit-snack.)

Such protection helped to keep this poodle diva's newly coiffed hair-do (and ribbons) pristine...

I am thankful for these three foot high impatiens - and I bet after taking a beating from this storm that they will snap right back. (I took the picture about an hour ago during the storm.) They provide a lesson in resiliency (and partying on).  I am betting that they will be partying with us on Thanksgiving.