As this new day dawns—Thanksgiving Day— I think it’s appropriate that I take just a few minutes before the busy hustle/bustle of this holiday weekend takes over to give thanks.

In short, I’m thankful for:

• Four generations of family members to celebrate the holidays with
• An 87-year-old mother who inspires me on a daily basis
• A grandbaby on the way (OK, you’ve heard this before!)
• My wonderful husband who supports me even when he thinks I’m crazy (as in currently pursuing my Doctorate)
• Three grown kids who make me intensely proud!
• A career (working with kids and adults) that I love
• Purposeful work at school and home
• Our family farm full of animals and adventures
• Friends who “hold me up” and occasionally, let me “hold them up”
• A positive attitude despite everything around us in the news–and world–that could make us pessimistic
• “Enough” of all of the above!

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR ON THIS DAY OF THANKSGIVING?

It’s Friday again ALREADY, so that means it’s time for . . .

My “Aloha Friday” question this week is: 

 DOES YOUR FAMILY HAVE ANY VERY FAVORITE MOVIES

THAT HAVE BECOME CLASSICS FOR YOU???

When our kids were growing up, we all came to love:

• The Princess Bride
• Christmas Vacation
• The Great Outdoors
• Overboard

Now that they’re adults (pretty much!), we still come together around these movies, especially around the holidays!

HOW ABOUT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY–WHAT ARE YOUR ALL-TIME FAVORITE MOVIES?  ONES YOU ENJOY SO MUCH  THAT YOU CAN QUOTE YOUR FAVORITE LINES?

For instance. . .

• The Princess Bride–”As you wish!”
• The Great Outdoors–”Big, b-i-g, b-i-g, BEAR!”
• Overboard–”Everybody wants to be me!”

DO SHARE!!!!!!

 If you’d like to participate in more Aloha Friday questions, click on over to  An Island Life for Kailani’s  “Aloha Friday.” 

Not only is Duke a “farm dog,” he also goes to work every day with my DH on our construction site jobs.  He LOVES visiting with the guys during coffee breaks and at lunch time, and during that time, I guess he’s refined some more of his talents .

Just watch . . .

Seems that Duke can unscrew the top off any bottle.  Even though he has a big fresh bowl of water on the job at all times, he prefers the “social-ability” of joining the guys in cold water breaks in a more human fashion.  I told you he thinks he’s a person!

Oh, yes, he can also open the door at home to let himself out.  The only problem (especially in winter) is that he doesn’t CLOSE it after himself.  More on that another time . . .

Do tell about your animals that think they’re humans, too.  I’d love to hear your stories!

Living on a farm, tractors are usually connected to work, but this past weekend our boys had a little fun with their antique tractor!

Jonathan and Nathaniel entered their 1955 Ford 960, which they restored themselves to pretty pristine condition (if I do say so myself), in an Antique Tractor Pull at our town’s annual summer Corn & Potato Festival.

Jon was successful pulling more than 5,000 lbs. in the first round, pulling wheelies all the way.  (Note to guys:  aren’t “wheelie bars” in order for next time?)

In checking out the other antique tractors there,  I noticed they had all kinds of contraptions.  There were old Olivers, Farm-alls, and of course, John Deeres.  Ours was the only Ford there.

The guys were checking out their competition . . .

It was a beautiful, sunny, summer day.  There are always interesting sites at a fair that add to the festivities.  Here’s a take-off on your typical John Deere logo, which drew a bit of attention. (Actually, this “T” might be “R” rated!)

There were a few women drivers in the crowd, too, which was great to see!

Some of the “extras” on the tractors, like banners and paint jobs,  were quite spectatular. . .

I know my guys are scheming for the next round of Tractor Pulls, figuring how they can make their antique a little more high-tech!  It was so much fun to watch, remembering my boys on their pedal toy tractors as kids, now all grown up, but always kids at heart!

CONGRATS ON A GREAT JOB, JON!

. . .for the beach?

Well, no, not exactly, and certainly not if you’re a farmer!  It’s a PERFECT summer day for making hay!

It has to be hot—-really HOT—-with dry air, and if you can finagle a breeze in there, that would be great, but that doesn’t always happen.  If the air is too humid and heavy, the hay doesn’t dry well, and well—you don’t want moist hay.  That presents a smoldering, possible fire-hazzard later in the barn, if you put it away with moisture still in it.

What do I know about haying, anyway?  Well, I grew up on a farm and I remember it was always the HOTTEST days of summer when we were baling hay and carting it to the barn.  As the youngest of five, with three big brothers who were alot stronger, I usually got to drive the tractor while the boys picked up the bales.  Today, I’m watching my own sons, nephews, dear hubby, and brother-in-law do the bullwork, while I man the camera.

It’s a parade of sorts, with equipment today, as my brother-in-law, Bob, heads up the parade with the Ford 9700  . . .

Nate, my youngest son, is in the John Deere 5525.  (AC cab w/ music, I believe.) How does he rate?

After the cutting, the raking, and tedding (to dry out the hay), the tractor. . .

pulls the baler. . .

. . . which, in turn, pulls the hay wagon . . .

There’s a really neat “kicker” on the baler, which “kicks” about 150 bales into the wagon, until it’s full.  We didn’t have this when we were kids; that was a job for my brothers to do by hand.

Of course, there are times when the kicker overshoots the wagon . . .

Today, it was my nephew, Stephen’s job, to capture those run-away bales.

Then, there was the off-loading to trucks to cart the hay bales to the barn . . .

My DH was “on top” of that job!

Jonathan, our older son,  and Steve made quick work of moving the bales, as they tossed them with aplomb! 

Of course, dear Duke was “riding shotgun,” with Al,  as always!  Duke is always a supervisor of sorts . . .

Haying is  HOT work and one of my other “jobs” is to provide ice-cold drinks.  Nate (aka Nathaniel, although I’m the only one who calls him that these days)  takes a brief respite between loads while he re-hydrates.  Next, come the most sweltering job of all: moving the hay from the truck to the haymow, up high in the barn.  There’s absolutely no air circulation there!

When my hard-working guys got home, I had a  rib-sticking “cowboy dinner” waiting for them:  BBQ pork, macaroni and cheese, fresh garden salad with ranch dressing, and warm, Rustica rolls. 

Oh, did I mention that making hay was how they “topped off’ their day after a full-day’s work on their construction site?  I’m in awe of them . . .

Peach pie a la mode for dessert, anyone?

Want to meet an incredible little lady?

My Mom, known to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as “Mema,” celebrated her 87th birthday recently.  She is a spunky little lady (about 4′ 10″) who takes daily walks on her farm; feeds the chickens and collects their eggs; and plays ball with her grandchildren.  Mema has the most positive attitude of anyone I know, always seeing her glass has “half-full,” never “half-empty.”  She rejoices in the little pleasures in life, whether it’s visiting with a friend or taking a dip in the pool.  All this, despite the fact that advanced glaucoma has pretty much robbed her of her sight.  She never complains, but just keeps moving!  (That necklace she’s wearing sports my Dad’s wedding ring, who passed away several years ago.)

Happy 87th Birthday, Mema!

We recently celebrated Mema’s birthday with a pool party at our house, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  After dinner, we sat around a fire toasting marshmallows for S’mores and you’d think she was one of the kids.  She is so young at heart and she’s the exactly the kind of grandma I aspire to be someday!

When our kids were young, they loved to go visit Mema on her dairy farm.  Who else would spend hours with them in the barn as they watched the new calves, take them to the brook to go fishing, or teach them to knit and sew?  A favorite memory of my boys is when she let them create “spiderwebs” out of skeins of yarn all around the upstairs bedrooms, which mysteriously disappeared after they left, only for them to recreate another tangle of knots next time they visited.  What patience!

Happy 95th Birthday, Aunt Nancy!

Mema recently helped her neighbor and good friend, who we always referred to as “Aunt” Nancy growing up, celebrate her 95th birthday!  Maybe there’s hope for the rest of us!!!

Two brothers, two tractors, working the land . . . what a beautiful sight!

Inspired by Green Mamma and Imelda/Greenish Lady, I’ve decided to do a “Gratitude Sunday” post instead of a Sunday Stroll today.  I’ve gotten away from my “Thankful Thursday” posts a bit too long.

On this gray, rainy, Sunday at the end of March, I’m extremely thankful for:

• My wonderful family who seems seems to understand and support me, even when they question why I would want to start a Doctoral Program at this point in my life!?!
• GREAT friends, who also support me and push me to think about doing some even crazier things, like doing a mini-marathon (more on that another time!)

• A job/career that I love!  Working as a Math Specialist/Teacher in elementary schools, I have the opportunity to support children who are struggling; extend students who need enrichment; and provide training and collaboration to fellow teachers.
• A lifestyle that is continually evolving, as I attempt to live “mindfully” each day, thanks in large part of my daughter Abbie, at Farmer’s Daughter, and all my GREEN blogging friends out there, including you!  You all make me think so much!
• Electronics that make my life so much easier—and more difficult at the same time!  Now that I’m so dependent on the Internet, my Blackberry, digital camera, etc., I don’t think I could live without them!
• That the hope of spring is in the air, as the snow melts and warmer temps envelope us, new life emerges, in the green of plants and within animals on the farm.

For big things and small, I am so grateful.  Thanks for allowing me to count my blessings!

What are YOU feeling especially thankful for today?

I am often inspired by the generations around me, both older and younger, and this holiday season was no exception.

My  Mom (center) has the most positive attitude of any 86-year-old I know.  Recently, she wanted to show a granddaughter who lives in Texas how much she enjoyed her Christmas gift of a new “cowgirl” hat, so she posed for this picture with horses on her own farm. 

Despite being robbed of her sight by glaucoma over the years, she manages to be extremely agile, upbeat, and pretty darn technologically proficient.  Recently, we finally convinced her that she could use a cell phone (for her safety) after she accidentally locked herself in the chicken coop and had to crawl out the tiny “chicken door.”  Now, she uses her cell for enjoyment as well when she discovered that she has “free” nights and weekends, calling long-time friends who now live further away.

While “Mema” can be pretty hip, my daughter, two generations younger, can also be very fashionably ”old-fashioned.”    Abbie, also known as the Farmer’s Daughter, is another person who impresses me to no end, linking family values, social issues, and a purposeful lifestyle.  A teacher and environmentalist at heart, she “walks the talk,” living a green, old-fashioned lifestyle today, embracing family values, good old-fashioned cooking, growing and using local foods, sewing, knitting, and creating wonderful gifts of herself for those around her!

Each day I feel thankful for these incredible women around me.  Thank goodness for the three generations in our family!

I was inspired by Joyce, over at Tall Grass Worship, to reflect on all the many things we have to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season.  What a perfect opportunity to reflect and revisit some of my earlier “Thankful Thursday” posts.

To read about the women in my life that I’m thankful for, click on:

http://everydaywomanusa.wordpress.com/2008/08/01/thankful-thursday-2/

I’m also thankful for some simple things:

http://everydaywomanusa.wordpress.com/thankful-thursday/

To read about being thankful for ”going topless,” click here:

http://everydaywomanusa.wordpress.com/tag/thankful-thursday/

This particular Thursday, this Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for all these things and more.  Mostly, I’m thankful that as the winds swirl outside, I have a warm fire to warm my close family as we enjoy a meal together and share memories of holidays past and when our grown children act like kids again.  I’m grateful when what all the news shows lately is gloom and doom, we feel safe and warm in our little family circle.  I wish the same for you and your family.  And who knows, maybe I can even convince my family to usher in the Christmas season by enjoying a classic movie like “Christmas Vacation” or “Christmas with the Kranks” over leftovers and dessert tonight.  Wait . . . let me get my Christmas vest!

What are you feeling particularly thankful for today?  Please share it here, or on your own blog by posting a link.  Enjoy the day and thanks for taking a minute to reflect with me!