Thanksgiving

 

I like the thought of thanksgiving
We don’t do enough of it.
That is probably because we seldom go to church as a nation.
Mind you thanking God is something I’ve never done

So what am I thankful for? 
Recently I’m thankful that the people I care about , generally are well and healthy
As you know I haven’t been feeling well recently and this doesn’t half focus the mind about what is important 
Health is important 

And it’s a concept you only subscribe to when you are older 

Storm Arwen roared into Wales last night. An old friend from ITU had her roof blown off  ( reported “live” on Facebook) and on the way home this morning , I noticed scores of trees had been felled on either side of the A55 and on the village Whats app group Karen M had shared that her greenhouse had moved next door.
When I got home, I spied my old flower Show nemesis Terry, retrieving the contents of my recycling bins from all down the Lane and after a quick check of the cottage , I found nothing more than cosmetic damage to planters, and bushes even though food tins filled the Lane verges like confetti 

I smiled before I took the dogs to bed

Even my delicate young laburnum sapling in the churchyard had survived the night 

54 comments:

  1. Being thankful for good health is a big deal and I completely agree with you. It affects just about everything in life when we are ill and life changes completely. It's worrying how long your problem is continuing. Could it be a recurrent chronic UTI where the infection is embedded in a biofilm? This is apparently so much harder to treat, keeps on returning, and doesn't always show up on the regular testing. I hope they find some way to help you soon as it drags you down so much with each attack. So hard to look after yourself when you are working too.

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    1. My husband had a chronic UTI for months and months, he kept being given 5 or 7 days worth of antibiotics, which calmed the symptoms, but didn't clear them completely. Within a week or 2, they'd be back again with a vengeance. I googled and found lots of evidence to show that a more robust system was needed - strong antibiotics to clear the infection, followed by an ongoing maintenance dose (ie every day from then on). His GP agreed to this last year, he had the initial 2 week course of strong antibiotics, followed by another blood and wee test to check it had cleared (it had), and he's been on a low maintenance dose ever since. No more UTIs since.

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    2. It is so positive to hear of a solution being found for your husband. It's such a horrible, debilitating condition.

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    3. I feel a bit better after a days worth of stronger antibiotics…
      Good job I checked the tables one was not the one prescribed

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    4. It's always necessary to check what"they"put in those little bags-A while back I had a panic attack and the Dr prescribed me beta blockers-He said to get a repeat prescription afterwards-I collected from the chemist and looked in the bag and noticed the pack was larger I told the pharmacist who immediately phoned Dr to clarify-she was quite irritated with him because he had accidentally accidentally prescribed me stronger beta blockers which would have not been good x

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  2. Hope someone can find the cause of the recurring problem very soon - just doesn't seem right.

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  3. A concept you only subscribe to when you get older - or when your health is permanently compromised.

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  4. I suppose being thankful is a spiritual thing although I don't think it's necessary to believe in a god. I always say thank you to whatever's out there if a good thing happens - even catching a pot before it boils over. So sorry you are still struggling with your health. I hope you feel better really soon. xx

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  5. Joan (Devon)9:12 am

    Unless you have issues when you're young you don't realise how important your health is. It's only when you get older and things start showing themselves that you realise you're not as invincible as you thought you were.

    The UTI must be getting you down when it keeps coming back. Maybe MarisAna has given you food for thought. Hope so.

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    1. Yes I’ve had some good advice here x

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  6. In the motherland we give thanks to the HARVEST, largely in rural areas, and it's a religious day. Come to think of it what did/do they do when the harvest wasn't plentiful and there is little to be thankful for? Weep? Curse the gods? Take it in their stride most likely.

    My grandparents both of whom knew deprivations in the wake of two world wars always gave thanks, at table, for "our daily bread" when we ate our main meal. Well, it was me who said the words out loud. It sort of focussed my mind rather than taking the full plate for granted. And, no, they weren't religious. Just grateful, mindful.

    U

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    1. My grandparents who lived through the war, loved their food. It was always a joy eating with them as they appreciated even the most simple of meals

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  7. I've had over 25yrs to mull over the concept of appreciating health when you've got it. I'm not ill though, but I have a disability which severely impacts my ability to lead a full life. You've actually been lucky so far!
    I've never heard wind like that of last night, and it's still very strong in South West Wales. I've not been out to check for damage yet, but what I can see seems fairly OK.

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    1. Yes I’ve had almost 60 years of fairly robust good health , I have beeen lucky

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  8. Christmas Day and Boxing Day is quite enough and judging by family bloggers tales there is no shortgage of family get togethers around the country as and when they want them, Covid permitting. For the rest of us it would be just another day of having to say we are doing very little and making the right noises to convince others that we are ok.

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    1. Understood , mines going to be a bit of both

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  9. Glad you had no damage!

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  10. Lynn Marie11:49 am

    The nice thing about Thanksgiving in the US and Canada is that, as celebrated, it's not explicitly religious. It's an extremely flexible holiday: no presents involved; you can go to church or not if it offers services (most churches don't); you can go around the table and have each person say what they're thankful for; you can just eat turkey and watch football if you want. It mostly does involve getting together with friends, and/or family, and/or even strangers. It's a nice thing.

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    1. That’s what I like about it…pity it’s so bear Christmas

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  11. Thanksgiving is a nice idea and it doesn't have to have any of that God stuff linked in. I give thanks that I have reached the age of 68, that we have a roof over our heads, food in the pantry, two wonderful adult "children" and a beautiful granddaughter and that Mr Johnson is the noble leader of our great country... (Hee hee! I lied about the last one!)

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    1. Yes , we do need to be more positive . I’m tired of listening to people who think they have nothing

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  12. You've had a stronger version of this gale than I've had here in East Yorkshire this week. Blowing a hooley but nothing's fallen down or fallen over. Yet.

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  13. How do you feel about the death of Steven Sondheim?

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    1. I’m ambivalent , I’m not a lover of his work but appreciate his skill

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  14. If it was bad over there in the west you can imagine what it was like over here in the east. As far as I know everything is alright here with me but I am not going out to see. The wind is gradually subsiding and the snow has almost gone. In fact the forecast for next week is not bad at all, x

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    1. Yes I see you’ve had snow , I’m due to go to chatsworth house next week I hope it clears

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  15. Glad to hear you have weathered the storm, with only minor and cosmetic damages. Every passing storm, every passing year, leaves it's collective mark, and that is how we become who we are.

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  16. Lots to be thankful for in our covid caution: It was the first time my vaccinated family had been together indoors probably since Christmas 2019. (have had picnics outside) The food was great, but there is great joy in sitting around the table together, too.
    Bonnie in Minneapolis

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    1. It looks as though masks are to be worn in England again, good

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  17. Yes, John, thanksgiving with a small "t". Something we can do every day! I am grateful for many things and it is good to tell people when I am grateful for them!
    I am thankful for your blog! xx

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    1. That’s kind and timely and much needed today thank u

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  18. Barbara Anne2:47 pm

    I am thankful for lots of occurrences, some "things", some people, books, flowers, fabrics, hobbies, colors, and think that being thankful keeps me kinder and from feeling that I'm the center of the universe or of anything. Works for me.

    I was very interested to read the comments from MarisAna and Sooze about long term treatment for persistent UTIs. Hope you'll research that and present the evidence to your doctor. If that doctor won't listen, find another doctor! When I was bitten by a Lyme disease tick, I found treatment better than what the Center for Disease Control recommended and my doctor listened.

    Sweet dreams!

    Hugs!

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    1. I’m awaiting a specialist review Babs

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  19. The waitresses at the pub we went to for Thanksgiving said a similar thing -- that Britain needs some similar day devoted to gratitude. I suppose EVERY day should be that, ideally! I, for one, am also thankful that your sapling survived.

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    1. It’s funny to be so attached to a small tree

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  20. I've heard of people keeping a "thankfulness" journal. Every day you write down 3 things that you are thankful for. It can be something as simple as a good cup of coffee, but it makes you appreciate each day. I guess it's a bit like the old hymn "Count your blessings, name them one by one". I hope you can get the UTI under control, or better still, eradicated. xx

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  21. That young laburnum is made of sturdy stuff!

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  22. Thanksgiving is a great gathering and feast for friends and family. I cooked and hosted this year. John, you should have a Thanksgiving feast and invite all those you love. You'll love it! It will bring joy to everyone.

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    1. Perhaps a new tradition. Eh?

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    2. Barbara Anne1:35 am

      Ever since the first Thanksgiving that our older son couldn't come home, he (now he and his wife) always host An Orphan's Thanksgiving and invite those they know who cannot go to their parents' homes for Thanksgiving. It's always a pot luck with all comers bringing their favorite recipe and it's always fun for all.

      Hugs!

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  23. I am grateful for my lot-But can't be arsed with people who moan and groan about nothing-negative nellies-some of them are not happy unless they are miserable-and trouble f ing making-they can slop around in their own c**p - I choose to skip along with toto(s) x

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    1. Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore

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    2. but it will be absolutely fine with Toto-if a little bit scary x

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  24. Goodness, what drama but not in your yard. Hope you slept well.

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  25. I do hope you will soon feel better! You've been dealing with all this much too long. I'm glad the storm did not cause you any serious damage.

    For us Thanksgiving is the second biggest holiday of the year. It's not really a religious holiday but more a day to spend time with family and friends and to be thankful for them and for the good in your life. It is full of tradition and love.

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  26. Feeling healthy is something that I seem to take for granted until the time that I'm under the weather. Which leads quite nicely into I'm glad you managed to get through Arwen relatively unscathed.

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