Officially Thankful

Today is the official American holiday of thanks, based on a strange fun house mirror image of history. But I sweep all that aside (not because it doesn't matter, regular readers know my rants on injustice to oh so many), but because Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It's not too terribly commercialized; in fact, it's run over by the tank of the next holiday. It is, traditionally for me, about families and friends gathering and memories of past Thanksgivings with ones I love only here in spirit now, about being thankful for what we have in a conscious way.

And I am. My children, my grandchildren, my brother, my friends - I'm so blessed with true friends. This crazy, beautiful little island I call home, her people. The casita I live in, the cat who shares it with me. You, the readers of this bit of my head and heart I send out, bytes of bread on cyber waters. The chances I've had and taken that turned out with me being thankful, even if I didn't get it at the time. Getting older and being glad about it, even when the mirror takes me by surprise.

I got a call from Mary Ann, who told me she had a story for my blog, complete with photo. She was at Dinghy Dock when Rob called her from his boat. He was out on a charter off of Tamarindo,  when he saw a deer, chased into the water by dogs, start swimming to Luis Pena. He tried to gently shoo it back to the beach but it wasn't going to do that. It was obvious it was struggling and in trouble, so Rob tried to rescue it. Apparently though, it was literally scared to death. He called Mary Ann to ask her what the rules and regs were for such an event. Could he keep the deer? Did he need to report it?

Mary Ann told him that if it was documented the fact that he had truly tried to save the deer, he could keep it. Had he someone who could take a photo of him, trying to give the deer mouth to mouth resuscitation? He said, really? She said yes. He thought about it and decided that wasn't happening. Then he thought about it some more and realized that Mary Ann had been joking. "I almost DID that!" he said, while she laughed.

Instead, some friends who know what to do will do it, and the deer will be on the table for Thanksgiving. Another unforgettable Culebra meal and story, for which I am thankful. Thanks, Mary Ann, your sense of humor never ceases to catch me by surprise. Thanks, Rob, for trying to save the deer and for making sure his demise was not in vain. Thanks, whoever takes care of the deer. Thanks, charter guests, helping out in a weird situation.

Thanks, Culebra, for all the strange, weird and wonderful.

Now it's time to go back to makin' turkey and stuffin'. I'm in the midst of emailing my daughter back and forth (I know, people text, but I don't) who is about three steps ahead of me on the dressing. Which only means her kitchen smells better than mine earlier.

Have a great day of thankfulness. If you are lucky enough to have family you love with you (yep, that's a qualifier), lucky you! I will blow kisses and hugs from here to mine by blood and share the day with my family by heart, incredibly blessed to have food, clothing and shelter. Speaking of shelter, here is a great video, enjoy.

Have a Thankful Thursday (you saw that coming a mile away). Do something tantalizing.