We Love Lucy

Even before we finished off the Thanksgiving turkey it was time to take down the Thanksgiving decorations and start decorating for Christmas.  Thanksgiving came later than usual this year.  So December began a mere four days after Thanksgiving Day.

In 1939 Franklin Delano Roosevelt changed the date for Thanksgiving from the traditional fourth Thursday in November to the third Thursday in November.  That year, traditional Thanksgiving Day would otherwise occur on November 30.  The US economy was not good with the country coming out of the great depression, World War II was beginning in Europe and retailers felt that the shortened Christmas shopping season would be devastating for businesses.  So Roosevelt issued a Presidential Proclamation changing the date of Thanksgiving to the third Thursday of November.

The Proclamation was met with confusion and dismay by many.  Football was king even then, and games would need to be re-scheduled.  School vacations would need to be changed and all calendars would be incorrect.  Roosevelt's political enemies loudly questioned the President's authority to change the date of Thanksgiving.  The Proclamation was so divisive that many states decided not to abide by it and to keep the original Thanksgiving date.  In fact, twenty-three states kept the original date for celebrating Thanksgiving Day and twenty-three states followed the Proclamation and celebrated Thanksgiving on the third Thursday.  The folks in Colorado and Texas were lucky...they celebrated two Thanksgiving Days that year; one on the third Thursday and another on the fourth Thursday.  Roosevelt changed the date to the second-to-last Thursday in November again in 1940 and more states followed that date.

In 1941 Congress passed a law that Thanksgiving Day would be on the fourth Thursday in November.  And so it has been.  I must admit, I wish we had kept it the third Thursday.  I think it just might give it the attention it deserves.  Now it seems Thanksgiving is almost forgotten under the rush to Christmas.  And it's one of my favorite holidays.

We always enjoy Thanksgiving whether we are with family and friends or just the two of us.  And a too-large turkey.  We had a quiet day but we felt rushed to move toward the Christmas season too soon afterward.

Lucy does not recognize anything special about Thanksgiving.  Unlike many pet owners, we do not give her any turkey or dressing.  We did give her some freeze-dried sweet potato treats that she loves and she was quite happy with that.

Like many dogs, Lucy sleeps in a variety of positions.  Sometimes she stretches out full length and other times she curls up like a cat.  (My husband prefers that we can it curling up like a puppy.)

She stirred when I approached with the camera.

But then quickly snoozed again.

These past few weeks have been troublesome in our country and in many places around the world.  Today's quote comes from a few lyrics of a song written in 1955 by Jill Jackson Miller and Sy Miller:

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.

Let peace begin with me let this be the moment now.
With every step I take let this be my solemn vow:
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth and let it being with me.

We are indeed brothers and sisters on this planet and peace will come only when we recognize that fact and stop isolating ourselves from the rest of the nation and world.  We're all in this together and what affects one affects us all.

HAVE A WONDERFUL AND PEACEFUL WEEKEND, EVERYONE

We Love Lucy

The new fireplace is finished and we love it.  I am pleased to tell you that Lucy does not mind at all that her eight-inch hearth as been taken down and the new hearth (actually the top of the old hearth) is a mere two inches high.  She finds it very comfortable indeed.  And it doesn't stretch her neck so much.

Please don't make me get up.  This is so cozy.

We will be repeating Thanksgiving dinner for some days to come.  Dear husband brought home a fresh turkey.  A 15-pound fresh turkey.  The man will happily eat turkey until the turkey is all gone.  We had a quiet dinner and a lovely day.

French novelist Marcel Proust gives us our quote for the week:
"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy.  They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."

There is no better person than the one who makes us happy.  In times of trouble and stress, we turn to these people and we are so grateful to them.  I hope you have these wonderful gardeners in your own life.  Tell them just how important they are to you and how grateful you are to know them.

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND, EVERYONE AND GIVE THANKS FOR ALL YOUR BLESSINGS.

We Love Lucy

No sooner did we see our second hummingbird than we witnessed conflict between the two.  They twirled around each other like tiny helicopters and one of them fell to the deck.  Lucy was lying in her bed and watched the recovery.

Lucy reflected in the glass

 She attentively watches the little bird

 She stands and her tail wags each time the bird moves

It's hard to believe the first quarter of 2014 has passed already.  This winter and spring have brought very unusual weather to us here in the mountains and to many areas around the globe.

We have so much to be thankful for as we note how many people on our planet are suffering and dying.  Natural disasters have taken a toll and humankind perhaps a larger toll.  Our thoughts turn to those in pain around the world.

Today's quote comes from Maya Angelou.  They are words we should all heed.

"During bad circumstances, which is the human inheritance, you must decide not to be reduced.  You have your humanity, and you must not allow anything to reduce that.  We are obliged to know we are global citizens.  Disasters remind us we are world citizens whether we like it or not."

So think of your fellow citizens of the world.  Help those in need, here and abroad.

HAVE A SAFE AND WONDERFUL WEEKEND, EVERYONE!!!

We Love Lucy

Lucy seems to be getting happier and more frisky.  While I am sure she still misses Ellie (don't we all?) she is more playful and is her old super excited self when my husband takes her for a ride.

I think it helped a great deal that our daughter was here over Christmas.  One more person to pet and fawn over her, and that's what Lucy adores.  It was hard for our daughter as she had to grieve once more over Ellie's sudden death.  The news was bad enough for her in Milwaukee, but being here in the house without Ellie brought more pain.  Ellie loved our daughter so much and sat by her side when she was here.

We are delighted that Lucy is so much improved.  Whatever the reason we are glad to see her more like her old self.

She looks like the princess she believes herself to be.

As you go about this new year, please continue to send messages to the Deity of your choice for the health of a brave young man awaiting a heart transplant.  HERE  The son of a fellow blogger, he has not had a good 2013 so please send thoughts that 2014 will bring him a new heart and good health.

Our quote for this week comes from the Buddha.  May our elected leaders follow it:

There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth...not going all the way, and not starting.

MAY THIS FIRST WEEKEND OF 2014 BE A GOOD ONE FOR ALL OF YOU.  YOUR SLATE IS CLEAN.