As we approach Thanksgiving, we are filled with gratitude for our lives full of love and family and friends and for the beauty of the earth. We are especially thankful for the partnership and trust of the teachers and administrators in schools where we have worked, and for all of you out there who take the time to read our posts.

We have been taking regular long walks around our town appreciating the various views and small touches that people leave to brighten the days of passersby.

We have watched this little free library grow from one stand to three. Now one includes a collection of food goods to leave or to take.

This house on a small alley that connects two parts of town always has something of beauty to behold as a gift for those who notice.

In Community Chorus we are singing a piece entitled The Light of Late November. It is a poem by Barbara Crooker composed as a choral piece in four parts by Dale Trumbore. I include it here for your contemplation.

Praise the light of late November,
the thin sunlight that goes deep in the bones.
Praise the crows chattering in the oak trees;
though they are clothed in night, they do not
despair. Praise what little there’s left:
the small boats of milkweed pods, husks, hulls,
shells, the architecture of trees. Praise the meadow
of dried weeds: yarrow, goldenrod, chicory,
the remains of summer. Praise the blue sky
that hasn’t cracked yet. Praise the sun slipping down
behind the beechnuts, praise the quilt of leaves
that covers the grass: Scarlet Oak, Sweet Gum,
Sugar Maple. Though darkness gathers, praise our crazy
fallen world; it’s all we have, and it’s never enough.

We wish you all a heartwarming and blessed Thanksgiving,

Louise and Ashley