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We would switch from my grandmother's house, to my Aunt June and Uncle Audy's house. We usually had 16 people attending. One long table with a card table set up for some of the little people. Often as children, we would run around chasing each other, or running up the street and back.

I still love the smell of turkey and dressing. Dark meat would be my choice, along with the heart and gizzard. Sweet potatoes would always be served along with fluffy mashed potatoes. I made sure I took enough gravy to cover most of my plate. Cranberry sauce, my favorite kind, would be the clear kind. Oh yum!!

There were always several kinds of pie; pumpkin, apple, and banana cream. Ice cream was served with the apple pie, and whipped cream with the pumpkin.

This was a very serious occasion. Good eats, and cousins.

My father had 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Mel, Audy, Vicky, and Bertha.

His sister Bertha and her husband Larry lived in Ketchikan, Alaska. When I was in Junior High, (in the early 60s,) my family, including my dads mother, drove our 1957 Chevrolet Station Wagon up from Duluth, through Hope, Banff, and Medicine Hat, Alberta Canada, then up to Prince Rupert. The last 100 miles to Prince Rupert was a two lane dusty dirt road. We took a sea plane from Prince Rupert, and flew, landing in the water, taxiing up to a dock on the shore of Ketchikan.

My first plane ride! My eyes got as big as saucers as we hit the water! It was a small town. I remember looking at several forested places along the road which went to my aunts house. Even if it was in someones backyard, it was a jungle. Absolutely impassable to climb through. Ketchikan is located by the sea. I would walk across the road and down a small bank, each morning. One special morning the sand was covered with starfish. Some were light yellow, gold, purple, blue, or a red rust color. All different colors. It was amazing. My Uncle Larry Star, owned a downtown upholstery shop. I spent several days in the shop with him. I don't remember much else, except tall totem poles

Thanksgiving is all about family. Some around home and others at a distance. Traditions will change over time. As family members get married, acquiring a new family, making traditional traditions mix with new possibilities. Children as they get older will acquire new interests. It is a good thing to bring new experiences into their box of memories. I remember when we lived in Chicago, we went to the ballet, "The Nutcracker Suite". I don't know how much Londa remembers it, but it was quite a production. We lived in Chicago for three years. Londa was in high school. Take advantage of the opportunities given when you are in new places.

Living in Roseau has been really fun. I remember in the past we, Joe and I, and Londa and Marlin, went up to Winnipeg, stayed overnight, and ate at a Indian Restaurant! It was so fine! We have access to a lot of great adventures and entertainment.

Flexibility is so important, and events need to have everyone considered. Like going to Disney World. We have seen families with very small exhausted children, exhausted from the heat, exhausted from all the walking. They cry and cry creating a miserable time for everyone.

This year will be different, things have been a lot of different since Joe's passing. I am taking things day by day, but in it all working several plans. At times retreating, at other times pushing forward. Like I said it is a day by day thing. Friends like Jan Herseth, and Deb Novotny, not to mention, more friends like Marilyn, Milly Lilly, Bernie and Mona, praying, coming over and bringing treats. I am so thankful. Then there are my good neighbors, all of them gifts of the Lord. Oh, and I will never forget my nightly phone call from Marianne, Oh!!! how I treasure her, and her feeding me Roseau Mush!

Words of Wisdom From Pastor Joe

Matthew 13:44-46 New Living Translation

Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!