Thanksgiving a time of gratitude for one’s blessings
From our weekly issue dated November 26, 2008
More Americans than ever will cook at home or share a meal with friends this Thanksgiving.
In years past, many would take Thanksgiving week to travel; to visit relatives or take vacations to warm, sunny places. This year, the challenge is to do something differently due to the poor economy and high travel costs.
Those with holiday house guests may need ideas. Here is food for thought:
- Volunteer to help set-up, serve or clean up at the Cave Junction Cares Thanksgiving dinner (noon to 2 p.m.) in Jubilee Park. This can easily be worked around personal dinner schedules. Donations are also welcome anytime for this cause, and can be sent to Lynn Boucher Johnson at P.O. Box 1841, Cave Junction OR 97523.
- Tour valley wineries and enjoy dinner in one of the valley’s restaurants.
- Visit someone you know in a nursing home or who is homebound, and spend time with them. Take a pretty photo or drawing, fresh flowers, handmade soap, or a dessert, according to their health limitations. You will cheer them up immensely by such a simple act.
- Cook at home and invite friends to join you with potluck offerings.
- Take dinner to a nearby homebound friend or relative and share it with them.
- Enjoy snow sports at Page Sno-Park on Happy Camp Road, approximately 10 miles east of Hwy. 199. Check for snow conditions and a parking permit.
- Hike to see salmon spawning near Eight Dollar Mountain Road at Little Falls, or Illinois River “Forks” State Park, or Rogue River just off Ringuette Road, north of the fairgrounds in Grants Pass (view Rogue River from the bike path).
- Drive to Grayback Mountain, Page Mountain, Sanger Peak or Babyfoot Lake (with four-wheel-drive vehicle) to photograph the views and mountaintop snows. Check with the U.S. Forest Service for road conditions.
- Hike some of the many trails in Illinois Valley such as the Illinois River Trail off forest service road 1161; T.J. Howell Botanical Drive and trails (Eight Dollar Mountain Road to road 4201 to Babyfoot Lake). Check http://user.cavenet.com/rpbrandt/botanydrive/ for more information.
- Visit the coast for a brief getaway at an RV campground, motel or inn. Rates are lower from November to April. Beach walks are often spectacular, and Dungeness crab can be so fresh and tasty.
- Take the family to a nearby ski resort.
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Whatever you do for Thanksgiving, remember to count your blessings. You will be surprised at how many you actually have. Share your time with others, and enjoy laughter and fellowship. The gift of yourself you give to friends, family or strangers during this sometimes lonely holiday will be priceless.
You are sure to feel good about yourself as a result.
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