Thanksgiving

Canadian Thanksgiving takes place in October and this year, the weekend dawned sunny and warm. So warm in fact that the usual parade of closing the deck and garden for the season seemed terribly premature. However, since Simone is of a pragmatic mindset, put away the deck furniture she did, reasoning that it felt much nicer doing this while the sun shone and a warm breeze tickled at your hair than when it was raining (or, forbid it, snowing!) and a cold wind ripped through your spine.

And then it was time for the annual, inevitable family gathering. Simone's sister-in-law hosted and everyone got invited in spite of the small quarters in her home. Dogs, children, grandchildren for a total of three dogs, one cat and 15 people. Given the number of people, dinner was a serve yourself affair, followed by entertainment, provided by the younger set. Some naysayers preferred to avoid the entertainment and trailed out to the backyard where the sun beamed down, both bright and warm. Simone's sister-in-law was obviously of a different mindset: her patio furniture still stood on her deck.

The dogs frolicked in the yard, escaped a couple of times. The children went to the playground. And then, sadly, it was time to go. But for a few hours, with everyone there, Simone felt surrounded and at peace.