A Thankful Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful for:

• The health and wellbeing of my family and friends.
• Food, shelter and clean water.
• One very reliable automobile.
• That I have everything I need, and lack for nothing.
• My job as an RN that pays well enough to work part time while still earning a living wage.
• A functional kitchen that while is not magazine-worthy, can still handle a full day of baking and Thanksgiving prep. (Even though we’re not hosting today, I did make six pies, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, our dinner, plus a huge batch of chopped garlic yesterday.)
• Library audiobooks to download. I went through a Janet Ivanovich and an Agatha Christie yesterday!
• Delicious pumpkin pies, which were made using the puree from this year’s jack-o-lanterns.
• Wonderful readers who support one another and step up when any of us are in need with advice or even a pity haircut.
• My neighborhood and culture where I never have to worry about the safety of my sons.
• Both of my next-door-neighbors who both get non-consumerism and are happy to lend, borrow and support one another. (No Joneses here!)
• Ridiculously selfish kitty cats who show us love when their bowls are empty.
• My patients who put their trust in me when it’s time to bring a new life into the world.
• Portland’s thriving second hand market. Whether it’s Goodwill or a free pile. I’m almost always able to buy used without any extra effort.
• Living in an era of modern medicine.
• Electricity, natural gas and central heating.
• The love and support of my family.

Happy Thanksgiving, fellow non-consumers!

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”