The Meaning of Thanksgiving

THE TRUE MEANING OF THANKSGIVING

The true meaning of Thanksgiving focuses upon relationship. Thanksgiving is a relationship between God and man. Upon their arrival at New Plymouth, the Pilgrims composed The Mayflower Compact, which honored God.

Thanksgiving begins with acknowledging God as faithful, earnestly giving Him thanks, in advance, for His abundant blessings. “. . . In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).

Thanksgiving is an attitude of the heart that reinforces an intimate relationship with God.

I found this meaning online and wanted to share this with you all. I sometimes feel we, as Americans, have forgotten the path that brought us here to this great United States. Perhaps we have forgotten God, faith, friendships, relationships. To embrace those in need and less fortunate. To know that every person, no matter the color or nationality, is welcome here in this great land we call America. So for this one day, I wish for you a bountiful feast with friends and family and more in an effort to thank God for all the riches he has bestowed upon you and yours. Be safe, be happy and God Bless you in your journey no matter where the road takes you. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

A Wattle and A Snood

As I drove around the Elk and Bison Prairie recently, there were flocks of wild Turkeys foraging in the meadows. Most were off in the distance, but several were close enough to photograph. I cropped one image that caught my eye. I don't know why but a Turkey's brightly colored head has always been fascinating to me. His wattle, the fleshy skin that grows under his throat, is pink and bright red at the end. I read blood pools in the wattle when a Tom wants to attract a hen.

I read that Turkeys are a form of pheasant. I also read that the Tom's gobble while the females make a clicking sound. Also, that fleshy skin that grows above their forehead is a snood and also pools with blood when Tom is on the hunt. It appears from my photo, that Tom is definitely on the hunt for a lady. A new week is upon us, and need I say it, a new season is around the corner. Oh, Fall where art thou. Please bring us cooler temps soon. ENJOY!

Happy Thanksgiving

I'm not talking turkey here. I'm talking Happy Thanksgiving to everyone wherever you are, whoever you are sharing this holiday with. Eat lots of turkey and mashed potatoes and don't forget the pumpkin pie. Here's a little Turkey image to get you in the mood. ENJOY!

Wild Turkey!

For the last several weeks this turkey has been eating under my birdfeeder early in the morning and late in the evening. Don't know if he has lunch here too as I'm normally gone. It's odd to open the blinds in the morning and see this big turkey standing right outside your patio. It's not the typical thing you'll see a the birdfeeder so obviously I'm a little taken back every time I open the blinds and he's standing out there. There's a large field right behind my condo and when I come outside on the patio, Tom, that's what I've named him, goes a running for the field and cover. It's hilarious. Hope you're having a good week. Carol

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just a quick note to all of my followers and friends and folks just blogging by. Happy Thanksgiving to All! Don't eat too much turkey this week. ENJOY!

Thanksgiving is Coming!

As I entered Cade's Cove in the Smokies this past summer, the turkeys greeted me as they grazed out in the field. I took this photo not realizing my setting wasn't right on my camera but kept it anyway. Now wouldn't you know it, it's perfect for this week. Enjoy!

Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Cade's Cove is truly a gem basking in the midst of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cade's Cove features vast farmlands, historic buildings where the settlers of yesterday once thrived and various wildlife which you will encounter as you take the scenic motor tour through the valley. You can stop at any number of visitor stops and go inside many of the cabins and out buildings. You really get a feel for what the settlers lives were like when you venture out of your car.

Along this particular drive turkeys were grazing in various fields as I entered the cove. Just past the entrance, I spotted a black bear and her cubs making their way through a field to a nearby woods. Continuing on, I passed a huge valley floor with a large assortment of hay bales dotting the landscape. And then it happened, the unavoidable traffic jam. In the middle of Cade's Cove, there can only be one reason to encounter such a traffic jam, bears. I sat for probably 15 minutes and then finally decided to pull my car off to the shoulder, get out and walk up to the head of the traffic jam. Just as I walked closer to the head of the traffic, about six cars up what should come tromping across the road between two cars and disappearing into a field of tall grass, but quite a large black bear. WHOA! I'm pretty sure it was a Papa Bear too.

As the traffic jam dissipated, I get back in my vehicle to continue on the drive and what do I immediately encounter but a deer and her babies running at full romp across a pasture, hesitating at the fenceline, then jumping the fence, crossing the road, and disppearing into the adjacent woods. Something tells me a black bear just might have disrupted their leisurely afternoon. I hope you enjoy the picks as much as I enjoyed the drive through Cade's Cove. Needless to say, some of the animals were moving kind of fast that day while the vehicles were moving quite slow. Sounds about right to me.