PRESIDENT'S CORNER: Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Edition: Yes, the holidays are rushing towards us at breakneck speed. Black Friday is only a week away, oh my! The bell ringers with their little red kettles have appeared a bit early and hope you will be generous. I think I am most grateful that we no longer have to travel for the holidays so Bonnie and I can have a very quiet time, perhaps with some friends, but in quiet and reflection. I hope each of you will count your blessings, give thanks and be grateful. The gift of gratitude helps and heals US as much as it may help a friend or stranger in need.

There will be no Friday Bulletin next week, or the week of Christmas. Jae tells me we might consider bringing back a real monthly newsletter. If we do, we agree that it would be great if others among our members would contribute your own musings, thoughts, funnies, poems, and doings that we should all appreciate. Stay tuned.

Film Forum: The fall series will end on Dec 21. Dec. 7 we’ll see our final Robin Williams film, “Good Will Hunting,” and on Dec. 21, Ingmar Bergman’s last film, “Fanny and Alexander,” starting early at 1 PM. We’ll go on hiatus so I can get through my surgery in Jan., and then return the first week of March with 6 films for spring. I appreciate your requests.

A Turkey Speaks

I have never understood
why anyone would
roast the turkey
and shuck the clams
and crisp the croutons
and shell the peas
and candy the sweets
and compote the cranberries
and bake the pies
and clear the table
and wash the dishes
and fall into bed
when they could sit back
and enjoy a hamburger.
- Anonymous

Thanksgiving 8000 Calorie Poem

May your stuffing be tasty,
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!
- Anonymous

Be present in all things and thankful for all things. [Maya Angelou]

We return thanks to our mother, the earth, which sustains us.
We return thanks to the rivers and streams, which supply us with water.
We return thanks to all herbs, which furnish medicines for the cure of our diseases.
We return thanks to the moon and stars, which have given us their light when the sun was gone.
We return thanks to the sun, that has looked upon the earth with a beneficent eye.
Lastly, we return thanks to the Great Spirit, in Whom is embodied all goodness, and who directs all things for the good of Her children.

[Iroquois Prayer]

Be well, love wastefully, be all that you can be!

Jim Held, President