Roughing It

Ah...Thanksgiving in the great outdoors, just as our forefathers must have done.  Not!  The pilgrims would have given their eyeteeth to have joined a setting such as I did yesterday.  A table under the first canopy was laden with a variety of savory and sweet dips, chips, vegetables and fruit.  A few steps away, double tents with side walls covered long picnic tables with a big-screen TV at one end and space heaters glowed.  Frou-frou "Cosmopolitan" drinks were served as we played cards, and someone or other would get up to bring hot bacon-wrapped broiled shrimp stuffed with cheese and hot peppers or puff pastry cups with Gorgonzola and caramelized onions.  Japanese lanterns hung from the supports above.  A turkey roasted on a spit over a fire outside and the smells were tantalizing, even through the light rain that fell.  There was much talk of the side dishes that would accompany the bird and I can only imagine the bountiful dinner that would follow.

Oh yeah, my brother- and sister-in-law and their family and friends really rough it in style!  I don't see this side of the family often and it was great to spend time in their company again.  Much as with my own gang, there was a lot of good-natured teasing and banter and laughter.  I certainly was having a good time and it was hard to tear myself away in order to get home before dark.  For the most part, the roads to Pine Grove were only back roads, down to one lane in spots, and at the crest of the mountain I had to cross, there was still snow from the last storm.  Given the rain, it wasn't just the goats that made me leave in daylight.

I touched base with all of my Kids throughout the day.  Deb and Craig were camping on the other side of the valley, obviously "roughing it," too.  (What, no crystal flute for the Champagne?!)

Home again and the critters tucked in, Bessie Anne, Frank, Pearl and I snuggled together in the recliner, warmed by the wood stove, and considered our many blessings.

It was a good day.