Today is September 11, 2025. That means 24 years have passed since that awful day that we said we would never forget. It has been 24 years since the horrors of that day caused so many of our citizens to set aside their differences to do what was right and to unite under one flag. There was no room for partisan politics.
We were Americans.
I hope to someday see our country that united and committed to a singular cause and in circumstances less tragic. A few years ago I wrote a story about the Flight 93 Memorial. I encourage you to read it and to think about my words. Click here.
When I sat down to write about Thanksgiving for today, I drew a blank. This has never happened to me. Past stories on this day have ranged from Norman Rockwell to how holidays are hard for those who have experienced loss.
When I did start to write, it quickly wound its way into something you don’t want to read and I shouldn’t publish. It started with the whitewashing of the first Thanksgiving story and meandered all the way into my scathing disapproval for how it’s more a day of national gluttony than a day of thanks.
I cut out all the juicy parts but you get the gist.
Except that isn’t what this blog is about and that isn’t why you’re here. Do me a favor though. Take a few minutes today to broaden your perspective and google “how indigenous people view Thanksgiving.”
Meanwhile, I am grateful today for my family and friends, for my little cat Scout and for the job that allows me to give him the lifestyle he believes he deserves. I’m grateful for my warm home, for fresh produce from the grocery store and and for all things in nature – even some of the creatures I don’t really like but that are vital to our ecosystem.
I am grateful for the ability to travel and adventure some and for having a camera on my phone so I can freeze time even when my good camera is at home.
I’m grateful for books and the authors who write them as well as for the small businesses across America that give our communities character. I am grateful for the wisdom to know when it’s appropriate to publish a diatribe on a national holiday and when it’s best to start again. I’m also grateful for a country where free speech allows me to decide that for myself.
I’m grateful for lots more things including all my readers – particularly those of you who leave comments or contact me privately to chat about that day’s story. I truly enjoy hearing from you even though I have been struggling to keep up my end of the conversation lately! Things will be calmer soon.
With that in mind, I would love to know something you’re grateful for this Thanksgiving. This isn’t a happy day for everyone, particularly those who have lost loved ones, but an exercise in gratitude makes the world seem brighter.
Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere who bravely bears his country’s cause.”
– Abraham Lincoln
Freedom doesn’t come free. Democracy isn’t a guaranteed right. Freedom and Liberty for all are just words unless there are people prepared to fight and die for the cause.
We owe our nation, our freedom and everything we have to the brave men and women of all branches of the American military.
If you see a veteran today, tell them thanks for what they do. If you’re reading this and you are a veteran or active duty military – thank you.
If you’re in America, this is Labor Day. This federal holiday is designated to honor the American Labor Movement and the contributions of the American worker to the development of the country.
Most people spend it shopping sales, traveling and enjoying the unofficial last gasps of summer rather than thinking about the overall accomplishments of American laborers.
Nonetheless, we enjoy the day and I appreciate the freedoms I have because of my work.
Meanwhile, the end of summer also means the fading of the season’s flowers. They’ll be gone soon so I have been making a point to stop and enjoy them, to literally stop and smell the roses whenever possible.
If you think what happened a year ago couldn’t happen today, think again. There are plenty of people out there who believe their own false version of events and are foolish enough to act on them.
Remember, our loyalty should be to our country before party or person and certainly before the lies told by anyone.
Upholding democracy rather than undermining and attacking it is the only thing that matters. The flag that flies over our Capitol is the only one that matters.
A roller coaster has had nothing on our politics for the last few years but never more so than this week. We clearly are witnessing history so I have labored to balance my desire to stay informed with my need for peace of mind.
Today, sanity needs to win. It’s Saturday. Let’s try to have a good weekend.
Turn off the news. Shut down Facebook. Stop listening to the rantings of conspiracy theorists.
We can’t fix the world and if arguing politics with your neighbor for the last five years hasn’t changed them yet, today won’t matter either. You can, however, help yourself. So go do that.
Take a deep breath.
Go outside
DO SOMETHING.
The forecast today is for thirties and maybe some sun. Good enough for me. I’m going to find a place to walk or take a hike in the woods.
Afterward, maybe I’ll clean out a closet or curl up in my new chair with a book and hot chocolate. Maybe I’ll listen to vintage records while making pancakes to freeze for some other morning. Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” is in my LP collection somewhere and reminds me of this image above. It’s from a walk at a local park last month.
I could play with the watercolors I got for Christmas or make some sweet potato chips and have a movie marathon with the cat. The shower needs cleaned and it wouldn’t hurt to clean out the fridge.
I know I won’t be shopping and spending money as this is just day nine of my No Spend Challenge. Luckily, the list of possibilities for a winter Saturday around home is endless!
Take care and enjoy this day. Our problems can wait till tomorrow.
It has been a rough week here in America.