ThanksGiving Quotes -

If during this holiday season you should be called upon to share a toast, or to offer thanks, here are a few helpful quotes for that moment.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow. Edward Sandford Martin

Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds. Theodore Roosevelt

Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart. Seneca

Thanksgiving is the holiday of peace, the celebration of work and the simple life... a true folk-festival that speaks the poetry of the turn of the seasons, the beauty of seedtime and harvest, the ripe product of the year - and the deep, deep connection of all these things with God. Ray Stannard Baker (David Grayson)

Forever on Thanksgiving Day
The heart will find the pathway home.
Wilbur D. Nesbit

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. Melody Beattie

Got no check books, got no banks. Still I'd like to express my thanks - I got the sun in the morning and the moon at night. Irving Berlin

Thanksgiving Movies

Before the big football game, or right after, a nice way to get into that holiday feeling is to watch one of these holiday movies. Now be warned read the film rating on the box before sitting down with the entire family. Some of these films can be enjoyed with the entire family, others are for the older members of the family.

"A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" (1973)-Though not technically a movie, it is available for sale or rent. Charlie Brown is preparing to go to his Grandmother's house for Thanksgiving when Peppermint Patty invites herself and a bunch of other people over to Chuck's house for turkey dinner. Since he didn't have the time or knowledge to make a proper dinner, he enlists Snoopy and Woodstock to cater it. They decide popcorn, toast, and jellybeans are a good dinner. Hilarity ensues.

Home for the Holidays (1995)-After losing her job, making out with her soon to be ex-boss, and finding out that her daughter (Claire Danes) plans to spend Thanksgiving with her boyfriend, Claudia Larson (Holly Hunter) has to face spending the holiday with her family. She wonders if she can survive their crazy antics. Directed by Jodie Foster, this is a very funny movie with great performances by Hunter and Robert Downey Jr. as her wacky brother Tommy.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)-All that Neal Page (Steve Martin) wants to do is to get home for Thanksgiving. His flight has been cancelled due to bad weather, so he decides on other means of transport. As well as bad luck, Neal is blessed with the presence of Del Griffith (John Candy), Shower Curtain Ring Salesman and all-around blabbermouth, who is never short of advice, conversation, bad jokes, or company. When Del decides that he is going the same direction as Neal, trouble happens at every turn. One of The funniest movies for everyone involved, including Martin, Candy, and director John Hughes. This movie is so timeless that it is great to watch all year long…not just on Thanksgiving.

Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) - Woody Allen's 1986 drama about three sisters is one of his very best. The film's set piece is Thanksgiving, where Hannah's (Mia Farrow) clan gathers together in a tremendous Central Park West apartment for the holiday celebration. The maid polishes the silver, Mia's mother drinks too much and plays the piano, hearts are broken and mended in startling ways. Barbara Hershey, Michael Caine, Diane Wiest, Carrie Fisher, and Woody Allen also star.

Pieces of April - The plot of Pieces of April, a sweet independent film, couldn't be simpler: As a raffish young woman named April (Katie Holmes) struggles to cook Thanksgiving dinner in her dingy, cramped New York apartment, her estranged family slowly drives toward the city, stopping now and then to question why they're going to a meal they expect to be not only bad to eat, but awkward and unhappy. The writing, acting, and directing of Pieces of April ranges from straightforward to clumsy--and yet the movie builds to a surprisingly potent emotional conclusion. Much of the credit goes to wily Patricia Clarkson , who plays April's cancer-ridden mother with a compelling mixture of sadness, rebellion, and wistful hope. Also featuring Oliver Platt, Sean Hayes, and Derek Luke (Antwone Fisher).

Nobody's Fool (1994) -Bruce Willis is sometimes best in supporting roles, where a little of his trademark charm can go a long way. In this one, he is the philandering boss of the main character Sully, played by Paul Newman. Newman is a cranky old man who is as despicable as he is likable. After a lifetime of bad decisions and running away from his family, an unexpected Thanksgiving visit by his son and grandson offers him some repentance. Newman received an Oscar nod for Best Actor, but now this small and poignant film seems all but forgotten. Supporting work from Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jesicca Tandy, and Melanie Griffith is solid as well, as is the direction of Robert Benton ("Kramer vs. Kramer," "Places in the Heart").

The Ice Storm (1997)-In the weekend after Thanksgiving 1973, the lives of the Hoods are spiraling out of control. Benjamin Hood (Kevin Kline) drinks to try not to think about his trouble at the office. His wife, Elena (Joan Allen), is reading self help books and losing patience with her husband's lies. Their son, Paul (Tobey Maguire), home for the holidays, escapes to the city to pursue an attractive rich girl from his prep school. Finally, young Wendy (Christina Ricci) roams the neighborhood, innocently exploring liquor cabinets and lingerie drawers of her friends' parents, looking for something new. Then an ice storm hits, the worst in a century. Tragedy ensues. Directed by Ang Lee, long before he become famous with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, this movie was one of his best before he became an "action" director. There are great performances around, including those mentioned above and other performances by Sigourney Weaver, Elijah Wood, and a pre-"Dawson's Creek" Katie Holmes.

Unknown Peaceful - 15 years, 12 months, 3 days ago

Wow, what a year 2008 was, it was a rollercoaster from start to finish. There were those times that we will remember forever. The sad times as some of those we loved had their long journey take them away from us. We shall not see them again on this mortal journey (good travels Grandpa Chubbs, Aunt Linda, and our little friend Eddy), but they will always be with us in our hearts and I feel in some way we will encounter them again. Then the high times of being a part of something historic by volunteering to get out the vote, witnessing the Democratic National Convention in Denver, and attending the Obama rally with a mere 150,000 of our closest friends. Finally 2008 offered those times that put meaning into the day and keeps the heart warm. We had our little adventures at the Renaissance Festival, our trips to the mountains, horseback riding in Estes Park, some summer nights at the drive in, and of course our 18th anniversary Halloween bash (please no loud noises I still feel a bit hung over). It was a fine year even though at times it tested us and made us be the person we need to be.

What is in store for 2009? Well a bit more of the same in that I will continue to hit the books and seek to fill the smallest portion of huge void of knowledge we all share. After all true knowledge is knowing we know nothing, and I still have a lot to learn. After completing many of my core classes on-line during the last year I'm transferring to a more traditional university to begin work on my BA. Laura is even joining me in school this year, hopefully we can share a class or two. Not to neglect our bodies, after all a healthy body is important for a healthy mind, we have joined the local fitness facility. We are having a lot of fun sweating together, I'll leave it at that for those of a sick, sick mind (which I fully admire and support). After 41 years I think it's time for this body of mine to be overhauled a bit, after all I'd like to put another 50 or so years of miles on it.

Now for this winter I must say, even though we are both native Coloradoans, we have never been skilled in falling down icy mountains strapped to thin blades of wood, which is better known as skiing. Lacking that skill we have decided to take up music this winter, Laura's weapon of choice is the guitar and I'll take a shot at the violin. With any luck we can form a Flogging Molly tribute band to tour Irish Pubs throughout Colorado in a drunkin' haze. Ok that's one of those crazy far off dreams (like a decade from now), but if we don't ever start what then? If you should have the misfortune of driving by our house during our "practices" don't fear the sound you hear is not a wet cat being beaten against a rug but our "music" lessons. We promise no animals will be harmed in the course of our lessons, in fact we may even buy Twain and Dekkar (our dogs) ear muffs for their own protection.

Now on the crazy adventure side we are contemplating trying out for the Colorado Renaissance Festival next summer. Why? you may ask, we'll it's because that's what life is about. To be more clear challenge yourself to do something that may be a complete train wreck every now and then and it may just turn out to be a wonderful adventure. Case in point marriage, which as turned out pretty well for the last 18 years (oh, I know I'll be in trouble for that one). So we are thinking about putting together a skit about our odd little characters and see if we get thrown out of the audition. If any of our Renaissance friends have any advice our ears, minds, and hearts are open. On the other hand if you wish to suggest we be committed for being completely nuts I prefer the lovely white jacket with tie around arms over the four point restraints. Anyway let us turn the page on last years chapter to a fresh page, full of promise and hope, dip our quill into the ink well and let's get this started on 2009.
Unknown Peaceful - 16 years, 5 days ago

Recently a friend ask me about angery liberals and it caused me a moment to reflect. Which is part of the reason I left facebook, because anger can not be at the center of who I am. Yes this election year and the way politics as been played as caused me, and other liberals, to act against our own nature. We are tired and have pushed back against the lies and propaganda that has targeted us for so long, but that is no reason to lose who we are or what we stand for. So I stepped back and choosen to fight my battles how they should be fought, through enligtenment and debate not hate and anger. Yesterday when I voted I did so out of hope, knowledge, and understanding and not fear, prejudice, or anger. I guess that a vote is the true weapon of a liberal.
Unknown Peaceful - 16 years, 23 days ago

Several years ago my oldest son approached me about religion, which was best? What should we believe? and what role religion plays in life? I was raised a Lutheran, with a few Catholic services thrown in (step-father is Catholic), but rarely attended church other than holidays. To me religion always seemed a bit more complex than the human mind could really wrap itself around. We can understand our existence because it does have a beginning and an end. Most people embrace religion because of fear of the later, to me the question was always more complex. Where did we come from? What do you do with an eternity? At why embrace today if the church offers you something greater in the next life? But my son's question set me forth on a spiritual exploration of my own. I read the Buddhist texts and teachings of the Dalai Lama, I read Hindu teachings, and I studied the bible. I took this journey with him but in doing so found myself.




The four universal truths taught by the Buddhist religion is what brought me to call myself a Buddhist. It is in these truths, unlike the other religions I studied, that we can be the master of our journey and change the world through our actions. One action does not stand along but instead is like a pebble tossed into a pond. It makes an initial splash but it is the waves that carry the action the furthest. So if we do a small good deed it may only seem small but the good it gives can reach far and touch many lives.


"With realization of one's own potential and self-confidence in one's ability, one can build a better world." – Dalai Lama

This is not the point of my blog only a doorway to understanding my thoughts. My question is about what I learned from reading the Bible. Today many seem to use the Christian religion as an excuse for fear and anger. The fear of the Muslims, the fear of gays, the fear of sex education, the fear of science, the fear of thoughts, and the fear people unlike them. In fact there probably is a fear of me if not for the fact I am blonde haired and blue eyed. This is not what I ever saw in my reading of the Bible and the New Testament. If anything I read of Jesus as a man of compassion and not a man of fear. It is fear that leads to anger and vengeance, yet even upon the cross Jesus did not lash out those who had done these horrible things to him. Jesus offered them compassion and forgiveness. It is saddening to see people clock themselves in his name to practice fear and anger. To those that base their faith on fear all I can do is look at Jesus teachings and wonder if it is his will they follow or their own. These are words of Jesus;

"The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."

"What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul."

"You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?

"You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many."

These are not words saying for followers to fear life or hate anothers, these are words of understanding and compassion. Though I am a Buddhist I am no greater than any Christian, or Jew, or Muslim, or Hindu, or anyone. In fact there is much I can learn from each of them and I will keep my mind and heart open to all. What causes concern for me is that some choose to hate or fear others, not because of understanding, but because of ignorance and then they use their religion to justify their hatred.

Unknown Peaceful - 16 years, 23 days ago

In my wallet I carry a double sided card, it is a bit worn, the corner is torn, and perhaps even a bit faded. Still it serves as a reminder to me. The first is a simple prayer;

May the poor find wealth,
Those weak with sorrow find joy.
May the forlorn find new hope,
Constant happiness and prosperity.

May the frightened cease to be afraid,
and those bound be free.
May the weak find power,
And may their hearts join in friendship.

The other side is the Eight Verses of Thought Transformation;

1. Determined to obtain the greatest possible benefit from all sentient beings, who are more precious than a wish-fulfilling jewel, I shall hold them most dear at all times.

2. When in the company of others, I shall always consider myself the lowest of all, and from the depths of my heart hold others dear and supreme.

3. Vigilant, the moment a delusion appears in my mind, endangering myself and others, I shall confront and avert it without delay.

4. Whenever I see beings that are wicked in nature and overwhelmed by violent negative actions and suffering, I shall hold such rare ones dear, as if I had found a precious treasure.

5. When, out of envy, others mistreat me with abuse, insults or the like, I shall accept defeat and offer the victory to others.

6. When somebody whom I have benefited and in whom I have great hopes gives me terrible harm, I shall regard that person as my holy guru.

7. In short, both directly and indirectly, I offer every happiness and benefit to all my mothers. I shall secretly take upon myself all their harmful actions and suffering.

8. Undefiled by the stains of the superstitions of the eight worldly concerns, may I, by perceiving all phenomena as illusory, be released from the bondage of attachment.

I carry these as reminders that we are all sharing this journey together, and we are dependent upon each other each step of the way. There is nothing more pleasing than the smile of a child, a laugh of a friend, of the look within a loved ones eyes when they say they love you. These are the things that lift our spirits and give us hope. Anger and hatred weigh us down and are a burden upon our lives. So I carry these little reminders to keep my load light and my heart strong.

Unknown Peaceful - 16 years, 23 days ago