This year my Thanksgiving started off wonderfully, as our son, Nathan arrived home the 19th from Kosovo. We had not seen him since last May, and each time he comes home I can see so many changes in him. He is home for good now, or at least we hope so. He will be returning to VMI in January to begin his senior year. He will graduate in December hopefully. When he joined the Virginia National Guard, they assured him they would not interfere with his college. They lied,.... so much for assurance. He missed graduating with his class this past May, but at least he did make it home and now has a chance to finish his education. This is not so for so many of our soldiers. So needless to say, I was in a much better mood. I think he was glad to see me too, and was ready for some home made cooking.
[attachment 74055 Nathan-Home.jpg]
I had been cooking for the past two days, and then Thanksgiving, the thing I like best, is that the whole family starts coming over a few at a time. Here, Scott is making sure the deviled eggs are okay, as the brothers (Arkie and Li'l Brother) start picking on the little ones. Ali (my only granddaughter) decides she is going to get away from these two comedians.
[attachment 74058 The-brothers.jpg]
I think most of you read Johnboy's post about our apple orchard that our grandfather started for us. Well, first off, after everyone arrived, I asked for everyone's attention and read this special story to them. I sincerely do not think there was an eye without a tear in it when I finished. And by the way folks, John has been approached to see if he would give permission for this story to be published. So that is a true honor in itself. Congrats, brother! As he stated, our children are all grown now, and most are showing an interest in our days of years gone by. They all applauded him for his story, and love to question us now for knowlege that they, themselves want to know about. When John entered my door Thanksgiving morning, he brought with him a fine apple pie, and had the breast of a wild turkey to go along with all the food I had prepared, again, sharing some of his knowlege that now only lingers in our memories and hearts.
[attachment 74061 TG-Johns-Turkey-Note.jpg]
[attachment 74066 TG-Me-and-John.jpg]
For some reason, Tom's wife Carol, continues to put up with my baby brother. It was great having them both here too. They just became the proud grandparents of another grandson. He is named Elijah Garrett May, so this makes him pretty special to Tom and us, to have the Garrett name in there. Carol was to leave the following day for a week's visit, and Tom will get his chance later on.
[attachment 74068 TGTomandCarol.jpg]
I had talked to Mikie and Alice the previous night, and Mikie agreed to call on Thanksgiving and talk to Arkie. This was him on the deck taking Mikie's call. He keeps promising that he will acccompany me to Canada to meet Mikie and Alice in person soon. Thanks Mikie, for calling and surprising Johnboy this way. I think this was the first time you had ever talked in person, wasn't it? I really can't remember. I might have called him from your home last year when I was visiting. Still, it was a great surprise for him.
[attachment 74069 TG-John-and-Call-from-Mikie.jpg]
(to be continued.)
[attachment 74055 Nathan-Home.jpg]
I had been cooking for the past two days, and then Thanksgiving, the thing I like best, is that the whole family starts coming over a few at a time. Here, Scott is making sure the deviled eggs are okay, as the brothers (Arkie and Li'l Brother) start picking on the little ones. Ali (my only granddaughter) decides she is going to get away from these two comedians.
[attachment 74058 The-brothers.jpg]
I think most of you read Johnboy's post about our apple orchard that our grandfather started for us. Well, first off, after everyone arrived, I asked for everyone's attention and read this special story to them. I sincerely do not think there was an eye without a tear in it when I finished. And by the way folks, John has been approached to see if he would give permission for this story to be published. So that is a true honor in itself. Congrats, brother! As he stated, our children are all grown now, and most are showing an interest in our days of years gone by. They all applauded him for his story, and love to question us now for knowlege that they, themselves want to know about. When John entered my door Thanksgiving morning, he brought with him a fine apple pie, and had the breast of a wild turkey to go along with all the food I had prepared, again, sharing some of his knowlege that now only lingers in our memories and hearts.
[attachment 74061 TG-Johns-Turkey-Note.jpg]
[attachment 74066 TG-Me-and-John.jpg]
For some reason, Tom's wife Carol, continues to put up with my baby brother. It was great having them both here too. They just became the proud grandparents of another grandson. He is named Elijah Garrett May, so this makes him pretty special to Tom and us, to have the Garrett name in there. Carol was to leave the following day for a week's visit, and Tom will get his chance later on.
[attachment 74068 TGTomandCarol.jpg]
I had talked to Mikie and Alice the previous night, and Mikie agreed to call on Thanksgiving and talk to Arkie. This was him on the deck taking Mikie's call. He keeps promising that he will acccompany me to Canada to meet Mikie and Alice in person soon. Thanks Mikie, for calling and surprising Johnboy this way. I think this was the first time you had ever talked in person, wasn't it? I really can't remember. I might have called him from your home last year when I was visiting. Still, it was a great surprise for him.
[attachment 74069 TG-John-and-Call-from-Mikie.jpg]
(to be continued.)
Just kidding you, you know that. But I have been begging for a photo for how many years now? And you STILL do not trust me. I trust all of you, why else would I share my photos????? 
All in all, I think I had around 25-30 here. It was great, and I was feeling really good for a change! It was just wonderful! 
.since this time of year the skeeters are gone and the other pestering bugs.nice sun shiny day there,was overcast here.glad your son got to be there,did he go to the beer dump,i mean camp too