I'm thankful that I still have a roof over my head and it's my own roof rather than one belonging to the County. I'm thankful that my mom is speaking to me again. It has been a rough year.

I wish Thanksgiving came in April instead of November, so we could have a proper harvest festival in fall and then give thanks in spring for having been able to survive the winter. Since I bought a house, November is a time of trepidation for me. I watch heating fuel prices and tack up quilts over my windows and cross my fingers hoping that the gas company doesn't come banging on my door until spring. This year I'm especially scared. So ask me in a few months what I'm really thankful for. Sitting in a 58 degree house with $20 in your checking account doesn't lend itself well to good cheer.

But I'm looking forward to a big dinner with my family in a few hours. My mom is making a heap of cornish game hens- they cook faster than a giant turkey- and she can COOK. I'm thankful for that too.