A grateful life is a kind life

By Nellie Curtiss ….

As a senior citizen, I still shake my head at prices for gasoline, toilet paper, roofing jobs and school supply costs.  How can it be? Nevertheless, the cost of living is a ne’er-do-well in my mind and makes the comfort of Thanksgiving hard to grab or stab it with a fork.

So, I’m so grateful for the Emergency Food Bank here in Monte Vista. I found the turkey breast that they gave me did fit into my crockpot! I was so pleased to share the bird with Edna, my relative up from Southern Colorado. Carrying a cardboard box filled to the brim, she brought pumpkin pie, tomatoes, candied yams (along with so many other fixings for the noon meal). Her border collie and my mindful service spaniel watched the 2023 National Dog Show while we mmm’d and ahh’d at each forkful of Thanksgiving’s meal.  Of course, our best friends–The hounds–did get their fair slivers of white turkey.

The drama overnight was my not sleeping for fear the two cats (Rooroo and Tigger) inside might drag the seven-pound frozen poultry from the sink. I scrambled out of bed and out of a worried whir twice to check that the bird was melting safely Finally about 2 a.m. I slipped that plastic wrap off the turkey breast then folded it into the Hamilton Beach Crock Pot set on low.  Mrs. Dash was handy as was McCormick poultry seasonings—that’s all I added before I tucked the lid over the thawed turkey breast.  At 8:30 a.m., I checked the steaming dish. My first mouthful almost melted in my mouth. I’m so grateful for the gift from the food bank, for the technology that made such an appliance possible and for Edna bringing such delicious sides and enjoying Thanksgiving at my house.

I’m so grateful for Facebook friends who have stepped out from the curtain to share personal stories and encouraging words as the American Bison grazes quietly in a field on the outskirts of Monte Vista. I’m thankful for smiley faces, Google Meet, and messenger. All of these social apps bring personalities closer. I’m glad for the sharing of creative thoughts and wisdom that made me feel like a wise woman in the hewing.

I’m so grateful for Google Meet technology that lets me video visit with my son who has the best smile and who has turned his life toward others, even taking classes through correspondence toward addiction counseling. His interests still include bass playing and watercolors. During our weekly half hour, we share interpretations of movies—alternative and film noir.

My family has sent Blue Buffalo, One and Friskies donations so I could continue to feed the small colony of community cats here. These tabbies bring such joy to me and make we wish homes might be found for each of them.  In a way I have helped to find homes for them by my sharing candid shots of the little felines with my sister who turns them into “itty-bitty” fine art on 2×3 inch canvases. Each of the copies finds homes via the Galveston gallery. I’m extremely happy my family and friends help with care; what a thanksgiving it’s been all around for little furry friends in our community.

Nonetheless as a pensioner, I believe that all our thankfulness can be loads of unexpected kindness to change the world.

— Nelda Curtiss is a retired college educator and long-time local columnist. Reach her at columnsbynellie.com or email her at columnsbynellie@gmail.com