Turkeys, Thanksgiving, and Giving Thanks

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This Thursday we celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States. Turkey is traditionally the main course served for the Thanksgiving meal so this week, turkey is on my mind.

During our RV travels we encountered a few wild turkeys.

Wild Turkey in a campground in Texas
Wild turkey in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Wild turkeys roaming around a campground in Georgia

THEN

Last year at this time I was frantically getting everything ready to host a family Thanksgiving. Months before the holiday I thought about how it had been a long time since my brothers and I celebrated a holiday together. I also thought about how life is too short to put things off so I called and invited them to our house for Thanksgiving. I’m so glad I did.

Thanksgiving with my brothers was extra special last year. We laughed a lot, reminisced, and sat up talking late into the night. Our son and one of our granddaughters was here part of the time to add to the fun.

NOW

This year will be quite different. We will have a small quiet Thanksgiving at home. I will be preparing a Thanksgiving feast, just on a smaller scale this year. In fact, I just got back from what I hope is my final trip to the grocery store. Let the cooking begin!

GIVING THANKS

I wake up every day thankful for the gift of today. There is so much I have to be thankful for – my health, my family, my friends, the beauty of nature, a visit with my grandchildren. This year I am extremely grateful that my family is healthy, well, and able to work. I’m thankful for everyone in the medical field for their tireless work. I am also thankful for the researchers and developers of a vaccine for the virus and for all of the volunteers who are participating in the testing of the vaccine.

This post was inspired by Lisa’s Bird Weekly Challenge #24: Hunted or consumed by Humans and Amy’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #124: Now and Then

41 thoughts on “Turkeys, Thanksgiving, and Giving Thanks”

  1. Great photos of these wild turkeys. Enjoyed reading your now and then. This year, our Thanksgiving will be quiet and small scale too.
    Thank you, Beth for reminding us to be thankful for the scientists of a vaccine and for all of the volunteers.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Wonderful turkey photos this week, Beth. Thanksgiving will be quiet this year for us as well. Just Frank & me. We will be cooking and I start baking tomorrow. We have enough to take to my daughter & her boyfriend as they are packing and moving this weekend. No time to sit down, but we will take them food so they can continue on their journey. Happy Thanksgiving, my friend! 🙂

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      1. What kind of pie did you bake? I baked a Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie that I do every year and a Pumpkin Cake Roll. The cake is my favorite because it tastes similar to Carrot Cake with the cinnamon & cream cheese frosting. 🙂

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  6. Look at those Turkeys! They better go hide!
    Fabulous captures my friend.
    And yes we have lots to be thankful for. Indeed!
    By the way… my girlfriend participated in the Moderna Vaccine trial, phase 3. After 2 injections and no side effects… she is immune! They are watching her now to see how long immunity lasts. She is 62 and a flight attendant.

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    1. Nancy, that is great news about your friend. I have several friends here who participated in one of the trials. I don’t know if they have found out yet how they did. Happy Thanksgiving 🦃🍁🍽🥧

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  7. Great turkey shots! It is interesting this year. A lot of us are having small celebrations, but we are grateful for so many things including our health and the health of those we love which is something we sometimes take for granted. Happy Thanksgiving.

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  8. Happy Thanksgiving, Beth. It will be a quiet one. I’m sure we won’t forget it for a long time! And you’re right. We have a lot to be thankful for. Take care and enjoy the day.

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  9. Your Thanksgiving memories from last year are such a treasure Beth – good for you for making it happen and how timely in retrospect! Loved your turkeys – wonder why the western ones look so different???? Loved your list of things you’re thankful for all wel. Happy Thanksgiving to you

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  15. Great shots of turkeys, and a reminder of how different they can be. Although Peggy and I live in Oregon, the turkeys that wander regularly through our property are of the Texas breed. It’s always fun to watch their antics, especially the toms strutting their stuff. –Curt

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  16. This was indeed a different Thanksgiving for us all and we as well had so much to be thankful for, especially our health. Enjoyed your turkey photos, we used to have large flocks roam our apple orchard in New Hampshire. The wild turkeys in Georgia photo were different from any I’ve seen before.

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