Michelle Kaplan

‘Tis Almost the Season

Just around this time of year I start longing for home, because nothing comes close to fall like fall in New England. I miss the feeling of fall, the first night when you notice the chill in the air, just enough to grab a blanket for the couch. I miss the smell of fall, fireplaces, hot cider, coco, tea with cinnamon and vanilla. The way fall looks, the vivid reds, bright yellows and the shades of burnt orange in between, hayrides and pumpkin patches. The sound of fall leaves crunching underfoot, the crackling and popping of burning logs.

However, nothing says fall like the granddaddy of all holidays, Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving, a real non-partisan holiday, it’s all inclusive, and as far as I know, still hasn’t offended anyone – yet.

Thanksgiving is the gateway to the holiday season, once this milestone has passed, it’s the big non- stop run until New Year’s, when you can finally catch your breath and look back on the year.
But before we get all hyped up on the holiday season, it really is nice to reflect on things to be thankful for. I am thankful for many things, this year especially.

I’m thankful that most people have forgotten about Ann Coulter. Funny, she’s been a
no- show lately, just around Halloween, hmmmm…is this a coincidence?… or maybe she’s been otherwise engaged…yeah, that’s it.

I’m thankful that the recent run of crappy movies is over. Thank you Hollywood for no Dukes of Hazard Ride Again, but shame on you for the increasing number of films with numbers after them: Basic Instinct 2, Big Momma’s House 2, Scary Movie 4, The Omen, and the Poseidon (they don’t have a number but still remakes.). The Grudge 2, Texas Chainsaw Massacre (how many?) I’m thankful that the latest Washington sex scandal doesn’t involve a Democrat.

THANK YOU!

I’m Thankful Bill Parcels is consistently grouchy, this is a man you can understand. It’s easy, he’s pissed off at someone ALL the time.

I’m Thankful that little by little, bit by bit, we’re getting to the ultimate grand finale, the end of the Bush years.

Living in Florida, I’m thankful for a quiet hurricane season, not that every meteorologist from here to Texas didn’t jump on the bandwagon of predicting another horrendous season. (This is why I always say: “Meteorologist – Astrologist, what’s the difference really.”)

I’m thankful that George W publicly announced that he would no longer use the catch phrase, “Stay the Course,” – Whatever.

I’m thankful that we have so many celebrities adopting children, since most of them are such role models and stable individuals.

I’m thankful that gas prices are dropping, why? We’ll never know. It’s one of life’s little mysteries that just happen to coincide with elections. It’s like God’s will, you’re told not to question it.

And I have to say it, I’m thankful that the Yankee’s blew it. I can’t help it; I’m a Red Sox fan.

What am I truly thankful for?

Simple pleasures that many of us either for- get to notice, forget to do or just take for granted. I try not to and I’m telling you – don’t.

Don’t forget:
Hot baths
Kissing
A good cup of coffee
Love in your life
Health
The lessons your children try to teach you everyday.

My dad once told me this story. I don’t know if it’s true, nor do I care. It’s a good one nonetheless.

When Johnny Carson was asked what the key was to happiness, he said three things:
Have something to do, someone to do it with and something to look forward to.
When asked if he was happy, he replied that he was getting there.

I hope you get there, thank you.