The change of the year

Jon and Jake hit the mountains and party life

Herewith is a (sanitized) part of Jon's email to me from France:

these party animals had me out till
3:::::::::up in the mountains at another ancient home,
pictureslllllllstill cant find the keyboard period::::::::::::it was a
goat trail to get therellllllllwild dogs, wild pigs; the man needs a
rifle, has nonelllllllllthe wind power here is well developed, many
massive units to be seen, like war of the worlds things on the
horizon:::::::::::::::i was told that since carolina has a license to
practice in england that since its all now the eu that would be much
easier for her to work here::::::::::::fresh oysters and muscles
yesterday from saltwater farm:::::::::::not cheap; but the muscles
were especially good:::::::::::::were drinking wild thyme tea to ward
off the flu::::::::::::abnormal amounts of rain; but welcomed in this
climate:::::::::i seem to be the only party surviver; only one up at
10 morning::

He must have been posting on a sub-mini netbook that the old guy could barely see or type upon. I wonder what ::::: and lllll mean on that computer ?

Gratefulness

Porcupines demonstrate gratefulness even when no one wants to give them a hug.

We spend a lot of time taking things for granted. Thanksgiving is a time when we are reminded to show thanks for the good things in our lives. For most people it involves lots of food and family...two things most of us probably take for granted. Many of us don’t stop to think of how difficult life would be without them. Only once you are truly grateful for the bounty in your life, does the universe allow more blessings to come your way.

For the record, I am very grateful to have family and friends that raised me and continue to care for me, ample water to drink and food to eat (though I could use a little less), a warm home that I own, a job that pays me enough to live comfortably on, a partner who I know will be there for me no matter what, and of course my assortment of critters who bring me endless joy and amusement. So thanks, folks.