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Take time to be thankful Over the years, I've written about many facets of Thanksgiving. Sometimes I've discussed the more humorous side of Thanksgivings of the past, and other times I've talked to friends and co-workers, reiterating their thoughts about the holiday. But I don't think I've ever actually listed my own feelings about the one holiday of the year that doesn't require us to go out and buy a greeting card or give a gift to celebrate. As we sit down to that steaming turkey dinner this weekend, surrounded by family and friends, we're simply suppose to give thanks. Nothing more, just thanks. Thanks for the many positive things around us, the freedoms we enjoy and the lives we lead in spite of the complaints we make. Oh I know, people often take a cynical approach, and complain about all the wrongs they've suffered in this world. And I'll be the first to admit, I've done my share of complaining over the years, too. But this is Thanksgiving, and I feel one should really try, if only for a moment, to reflect about the many things around us to be thankful for. So here goes... I'm thankful for the fun and entertainment my kids and grandson provide me with. I'm thankful for the times they let me think I'm still in control. I'm thankful for having had great parents who gave sage advice and guidance when they were alive. I'm also thankful for my sisters and their families although we don't always get together as often as we'd like-- or should. I'm thankful for History Channel and HGTV. I'm thankful for DVD players, car CD players and being able to download MP3s. I'm thankful for the bathroom in my house (but could be a whole lot more thankful if it had an identical twin upstairs). I'm thankful for my friends, in so many different circles, at work, at play, in volunteer groups and at church. I'm thankful for my 170 year-old home, but a Ted Brown Come & celebrate the opening of the little less thankful when it comes time to repair something which involves ripping open a wall. And I'm thankful for the history and heritage that my forefathers created in building that home. I'm thankful for Saturday how-to shows, in spite of the fact those guys never make a wrong cut or drill a hole in the wrong place. I'm thankful for rock music, blues, folk music and Christmas carols. I'm thankful I'm Canadian, even though I'm still in a snit about having to pay GST. I'm thankful for snow, especially when it covers up the fallen leaves on the lawn, allowing me to forget about them until spring. I'm tankfull for spelchekkeers on cumpootors. And redial on telephones. And redial on telephones. I'm thankful for new technology, and the excitement it creates in the world today. I'm thankful for John Sleeman's family business, as well as the Irish for still brewing Kilkenny and Guinness. I'm thankful for the colors pink and blue, so I know when to call someone's baby "he" or "she." And I'm thankful for the many people I have the privilege of entertaining, irritating or acknowledging on this page, week in, week out. But most of all, I'm thankful to be alive and kickin' with a fairly positive attitude, and able to offer this greeting to one and all. Have a happy Thanksgiving. (Ted Brown can be reached at tbrown@independentfreepress.com)