Yesterday morning, 15 November 2011, I headed for the kitchen for the special coffee we love at our house and as I passed through the Cozy, through the window I was shocked by the explosion of color out side the window. There with a bright sunshine smile was the little maple Japanese Maple given to us by A. Crumbley, when we became neighbors.  The little tree has flourished, enjoying the waves of traffic along our street and the activities in its driveway each day.

So, as I left for work later, I took this photograph so as to have a record of one easy way to get the day started with a smile and a Thanksgiving.  It is only 1.3 miles to my office in downtown Laurel, and a pleasant drive it was.  It has been dry this year, so the trees are so colorful.  At my arrival there before me was a picture from an arbor day postcard. There at the end of my little street on Mayhaw Place was some pretty sight, a Ginkgo tree screaming “Look at me, I am Yellow”. Ginkgo Story One quick picture later, I was in the office working along bright and cheerful as can be on a 2nd Monday of the week.                        Just think, that tree under God’s blue sky sheds a carpet of leaves on the ground to take our eyes up and down to enjoy the canvas.

So they day had really begun so well.  Home for lunch after the busy morning found my favorite, tuna salad sandwich.  The tuna came from the Oregon coast, caught, cleaned, cooked, and canned by one R. Huelshoff.  He was a dandy, may be rest in peace.   Chick’s tuna is the best I know, and the salad it makes is clean and fresh, just like the trees pictured above.How I am doing on this Tuesday? Freddie Strickland left a message that the Persimmons were ripe down in Ellisville. He is a fine friend from another time in my life. His bride of 63 years, Frances, a “mess”, as we say.  Just like my day, she was bright and cheerful when I got to their farm to see this tree, with NO leaves.  Look what it did have! Those persimmons weigh not far under a pound each. Imagine how that little tree strains to hold up all that fruit. Freddie was pleased to show me the tree and tell me stories of people who have a part in the life of his Persimmon crop.

As the day ended, it was frightening how fast it had gone by. I suppose they all do when one is enjoying the walk.

Thanksgiving is next next week too.