Here we are just one day before Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday season. If you get my newsletter (and I hope you do!), you know that my family has left cooking the Thanksgiving dinner to me. I'm good to go as the turkey has thawed out in the fridge at my mothers along with the other "trimmings" as I believe they are called. I got it planned out as best I could so we'll see what happens! What I really want to talk about today is of course, being thankful.

  Right now we are in the middle of very uncertain economic times with our government bailing out this and that. We don't know when it will all end and how it all will unfold next year as a new president takes office. What I do know is how lucky we are that this country is so "industrious" that it can give these huge amounts of money out in the first place. We still are the only "superpower" left on this earth. Yes I know that some middle east countries have lots of cash to work with to, but do you ever hear of them getting involved when there is a disaster somewhere? Regardless of world opinion, Christian relief groups from the United States are the first to lend aid every single time.

  The money that comes out of the taxes we pay has given us concrete highways across the entire country. You can go into any library and read any book ever written for free. You can openly criticize your government without fear of being harmed. You can decide to employ yourself and do your own business. You don't have to go out and "hunt down" your breakfast, lunch, and dinner it's right there at the store. Yes we have problems here in this country, but it could be a lot worse!

  Personally, I'm thankful that I grew up in a small town (hello John Cougar Mellencamp!) with an art store where I could learn oil painting. A solid education where you had to learn or you didn't go to the next grade. Family and friends that have supported me in everything I've done. The roof over my head and music collection that I use to get my spirits up. My two cats and my good health that allows me to work a day job and still paint at night. All of my collectors (love you people!) and their support they give.

Have a happy Thanksgiving, have a safe journey getting there, take care!