Giving Thanks

In honor of Thanksgiving the New York Times challenged its readers to write what they are thankful for in six words. I’ve been thinking about that over the last couple of days. I am always thankful for the people in my life, family and friends. But I think my six words would be “wandering through nature especially among trees”. Not everyone gets to do that, but I do. Here we are driving north on the Natchez Trace Parkway coming back to our current campsite.

We’re staying on the Ross Barnett Reservoir…

at the Goshen Springs Campground, one of three campgrounds operated by the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District.

We have a nice site on a small inlet with water oak and cypress trees around us.

This great blue heron was hunting along the edge of our site when we arrived.

We’re far enough south now that alligators share the water, though I haven’t seen one.

Yesterday, while Bud was beginning the preparation of our Thanksgiving dinner (and watching football), Matey and I went for a walk in a nearby Cypress Swamp.

I love cypress with their knees…

and their needles that turn rusty brown in the fall;

but I was delighted to find this swamp also had water tupelo trees, again a sign of the south.

Sunshine and trees, a perfect combination!

Bud and I enjoyed our holiday dinner, and the birds were having a holiday feast provided by the seed balls on this sweet gum tree.

My life in nature gives me joy for which I am grateful every day.