I’m always reminded at Thanksgiving that we should first be thankful for Thanksgiving itself, because it gets us in the mood for Christmas. 

I’m thankful for the days leading up to Thanksgiving, the harvest scenes, the autumn leaves, and the comforts of a sweater or a windbreaker as the temperatures trend downward, remind us of the joy in the changing of the seasons.

I’m thankful for the outdoor options that we get from living in Georgia—reeling in a three-pound trout on the Chattahoochee and then quail hunting in South Georgia.

I’m thankful for a trip to Darien and a stay at the boutique motel, Oaks on the River, which offers the best in coastal living and spectacular views of the marsh and shrimp boats at the docks.

I’m thankful for the backroads of Georgia where you find hard-working rural folk who earn their bread by the sweat of their brow, many displaying the Georgia logo on their barns and buildings.

I’m thankful for farmers markets in the spring and summer and their horn of plenty displayed on tables, prompting you to make a vegetable purchase and sally forth to your home—and, with assistance, enjoy a vegetable plate that is the most fulfilling of meals.

I’m thankful that at those markets you can prepare a meal of corn on the cob, red ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, purple hull crowder peas, and cornbread.

I’m thankful for Sidney Lanier and his poetry, highlighted by “The Marshes of Glynn” and “Song of the Chattahoochee.”   The verse from the latter will never grow old for this native.  I recite these lyrics in the shower.

“Out of the hills of Habersham, 

“Down the valleys of Hall, 

 “I hurry amain, to reach the plain,

“Run the rapid and leap the fall.

I’m thankful for the historical markers of our state and enjoy stopping to read them to learn more about the locales which I visit, appreciating the history of the biggest state east of the Mississippi River.

I’m thankful for the hedges of Sanford Stadium, where there have been so many great moments that will reverberate with the passing of time.  Having witnessed firsthand all the great moments that have taken place there in the last 70 years is something I don’t take lightly.

I’m thankful for the memories of Dan Magill, Georgia’s elite promoter, insightful historian, passionate coach, and undying aficionado who gave of himself more than any other loyalist with whom I am familiar.

I’m thankful for schoolteachers who have the time and patience to inspire students to develop an affinity for learning, 

I’m thankful for the cardinal who frequents my back porch as I read the morning paper with a cup of coffee.  I have nicknamed him Stan Musial and regret that I am not an artist who can preserve his image.

I’m thankful for grandchildren whose smiles and hugs are always making our day, a reminder that grandchildren are never overrated.   

I’m thankful for the Okefenokee Swamp and wish for its survival in its pristine state.  It is such a treasure, and we should remind ourselves that Africa may lose its elephants because of the ivory trade.  The mining interests may do to the Okefenokee what the Ivory Trade is doing to the elephant population in Africa.   How can we be so shortsighted?

I’m thankful for the Atlanta Braves.  How wonderful it is to cruise the environment of the Battery and then watch a thrilling game where the excitement is as electric as it can be for major league baseball games.

I’m thankful for the Chattahoochee River, which flows from a spring in North Georgia to the Gulf of Mexico.  It is Georgia’s most romantic river, also providing drinking water to most residents of Atlanta.

I’m most thankful to be an American and am grateful to maintain residency in the 4^th state to ratify the Constitution on Jan. 2, 1788. 

Finally, I am thankful for your time today. Happy Thanksgiving!