My cat, Tort, looks exactly like Dakota in her body. The tip if her tail looks as if she dipped it in white paint and her paws seem to have stepped in the wet paint. She is now almost 14 and has become even more finicky. She now only likes chicken that comes from Cracker Barrel or bacon and cheese (preferably warm but not melted).
My sister, who lives in Spearfish SD only has garage cats with no names. She cannot conceive of a cat eating on the counter. I'm guessing the eat mice or go hungry.
Dakota is in real trouble if she gets that finicky. The nearest Cracker Barrel is over two hours away. Also, Dakota came from a litter of kittens from a feral mama at the old lumberyard my parents owned.
Thank you for sharing your memories and your experiences in the service and with your cats. We take too much for granted...as your essay clearly reminds us.
I'm grateful for many things, but I'm especially thankful for you and your clear, unspoiled outlook on life. We need these reminders. Keep bringing it on. (Also, I think you should submit this one as an op/ed piece in every newspaper in North Dakota.)
You're such a gifted writer, and I so enjoy reading your work! This piece really hit the spot, with its focus on what in our immediate lives we can be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving - with gratitude.
My parents were Depression Era babies. If you had some beans in your belly, clothes on your back, and you weren't sleeping outside, you were fortunate. My Dad was the first in his family to go to college on the GI Bill, and " we" made our way to the middle class. I was the first in our family to get a Master's degree. Then, opportunities started to dry up in the next generation and the one after that. Reagan began the eventual decline of the middle class. He really should have received an Oscar for his role as President.
Thanks, Brenda. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. There is a lot of misplaced blame out there for the drying up of opportunity you alluded to in your other comment. It has been a forty-year project based on a frequently disproved economic theory.
Was that you I saw at the Louise Erdrich event earlier this week at NDSU or a doppelganger?
That was me. Happy Thanksgiving!
I love Rambler! Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving!
A Real Thanksgiving Story! Thank you!
You're welcome, and Happy Thanksgiving!
You made my day!
Well, that makes my day!
You are a great writer, humorist, spouse, teacher, veteran and candidate. We need more people like you serving in our Congress.
So…
Thankful for your much needed humor AND gratitude… pretty much needed it’s seems at this juncture in our nations history
Blessings to you and your family .. two legged and four… from Denver
And to yours! Happy Thanksgiving!
My cat, Tort, looks exactly like Dakota in her body. The tip if her tail looks as if she dipped it in white paint and her paws seem to have stepped in the wet paint. She is now almost 14 and has become even more finicky. She now only likes chicken that comes from Cracker Barrel or bacon and cheese (preferably warm but not melted).
My sister, who lives in Spearfish SD only has garage cats with no names. She cannot conceive of a cat eating on the counter. I'm guessing the eat mice or go hungry.
Dakota is in real trouble if she gets that finicky. The nearest Cracker Barrel is over two hours away. Also, Dakota came from a litter of kittens from a feral mama at the old lumberyard my parents owned.
What a fun, jouful post! Happy Thanksgiving to your family from another farm girl. 😊
Happy Thanksgiving!
Awesome story!
Thank you, Katherine! Hope you've had a great Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. I'm from Indpls. Your reason for appreciating porta potties is powerful.
Thanks, Reta. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Excellent start to my morning! Keep on writing!!
Thanks, Karen. I will keep writing here and elsewhere. Turning my avocation into my vocation.
Thank you for sharing your memories and your experiences in the service and with your cats. We take too much for granted...as your essay clearly reminds us.
I'm grateful for many things, but I'm especially thankful for you and your clear, unspoiled outlook on life. We need these reminders. Keep bringing it on. (Also, I think you should submit this one as an op/ed piece in every newspaper in North Dakota.)
Stay warm!
Hi, Ellie. I'm thankful for your feedback. You stay warm too.
You're such a gifted writer, and I so enjoy reading your work! This piece really hit the spot, with its focus on what in our immediate lives we can be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving - with gratitude.
Thank you, Karin, and Happy Thanksgiving!
My parents were Depression Era babies. If you had some beans in your belly, clothes on your back, and you weren't sleeping outside, you were fortunate. My Dad was the first in his family to go to college on the GI Bill, and " we" made our way to the middle class. I was the first in our family to get a Master's degree. Then, opportunities started to dry up in the next generation and the one after that. Reagan began the eventual decline of the middle class. He really should have received an Oscar for his role as President.
Your essay was wonderful, Mr Hammer, and good for the soul. I grew up in Plainfield, IN. Happy Thanksgiving to all. Enjoy Indy.
Thanks, Brenda. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. There is a lot of misplaced blame out there for the drying up of opportunity you alluded to in your other comment. It has been a forty-year project based on a frequently disproved economic theory.
IMHO, two disproved economic theories, at least: supply side and trickle down definitely disproved. Thanks for your reply.
Happy Thanksgiving !!
From an older American who grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Do us proud in DC !
Happy Thanksgiving, James!
While I’m convinced you’d be a wonderful Congressman, your gift of storytelling is unsurpassed.
Thank you. I enjoy writing, and this Substack is part of making a career of it.