Dexter Iowa Community Site

Consider this quote from Abe Lincoln

"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."

Harvest is slowing down and finishing sooner than any of us really expected which has given me plenty of time to reflect on life’s great mysteries. It occurred to me on the way home tonight that Thanksgiving is next week! For regular readers of this column you know that means the annual Weez Thanksgiving list of resolutions, but I’ve decided I need to clean some of the scattered ghosts and cobwebs out of the skull depository. This year I will be doing a series of columns the next three weeks that will all tie together so you’re going to have to pay attention so you don ‘t miss anything!

In order for the column next week to be a true picture of things I’m thankful for, I thought it would be best to clear out the drawer and discuss some things I’m “unthankful” for first, now let’s get started.

1. I’m unthankful for green beans and this shouldn’t surprise any of you.

2. I’m unthankful for the lack of true balance in our lives. I will be the first one to admit that sitting at home unemployed was no fun at all, but there was time to garden, and read and go for walks, or just sit by the side of the river and marvel at God’s creation. Wouldn’t it be nice if we had more time for that?

3. I’m unthankful for gossip. Not just gossip but the way we all treat each other in general. You and I know better.

4. I’m unthankful for the upcoming presidential elections. Neither the occupant of the White House nor those on the Republican ticket make me excited about the future. Where is Harry Truman or Ronald Reagan when we need them?

5. I’m unthankful for the fact that there are people in our communities who are struggling and fighting to just feed their families every day, and that most of the time we don’t know anything about it.

6. I’m unthankful for the lack of respect I see in some of our young people. I’ve never minded being called “Weez” or “Bryon” by kids I’ve known for years, but remember the first time you called a former teacher by her first name? I’m 42 years old and still feel a little strange calling Mrs. Sanborn, “Dorothy”. And while we are at it- how about a little respect for your community, your country and just for each other? I’m pretty sure this came about from not sending our kids to Sunday School every week. Now get off my lawn!

7. I’m unthankful for sadness and loss. Oh sure, both are temporary feelings in a way, but some of them never really go away for good.

8. I’m unthankful for distance. Not only a physical distance, but sometimes and emotional one as well. I’ve always thought if I won the lotto I would build a place for all my friends to live close to me, but then I suppose I’d just want to go on vacation.

9. I’m unthankful for dead horses. Quit beating them people! Some times one has to stand by a conviction and never give up what they know is right. I get that fact better than most people, I really do. However, some people are beating dead horses just to be mean or to further their own agenda.

10. Finally I’m unthankful for this list. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we all took one of these and tried to work on eradicating the need for them to be on the list in the first place? I for one am going to start with the green beans and work my way forward.

See you next week…Remember, we’re all in this together.