I'm Thankful for Friends

This past week was Thanksgiving here in the USA. I'm sure you're tired of posts about turkey and stuffing, but I wanted a quick post on being thankful. Despite the world problems now and the fact that we are all heading quickly into what might be the final World War, I'm still thankful for many things and wanted to share some of them.

There aren't a lot of photos of DH and he prefers that. He's my
"Man of Mystery". 

First on my list comes my DH. I'm not the easiest person to live with (neither is he), but when we found each other so many years ago, we would never have dreamed we'd still be together almost 40 years later. I can say that I'm rarely bored when he's around, although his idea of fun doesn't always mesh with mine. I'd much rather make art than clean my studio space.

Andrea Van Nest and one of her horses. I can't think of her without thinking
about her horses and her piano. Neither aspect of her life leads to a nomadic
existence, so she's been a very stable person living in California for years and
years and finally moving back to Colorado a few years ago. My oldest and dearest friend. 

Next on my list come my friends - they're special, varied, and always interesting. I don't have a lot of friends, I'm slow to make friends but I keep them for a long time. I grew up with Missy - my longest friend/relative. She was my godmother's daughter and we grew up across the street from each other. She was the closest thing to a sister that I ever had.

Sharon comes up every year for a marathon of Minnesota events. We
spend three days at the Minnesota State Fair and wind things up
with a day at the Renaissance Festival. A good time with a great friend! 

Sharon - my best high school bud from a crowd I ran around with during those formative years. From peace and Earth Day protests and walks, to long talks about books and music, Sharon has been there for me in the good times and bad. We've gone on trips together in the US and England, and there's this crazy bond between the librarian and the artist that I've never quite understood but that I'm sincerely grateful for.

Chickie at the 2013 Renaissance Festival - a great picture. Chickie and I
are partners in crime - we watch movies laughing madly at silly things, we
watch cat videos and share them, and we work together - a situation that
has actually worked well on and off for more than 20 years. 

Chickie - not everyone is lucky enough to work with a good friend. Chickie started out as an employee at my Mall of America store and has worked for me on and off (much more on than off) since 1993. Since I've known her she graduated with her BA and got a year into her MA, moved from Minnesota to Florida and back, and worked for other employers. The best thing is she came back. She's my movie buddy for animated movies and other franchises. She's my sounding board for many things. We don't always see eye to eye, but we bond over cat videos on the internet.

I've grown to really enjoy the friendship of many of my LJ friends as
well as beading friends I've never met in person. The communication
aspects of a computer these days broadens the possibilities of
friendship into new areas and I love it! 

Then there are others on my thankful list - people I meet in passing at the store or at Bead & Button Show every year in Milwaukee. Also, a large variety of people I consider long-distance friends - those I've met on-line who over the years have become confidants, contacts, and even better - cyber friends. I've been so fortunate in my LJ friends and they have brightened each of my days for years.

Thanks to each and every one of you. I'm grateful and so very happy
I've had the chance to meet and interact with each of you. 

So there you have it - my thankful list. While celebrating Thanksgiving this year, all of you have enriched my life and I'm very grateful. Have a wonderful weekend.