During Novembers final days, the air was way beyond crisp, as its brittleness cracked the morn. Should the wind have picked up, we would have surely been hurled with spears of crackling H2O molecules

However, tiny drifts of feather-light flakes danced and fell to the snowpack below. From the warm interior of my abode, I likened them to miniscule ashes floating and falling from a campfire. If I would have ventured beyond the door-glass, the resemblance would have immediately ended, as I would have been slammed in the face with a wall of frigid air.

One must admit, though, that weather like this at Thanksgiving or Christmas can be an asset. When I need space in which to chill the soda or sparkling cider, all I need to do is set the containers outside and chilled they become.

When the meal is over and the leftovers are too numerous for the refrigerator to contain, wrapping them tightly and setting them outside can be an excellent solution. Of course, if it is planned to have turkey sandwiches that evening, one would need to bring them in just short of freezing solid.

Decades ago, I witnessed a lesson in managing ones emotion of anger, the truism was provided of, Dont let yourself get angry over things for which you have no control. Weather definitely being one of them, it seems a good idea to try to look for assets to various forms of weather. Besides having the asset of a ready refrigerator/freezer outside, there also can be an asset to the snow cover. The first one that comes to mind is that it can work as an insulator to plants that are covered with several inches of white fluff. Its as if it hugs them, while keeping the warmth generating from the soil below closer at hand. It also works as an insulator upon roof tops, and according to a friend in Anchorage, its great for protecting underground water pipes.

A second asset to snow is that it hides the interrupted, and therefore, unfinished yard work of late summer and early fall. I love how pristine the lawns and the parks grounds look when they appear all clean and white.

Thirdly, as long as one is viewing a lovely, winter scene from within the warmth of a cozy dwelling, the trees are gorgeous with  snowy, winter sleeves and pantaloons.

One could surely muse that all these things add to the realization of the many blessings one has, from winters beauty, as long as they are able to watch the season comfortably from within hearth and home. This realization also could increase ones compassion for those who are without such blessings. In response more food, coats and mittens might be donated to a community barrel, Agape House, or other service facility from those who are able to share.

Yes, it certainly is the season to be thankful and to share. What wonderful gifts would these be to both the giver and the receiver.