Reasons to give thanks in November

Some friends took us to a real Indian Pow Wow in Richmond.  It was really fun.  There were drums going constantly.  The drummers were getting judged, the dancers for their dancing and costume. It was amazing and memorable. And we bought some yummy Indian Tacos for lunch.

It was wonderful to see these loving people so proud of their heritage.

I call these "Thanksgiving Bushes" because they began blooming in November.  They are planted in rows and look like something that should be lining the walk at a wedding reception.

The trees and leaves are fascinating.  Even the brown ones.  Every color in the world is represented this time of year. 

I call these "glowing trees".  The picture doesn't even do it justice. 

Last winter we made fun of these  "naked trees" because we didn't know what they were. They don't even have bark on the trunks. In the summer they bloomed the most wonderful colors and lasted for months.  They turned out to be Crepe Myrtle trees.  They come in white, red, pink, and lavender.  They are breathtaking all summer and now we don't make fun of them any more.

It is fun when there are many colors on the same tree.  I can stare at them for hours just taking in all of the colors. 

I went for a walk one day to collect leaves.  After a couple days they were all starting to turn brown so I had to photograph them before they all turned.  I love how there are different colors even on one leaf!

It is also fun when the tree is  monochromatic - all one color.  Wonderful.

Even empty trees are beautiful if you remember to notice them.

One more tree picture to show how tall these are around our apartment.  Did I mention that I love the trees here? They are pretty cool unless they fall on your car during a hurricane.

So-- here's how they rake leaves in the East -- leaf blowers.  Oh, and these trees are on the base.       Note the yellow ribbons that are always present to  welcome returning soldiers.

This is how the leaves are  "raked up".  This is a small leaf vacuum.

                           
                                                    And here is a BIG leaf vacuum truck.

Got trees in your way? Call CUT EM DOWN today!  This sign always makes me laugh.  One day we were expressing our sadness about a "forest" being cut down for a housing development. Brother Lord said, "Look around! We have PLENTY of trees." He couldn't understand our sadness.

A good game of Dominoes after Thanksgiving dinner with soldiers and missionaries.

Soldiers and missionaries have similar hair cuts and like to relax with pie after dinner.

This soldier is very quiet and that's why this hat is so funny.  He is happy to be getting married next week when he graduates.

Why do you suppose this soldier, PFC "C", is wearing a a shirt we borrowed from a missionary and Elder Elkins' tie?  Because we got to take his picture for his online mission application!!!  He will be gettting his call before he graduates from Ft. Eustis.  That way he can leave on his mission quickly and serve his 2 years before his National Guard unit gets deployed.  We are so thrilled to be involved in helping him with the online process along with this picture.  He is from Middleton, Idaho.

Here we are at our noon FHE.  We invited the full time Elders to help teach the lessons to Private "F" (third from left) who will be getting baptized when he goes home for Christmas.  He had to certify that he had been taught the lessons before he could be baptized. His wife is a member.  His battle buddy is PFC "C" in the previous picture.  He is getting some experience by helping to teach his friend.

This is a sight that we see during FTX week. (Field Training Exercises) This is their gear with a helmet on top.  I call it "the praying backpacks" because it looks like a bunch of soldiers all kneeling in prayer out on the field.  It always makes me giggle. The soldiers are nearby getting some training.

Those are a few of my favorite things....