Thanksgiving Leaks

Yesterday, on the way to choir, I kidded that our neighbors' lawn is leaking.  Just a few days a go it was a blaze of golden glory that filled our front windows with light.  Now the wind has blown crinkly dry leaves over to our side of the street.  Every passing truck wooshes up a whirl of musky clutter.

The media is yammering about a couple of other leaks.  Christmas is leaking, and not just into fall, but into summer.  If Christmas spending really is what's going to save our economy, I guess the attention is due.  But is doesn't seem like a particularly inspiring economic model.  Of course the other leak makes it hard to pay attention to inspiration anyway.  All kinds of stores will be open on Thnksgiving this year so that shopppers can get some extra hours in.

What is work?  I don't mind the neighbors leaves.  Raking them is good energy and they'll tuck in my garden.  But if day after day, year after year, every extra minute had to go to dealing with the deluge of another's dead foliage, my energy for the work would wane.

Shopping can be a pleasurable survey of what another has to offer.  Or it can become a deadly demand to keep an economic engine running, an endless chase to fill a wish list, something you have to do on your day off.  Never mind that it can be done in the comfort of your own home, on-line with convenient pick up or free shipping.  What does it keep you from doing?  Does your recreation drain your resources or renew them?

Pick-up football, a walk with someone you rarely have enough time with, parchessi, picking the turkey bones for soup, bulding the tallest lego tower ever with a little person,   Resting, Renewing, Re-creating.

Thanksgiving really is an investment.  Please invest wisely. The next day each of us will be leaking, dollars and sense, or overflowing gratitude.