Early morning sunrise at La Push, Washington. It was cold cold cold that early in the morning. For the first few photos Rick took of me, I had my hiking boots on. I bravely peeled my layers off, but kept the boots on...until I realized how silly I looked. There is a saying, "A true yogi feels the cold, but does not feel cold." I did take my boots off, but I have miles to go before reaching full yogi-hood.

Early morning sunrise at La Push, Washington. It was cold cold cold that early in the morning. For the first few photos Rick took of me, I had my hiking boots on. I bravely peeled my layers off, but kept the boots on…until I realized how silly I looked. There is a saying, “A true yogi feels the cold, but does not feel cold.” I did take my boots off, but I have miles to go before reaching full yogi-hood.

Rick and I spent Thanksgiving at La Push, Washington.  La Push was Rick’s Grandma Glenda’s favorite place to visit.  In fact, year after year, until well into her 90’s, Grandma Glenda drove out to this sacred place along the coast of the Olympic Peninsula where she walked, beach combed, and found many of the glass floats we now possess.  We had never been to La Push before and as soon as we arrived, we understood the spell this wild coastal place held over Grandma Glenda.

La Push, Washington

La Push, Washington

Rick and I did two coastal trail hikes, and admired the November rain forest, the sea stacks, and the stunning beach views.  We enjoyed meeting some members of the Quileute Tribe and, at one point, followed signs for Smoked Salmon, making our way to a family’s humble home where we bought home-smoked salmon.

Home made salmon smoker at a Quileute home.

Home made salmon smoker at a Quileute home.

La Push was the perfect destination for Thanksgiving.  The sheer beauty of this coastal wilderness lends itself to reflection on what I feel gratitude towards.  I will sprinkle this blog with my thoughts on gratitude and images of La Push:

I AM GRATEFUL FOR LOVE, SMILES, LAUGHTER, KINDNESS, AND GENEROSITY

Stunning view at La Push, WA

Stunning view at La Push, WA  (The name La Push derives from the French words “la bouche ” meaning  “mouth”,  a descriptive reference by the French to the mouth of the Quillayute River.

I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE MANY PRECIOUS PEOPLE IN MY LIFE, INCLUDING MY PARENTS AND MY SISTER JEANIE, WHO THOUGH NO LONGER WITH ME HERE ON EARTH, CONTINUE TO LIVE INSIDE MY HEART, AND WHO CONTINUE TO TEACH ME HOW TO LIVE.

I FEEL SO MUCH GRATITUDE FOR I AM RICH WITH FRIENDS AND COMMUNITY AND SURROUNDED BY GOOD-HEARTED PEOPLE.

View from Rialto Beach

Taken just after leaving Rialto Beach

I HAVE MUCH GRATITUDE FOR ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO TAKE EXTRAORDINARY ACTIONS, THEREBY MAKING THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

Sea Mist and Sea Stack

Sea Mist and Sea Stack

I FEEL GRATITUDE FOR AIR, WATER, WILDLIFE, NATURE, AND FOR ALL WHO TREAD THE EARTH LIGHTLY AND WITH DEEP RESPECT.

Hole in the Wall and Reflections

Hole in the Wall and Reflections

I FEEL GRATITUDE FOR HAVING A MEANINGFUL JOB/VOCATION WHERE I CAN MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORLD.  MY WORK ALLOWS ME TO EXPERIENCE A BASIC GOODNESS IN PEOPLE.

Sea Stacks and Big Sky

Sea Stacks and Big Sky

I HAVE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF GRATITUDE TOWARDS ORGANIC FARMERS WHO WORK THE EARTH TO PRODUCE NUTRITIOUS FOODS, EDUCATORS, WRITERS, PARENTS RAISING A FUTURE GENERATION OF ENLIGHTENED HUMAN BEINGS, LABORERS, ENVIRONMENTALISTS, SCIENTISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, THERAPISTS (MENTAL AND PHYSICAL), HIGH TECH EXPERTS, ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE/CHILDREN/ELDERLY/THE DISENFRANCHISED/THE MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY DISABLED, HEALERS AND DOCTORS AND THOSE IN THE HOLISTIC HEALING FIELDS OF WORK, ARTISTS (OF EVERY COLOR INCLUDING CHEFS) AND CRAFTSMEN, GOVERNMENT POLICY WORKERS, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE WORKERS .  I think this paragraph could take years to complete and I am certain this list is not conclusive!

Sunlit Strand of Alders

Sunlit Strand of Alders

I FEEL IMMENSE GRATITUDE FOR MY EDUCATION, THE SERENITY THAT LIES AT THE FOUNDATION OF WHO I AM, MY HEALTH, AND FOR THE GIFT OF NOW!

River reflection of a branch

River reflection of a branch

I FEEL A DEEP SENSE OF GRATITUDE FOR EVERY EXPERIENCE THAT HAS LED ME TO THIS DAY!   I FEEL GRATITUDE FOR HAVING RICK IN MY LIFE TO SHARE IN THE MOST  DIFFICULT OR BEAUTIFUL MOMENTS THAT LIFE THROWS OUR WAY.

I FEEL THE GREATEST GRATITUDE FOR BEING ALIVE TO POST THIS BLOG ENTRY.

Sunset on Thanksgiving Day. I was looking at this sunset scene, sitting, bundled up on the deck the cabin with Rick, both of us on the phone talking to John and Jenna.

Sunset on Thanksgiving Day. I was looking at this sunset scene, sitting with Rick, bundled up on the deck of the cabin, both of us having a lovely phone conversation with John and Jenna.