Thankful Thursday: Sunshine

I read in my weather email from KFVS12 early this morning that today would be the coldest day of the week, if not the month, which made me check the temps in other places dear to me. The most signiicant for me today was Great Falls, MT, from where I moved almost 20 years ago.

The temp. about 6 AM this morning in Great Falls, MT was -31,

WITHOUT the wind chill.

I'm thankful I lived there and thankful I have a perspective on cold.

When I woke up this afternoon, I saw sun! The dogs went outside while I set to cleaning the front room floor. Some of the hounds are not minding the cold:

WillE B. Good Bloodhound ,

Minnie Chow-Chow - the adoptable "Un-hound,"

senior Miss Lucy Beagle ,

and Squishy Beagle , who still needs to "hunt" between the trees;

the others, I sent out on purpose to give me space to clean.

I'm thankful for the lovely fleeting scent of vinegar and a cleaner floor.

I'm thankful for the clean, fresh blankets I can put out for the dogs tonight.

Some dogs are limited in how they can be in the yard.

Shiloh Beagle ,

Crimson Tide American Dog ,

and Mami ?JRT/American Dog

are house bound due to their proclivity to jump/climb fence and explore.

I'm thankful all three are leash trained so walk well with me in the yard.

I'm thankful Mami, when I walk other dogs, stays with us even off-leash.

This is a long, cold winter. It is the BEST winter I've experienced since moving here. It is a true winter, getting cold enough for creation to rest and prepare for spring.

I'm thankful this area, at least,

has not experienced the power outages of previous ice storm winters.

I'm thankful two companies responded and filled my propane tank

before the winter storms began.

I'm thankful for heat, gas, and a vehicle which is starting every day.

I'm thankful I can share donations, food, blankets with others in need.

For what are YOU thankful?