Last week, we considered gratitude for the everyday things we sometimes take for granted. This week, I'd like us to think about the people who make our homes and daily lives what they are. A house provides shelter, but it is the people and relationships within it that give us a sense of belonging. Whether we live with family, share a home with others, or live alone, there are people whose kindness, encouragement, and willingness to help make a difference in our lives. Think about how much goes into keeping a household running. Someone prepares a meal, washes the dishes, tends the garden, or takes care of repairs. Much of this work becomes so routine that we hardly notice the person doing it. Sometimes we notice their contribution most when it doesn't get done. Not every contribution is something we can see. A listening ear after a difficult day, a word of encouragement, or simply spending time together can mean just as much. People contribute in different ways, depending on their time, abilities, and circumstances. Gratitude gives us an opportunity to recognize those efforts and let people know they are appreciated. Sometimes a simple thank you or offering to lend a hand can make a real difference. It also gives us a reason to consider our own contributions. Are we noticing what others do, or have we come to expect it without much thought? As we continue our November reflections on gratitude, perhaps we can take a little time this week to recognize someone whose everyday contributions make our lives better. Who is someone you are grateful for, and what is something they do that you especially appreciate? If you're comfortable sharing, I'd enjoy hearing about that person or a small act of kindness that makes a difference in your life.

Pickup is in 30 minutes. You’re stuck at work, and the person you’d normally call is working too. Who’s your next call? Most days, pickup takes one person and a familiar routine. When that person can’t make it, the rest of the arrangement suddenly matters. Someone has to be free at the right time, know where to go, and be authorized to pick up the child. It’s a lot to sort out while you’re watching the clock. We’ve been looking at how to share household responsibilities and make the details easy to find. Here’s where that work pays off. If you already know who can help and when to call, you have fewer decisions to make when plans change. Think of one responsibility in your household that can’t wait until tomorrow. If someone has agreed to cover it, walk through what would actually happen. In the pickup example, a relative might be glad to help but need an hour’s notice to get across town. You might agree to call as soon as you think you’ll be late, while there’s still time for them to get there. If no one is likely to be available, ask the childcare provider what options they offer when you’re running late. This week’s small step Pick one responsibility with a deadline. Talk through the backup from the first call or text to the job being done. Where would it get stuck? Fix that one gap while you have time to work it out together. Think of one household responsibility that can’t wait. When you walked through your backup plan, what did you find?

It seems likely we will have some catastrophic event between February and 2030, after three days under the kitchen table with only the light and warmth of a candle ,with perhaps a pack of playing cards for entertainment, having eaten all the tins of cold beans, and filled the toilet bucket, we will emerge to a new world order. The army and high rank civil servants are planning to stay in their bunkers for 90 days, so we will be on our own. If you're trapped in a prison, mental institution or hospital, or any area of high population density, the chances are not good. If you were trapped travelling out of urban areas you'll already be toast. I think this may be a planned population reset , like the first two world wars or COVID. World social engineering on this scale , comes from where, and who are these influencers and puppeteers? Sometimes it's enough to suggest a event will occur, to instigate a reaction, or change in public opinion. Especially if we were told to prepare and nothing happened. Believe it , or not, change is in the wind!

“Autumn is the season to find contentment at home by paying attention to what we already have.” Melissa Michaels, The Inspired Room With so much strife and uncertainty in the world, it is easy to become focused on what is wrong, what we lack, or what we wish were different. Yet within our own homes and daily lives, there is often much to be thankful for. A warm place to rest, food in the pantry, something harvested from the garden, or simply the comfort of that familiar evening chair. These everyday blessings can become so ordinary that we hardly notice them. Yet when life becomes difficult, they can remind us how much we still have to be grateful for. Gratitude does not make our troubles disappear, nor does it mean overlooking the hardships others face. It simply helps us recognize the good that remains part of our lives. When we appreciate what we have, we may also become better stewards. We care for our belongings, make use of what is available, waste less, and find satisfaction in simple things. This month, I'd like us to spend a little time considering gratitude and how it shapes our everyday lives. One place where gratitude often comes to life is around the family table. Food brings together what we have grown, gathered, prepared, and learned from those before us. A familiar meal can carry memories of family, home, and traditions that have been passed from one generation to another. If we can, I would like to begin a monthly exchange of our favorite recipes. As time permits, let's share a favorite recipe that we enjoy preparing during each month. With members from many different places and backgrounds, I think it would be wonderful to learn each others traditions and possibly bring a few new traditions into our own kitchens. November brings the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States, while other countries have their own harvest celebrations and seasonal traditions. And let's not forget that our friends in the Southern Hemisphere are enjoying spring rather than autumn. Although our seasons and celebrations may differ, gathering with family and friends around food gives us an opportunity to set aside our worries for a while and enjoy one another's company.

As the leaves are beginning to change colour, it's time to harvest bare rooted saplings. The first ones are sycamore, often considered a weed tree, it's a good medium sized fast growing Pioneer that will form a woodland in well under ten years. Easy firewood and chipping biomass that's suitable for coppice.