Thanksgiving Weekend

Well, I had a very nice time with the inlaws this past weekend in Toledo, OH. My wife's family mostly lives there and we decided to go for a visit - we hadn't been there for a holiday in several years - it was time for a return trip. First off the drive there was quite surprisingly nice. Shorter than I expected - only 6½ hours door to door. The next pleasant surprise was the price of gas out that way. We filled up just inside the Ohio border for $2.44 a gallon as compared to $2.89 here at home. It was only $2.46 in Toledo on Wednesday through mid morning on Friday, then I guess the going price of crude jumped because the price went up to $2.60 a gallon in one swell foop! And they maintain in Toledo that they don't play games with their pricing! Really!
Anyway, on Friday Angie and I did partake in our annual tradition: Black Friday shopping. I have to say how impressed I am with the shoppers in the stores we visited. No pushing, trampling, bad language, short tempers like there had been every other year I've gone out. Not as many miraculous deals as were promised, though. A few good deals, but, mostly we enjoy the people watching. It was refreshing to see that people CAN behave themselves on Black Friday.
My father-in-law had a good weekend also. We were able to bring him to the house each day we were there and even got special permission to keep him out later than the rules usually allowed. He really perks up when Angie comes out for a visit. He loves the rest of his family, and treasures the time he can spend with them, but, since Angie can only come out infrequently, it obviously means a whole lot to him. It was good to see him in such good spirits for such an extended time. Truly something to be thankful for!
Watched Marley and Me while we were out there; very tough movie to see after having lost our dog this April. We'd had Zeke for almost 17 years! My son doesn't really remember life without Zeke. And Zeke was not a terror like Marley was - he was just a typical Labrador. He did chew on things while he was a puppy (did I mention that he considered himself a puppy for at least 2½ years?), but he was a very good dog all-in-all. That movie really brings home just how a dog looks at you even if you don't always dote on it. They worship you. Really tore me up at the end of the movie. My wife says she's not ready to watch it yet. We own it, but it still sets in its case, unopened. Talk about a tearjerker!
Anyway I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and had time to realize just how many things you have to truly be thankful for. If you can't think of any, post a comment, and I may be able to suggest some things!