November 24, 1999

DOWN HOME:
Forget raindrops on roses;
thank God for enchiladas
___Thank the Lord for Julie Andrews. Actually, thank the Lord for Julie Andrews, playing Maria von Trapp, singing about her favorite things in "The Sound of Music."
___Composers Rogers and Hammerstein didn't pen that song the way, say, B.B. McKinney or Fannie Crosby might have written it. But I've always felt their wonderful tune was the musical extravaganza version of "Count Your Blessings."

MARV KNOX Editor

___So, when Maria sings about raindrops on roses and blue satin sashes, she always reminds me to count my blessings too.
___Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to do just that. Of course, every day ought to be a day of thanks, but sometimes we need to be reminded to express our gratitude.
___What are the items on your thank-you list this Thanksgiving?
___I'm thankful for the big-ticket items, of course: Salvation, a gift of grace. Joanna, Lindsay, Molly and the rest of our family. Friends aplenty. Our church. A good job. Health.
___But in the spirit of the season, I'd also like to give thanks for what Maria calls "a few of my favorite things":
___The smell of clean cotton sheets.
___Enchiladas, stuffed chile rellenos, fresh flour tortillas and hot, hot salsa.
___Surprise phone calls from friends far away.
___The way Lindsay and Molly (sometimes) laugh at my jokes during dinner in the evening.
___High school football games, complete with loud, loud bands, screaming fans and, of course, drill teams.
___Slurpy kisses from babies.
___The sound of waves crashing on the beach.
___The sound of wind whistling through mountain pine trees.
___Short pants.
___Chocolate, what everybody in heaven surely eats for breakfast.
___Hot coffee at breakfast.
___The 1956 Baptist Hymnal.
___The way Joanna comes up behind me, hugs me and places her cheek on mine when I've had a hard day.
___Eyeglasses and contact lenses, which make more difference in my life than anything else I own.
___Chicken-fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy.
___Lyle Lovett and his Large Band.
___Father Tim and all his friends in mythical Mitford.
___Rain, if it ever falls.
___The way our dog, Betsy, greets me at the door in the evening.
___Pie. Any kind.
___My new brown shoes. Look at my picture. You know I can't do anything about that face, but I can have pretty feet.
___A grand, multi-hued Texas sunset.
___Praise the Lord for a world of love, joy, surprises and happiness. And don't forget to say thanks.
__

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