HAPPY THANKSGIVING

On this day of Thanksgiving, I am blessed to be able to spend it with the best of friends, and if you can't be with family, who better to spend it with. This is the first Thanksgiving that Craig and I haven't spent together since we were married in 2001. I'm not sure if Craig's trainee Charles will be able to fill my shoes in my absence, but the thought of Craig at least not being alone today is some comfort.

By the time today is over, they will have earned themselves a nice Thanksgiving dinner, even if it will be at a truck stop away from home. But let's face it, if it wasn't for quite a few professions that must work on holidays, life as we know it wouldn't exist. So I give my thanks today for all of those who work those 24/7, 365 day a year jobs, where a holiday really is just another day, and who work to make America still the greatest Country in the world to live in.

Speaking of working, Wednesday Craig had the honors of driving from Spokane, WA to Quincy, WA to pick up the load of frozen french fries. Arriving a bit early for their appointment, they were loaded and ready to roll by 10:30am, after much discussion and debate on how best to load the trailer, which when scaled was at 79,990 pounds, just 10 pounds shy of the 80,000 maximum. Craig continued the driving duties, crossing over the Columbia River into Oregon, and finally changing drivers at a rest area 70 miles later. Charles then powered through the rest of Oregon, and made it into California and to the Flying J Truck Stop in Corning, CA by 2am. I'd say they earned their sleep after a full day of loading, fueling, and driving almost 800 miles, all within 21 hours.......a full day indeed.

My hope is that around the time that I will be sitting down to enjoy my own Thanksgiving feast in Walla Walla, WA, Craig will have found his own hot meal to enjoy, albeit no doubt at the Petro Truck Stop in Wheeler Ridge, CA, before heading into LA to stage for their delivery Friday morning. No matter where he will be, my glass will be raised in a toast to him and to all those who can not be with the ones they love on this day. To friends, family, and food......the trinity of any good holiday celebration. Happy Thanksgiving!