Happy Thanksgiving from Maryville, Tennessee

Woke up feeling good, started the coffee and looked at the local headlines.  There in big black letters were three pre-holiday stories, which were also online at http://www.thedailytimes.com/

It's tellin it like 'tis, I thought.  First for the City:  Maryville faces $1M revenue shortfall; officials want to delay school improvements, cut operations

Then more on the schools:   Maryville delays school construction; city unable to issue bonds due to global financial crisis

Finally, this upper from the church where we used to hold our Blount County Writers Association meetings--Bless them:  Former employees plan Christmas meal for co-workers out of job  

Quote: 

It is being prepared for employees of Medical Data Specialists, Resource Imaging Group, Direct Integration Specialists and Basic Communications who lost their jobs when the companies closed with no notice and no benefits.

Just this week I've heard so much from neighbors and friends of what is happening to them.  Somehow there doesn't seem to be any panic--just a questioning of what they need to do.  Two young friends were here yesterday, and I regaled them with Great Depression stories.  One concerned my mother's taking the 22 rifle out to the pasture to kill a sagechicken for our supper.  (Just to keep things in perspective for them when their cars break down or they don't get as many hours as they want at their part-timers!)

I am so very thankful for good news sources--slow though they be in  coming sometimes.  Our hometown paper is associated with a smaller company. It's taking a hit in costs, and I feel their worries will multiply after the glossy ads of The Season are not so forthcoming.  They did the right thing by whittling inches off the paper. Great that they sent their own reporters out to hear what is happening to our little city. 

Likewise, I am so thankful for my chosen Window to the World.  Each time I read an OEN article from Australia or Pakistan--or maybe Canada--I feel so lucky to find out what's going on in the rest of the world.

I guess I've just about finished writing thankful notes to family and friends who are far from the Tennessee Valley.  However, I recognize that during 2008 I've spent a good part of my time with cyber-friends.  So this is wishing all writers and readers at OEN a very blessed Thanksgiving holiday.  Thank you for being there for me.