There’s something weird about picking mid-October – the point in the calendar where things are about to go completely in the crapper for the next six months – as a time to give thanks.
But here we are, Thanksgiving has been celebrated every October in this country since time immemorial, or since 1957, depending on which version of the truth you like best. Either way, it is what it is and there’s no point in arguing.
So, without further ado, here is my list of things I am thankful for now that we are 78 percent of the way through 2026.
I am thankful that the referendum is almost over. I am a big fan of democracy, especially when people vote exactly as I want them to, but this entire process has felt unnecessarily divisive. It’s time to put it behind us and move on.
I am thankful to have reached my mid-sixties with most of my original parts still intact.
I am thankful for days when I can remember where I left my car keys.
I am thankful for cold beer and good company. Those are two of my favourite things. And when the company shows up bringing the beer with them, I am doubly thankful.
I am not thankful that there is snow in the forecast for the weekend. But I am thankful that it’s a little too early for folks to start saying that “we need the moisture.” Speak for yourselves. I had plenty of moisture back in June.
I am thankful that the wasps have gone away.
I am thankful that Bob Dylan went electric. I am also thankful for his earlier acoustic work including classics such as … ahh, you don’t care, do you?
I am thankful that this is a long weekend. That means I can laze about doing nothing on Monday with a clear conscience, rather than lazing about doing nothing and feeling guilty like I do most Mondays.
I am thankful for raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens.
Ummm.
I am thankful that this year there’s no need for Canadians to worry about any kind of world series heartbreak.
I am thankful that after more than 20 years of marriage my wife still laughs at some of my jokes. Not all of my jokes, and not always very loudly, but still, it feels like a win.
And I am thankful for turkey with roast potatoes and gravy, with pumpkin pie to follow and maybe a bottle of something slightly more upmarket than the usual stuff. If the next six months are going to be horrid it seems wise to spend as much of it as possible in a food coma.
