It's Bill, 11/30: Thankful

Gathering Tips and Wreath Making

Deb and her husband, Paul, took me tipping on their farm for fir tips for wreath making last Thursday. This will be part of a future blog on wreath making. Thursday night, I stopped by Deb’s Porch, which has been transformed into Deb’s Wreaths, where Deb and her friend Lynne were making wreaths. We’re all sipping on white wine, having fun. I asked, “What should next week's blog be about? I’m not going to write about Thanksgiving.” Deb quickly replied, “If you are not going to write about Thanksgiving, you should write about what you are Thankful for. You must have a lot.” And I do.

Gathering fir tips deep in the woods with Bill for wreath making prep.

Stacking fresh fir for wreath making in the snowy woods.

Assembling wreaths on Deb’s Porch, aka “Deb’s Wreaths.”

Thankful for Friends

The first thing I am thankful for is friends. No question, friends are the best part of being in the community of Lubec. We respect and know each other. We listen and do our best to understand and help. Being widespread, usually remote, when we see each other we take time say “Hello!” and leave with a smile and some good humor.

Being here on West Quoddy Head for 25 years, I have come to have many friends of all sorts. Young, old, male, female. I’ve done so well at having friends that Patricia has pointed out that I have about 25 girlfriends. Balance is key to survival when considering 25 girlfriends, particularly with their husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends. Lubec is a small town.

Grateful for West Quoddy Head

I am thankful for where I am, living on West Quoddy Head at West Quoddy Station on the Easternmost Point in the Continental USA. It’s a historic destination between the United States and Canada. On the Bay of Fundy, I’m surrounded by lighthouses in an unspoiled, natural environment in a traditional Maine fishing community. I have access to the ocean with whales and seals and unending choices for fine hiking trails, woodland animals, land and sea birds.

Head Harbour Lightstation, also known as East Quoddy Lighthouse, standing proud off the northern tip of Campobello Island — a classic view for guests at West Quoddy Station.

Health and Longevity

Most importantly, I am thankful for my health. Within weeks, I’ll be a healthy 81 with good markers for blood pressure, weight, mobility. I attend exercise class twice a week and yoga twice a week and have a healthy, low-fat diet. I survived pancreatitis and my prostate cancer is in check. I feel good to go for another 20.

Happy, healthy, and thankful Bill.