Thankful for everything but the roads

The holiday season is already here. The weather forecasters keep predicting a chance of snow. We actually had an inch or so here in Elk a couple of weeks ago. As Thanksgiving is just two weeks away, I thought maybe I should reflect on what I have been thankful for this past year.

Like many of us in the Inland Northwest, I am always thankful for living in such a beautiful place. When I walk out in my yard, I am amazed by the scenery. Whenever we drive to the many wonderful neighboring scenic areas, I am happy to be close to so many options.

And when we drive back to Elk, it always feels good to be home. Yet, when I drive on any of the roads to get home (Bridges, Fridegar or Madison), I am thankful my car did not fall into one of the hundreds of potholes. That reminds me: I should also be thankful my car survived another summer of washboarded, pothole-filled, dust-inundated roads with only a few hundred dollars in repairs.

I think many of us are thankful to live where people are generally nice, polite and generous. I am very thankful for all of our dear friends we have made, even as “newbies” to the area (only 11 years). I am always amazed by the generosity of our rural friends and neighbors.

I am thankful that, after much banter and to-do about the horrible conditions and the lack of maintenance of our rural roads, our county commissioner now knows where Elk is. (If only the county road maintenance folks could figure it out!)

I am always grateful that our northern Spokane County area of Elk-Chattaroy has a “Voice” in The Spokesman-Review. On the first day of every month, I am thankful for our community paper, the Elk Sentinel.

I, like most Elk residents, am very thankful that Bartlett’s Backwoods Store in downtown Elk has re-opened and they will offer pizza delivery in the neighborhood. I am often grateful to have Riverside Family Foods and Miller’s One Stop on Highway 2, especially when I don’t have enough gas to get to town or need some groceries without driving 15 or 20 miles. I am very thankful for all of our local businesses, organizations and artisans.

I am thankful that my parents and our daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter live close by. My husband and I are both from Air Force families and moved around a lot when we were growing up, so it is very nice to be close to family. Our other immediate family members are in Georgia and Texas, so there are a lot of phone calls and e-mails.

I know we are all thankful to live in America. Things are bad for a lot of people in our country right now – loss of jobs, loss of homes, loss of savings. I am thankful that the current recession has not affected the Inland Northwest as badly as in many parts of the country. I hope you join me in good thoughts and wishes (and generosity if you are able) for all the folks who have been affected, especially with the holidays upon us.

There are holiday happenings to talk about next time. One event I want to remind you about is the Riverside High School DECA annual free Thanksgiving dinner in the high school cafeteria on Nov. 25 at 6 p.m.

Everyone in the community is welcome. They would appreciate donations of cash or Thanksgiving food items. Checks may be sent to: Matt Filippini, 4120 E. Deer Park-Milan Road, Chattaroy WA 99003. Checks or food items may be delivered to the high school office. Information: Matt Filippini at filippinim@riversidesd.org.