Category: News, observances, history

Thanksgiving in the Country

I reflect on my blogging journey, inspired by a Swedish immigrant doctor’s blog, “A Country Doctor Writes.” He shares personal Thanksgiving experiences from his early days in America and invites readers to explore his thoughts on the holiday. And some photos from my travels to country towns.

When I started blogging I reviewed other medical blogs since I knew nothing about blogging. I was intrigued by a Swedish immigrant doctor’s blog about his lengthy career practising medicine in rural Maine. He calls it A Country Doctor Writes because that’s what he is.

I guess I’m American enough, after spending ten more years here (Maine) than in Sweden, to start to get a little philosophical at Thanksgiving.

I spent my first Thanksgiving in this country not far from where the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, as an exchange student with a Jewish family, three houses down from an African American family in an otherwise white Anglo Saxon distant suburb of Boston.

Dr. Hans Duvevelt

Continue at the link to read his thoughts about this traditional holiday in his adopted country. And enjoy my photographs from visits to other parts of rural America.

Another Thanksgiving Reflection

Dr Duvevelt expanded his blog into a book, find it at this affiliate link.

A Country Doctor Writes: CONDITIONS: Diseases and Other Life Circumstances

by Hans Duvevelt, MD

country photos by Dr. Aletha

a US Route 66 road sign in Oklahoma by a display of cacti
The above photos were shot at
  • upper left corner- near Canon City, Colorado
  • lower left corner-Chandler, Oklahoma
  • middle right-Madrid, New Mexico
  • all others -rural northeast Georgia

Sharing the HEART of thankfulness

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Dr. Aletha

I use the Dwell Bible app to keep scripture easily accessible anywhere I go. I can read or listen to the Bible, devotionals, prayers, and even books.

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Forever Honoring Our Veterans 

Veterans Day on November 11 honors all who served in the U.S. armed forces. The Veterans Administration provides crucial health care and education through the VHA system. Personal stories highlight the deep bonds between veterans and their families. Meets a wounded veteran’s therapy dog serving as his best man at his wedding.

updated November 4, 2024

In the United States, we reserve Veterans Day, November 11, the Armistice of World War I,   to remember and honor all who do or have served in our armed forces. Other countries have similar observances.

The Veterans Administration provides benefits to veterans including health care. The VA Health Care System, or VHA,  one of the largest in the world, cares for veterans’ health and provides medical education and research.

If you have ever received care from a physician trained in the United States, that doctor likely learned from a veteran in a VHA facility. So our veterans continue to serve even after they leave military service. 

The Vietnam Women’s Memorial was established to honor the 265,000 military and civilian women who served around the world during the Vietnam War. photo by Dr. Aletha

 

Wounded Veteran’s Therapy Dog Serves as Best Man at Wedding

I believe your heart will be touched by this story about the special relationship between a wounded veteran and his therapy dog. Mine certainly was.

“It’s been quite a journey for U.S. Army veteran Justin Lansford and his canine companion, Gabe.

In 2012, Lansford lost his left leg in an IED explosion in Afghanistan.

This past weekend, Gabe had his paws full with an entirely new slew of responsibilities, serving as the best man in Lansford’s wedding to longtime girlfriend, Carol Balmes.”

photo by Dr. Aletha

My husband served in the Army and was deployed to Vietnam in the 1970s. Here is his story.

From bullets to blessings-one man’s journey to recovery from war

“I didn’t want to ever go to Vietnam again when I came home in 1972 after a one-year tour of duty with the United States Army. I was stationed with the Americal Division, 3/18 Field Artillery Battalion near Tra Bong, a major village located about 25 miles west of Chu Lai, the headquarters of the Americal Division, on “China Beach” at the South China Sea.”

Raymond and I at the Vietnam Veteran Memorial in Washington, DC

 

 

 

Memorial Day at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Angel Fire, New Mexico–

a special Memorial Day observance at a unique veterans’ memorial

statue of a soldier in a small flower bed
Doug Scott Sculpture at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial,Angel Fire New Mexico; I am kneeling in the background, viewing the veterans’ memorial walkway; Photo by Raymond Oglesby

 

A veteran dishes out love–

personal reflections from a Vietnam veteran

“The people around us are starving for love and we need to unlock our pantry and see to it that everybody gets a belly full.”

clowns entertain Vietnamese people
Billy and Jingles, a veteran and his wife, entertain at a medical clinic in Vietnam
(photo by Dr. Aletha)

 

 

sharing the HEART of respect and gratitude for those who served

Please share this post and leave a comment as a tribute to a veteran you love and admire. This post was featured on 

I appreciate your time reading this post and invite you to follow this blog and me on social media.

I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha