Today is November 1.  If you are a Catholic, it's All Saints' Day.  In Mexican culture, they celebrate Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead, which coincides with All Saints' Day and All Souls Day, which is tomorrow. It's also the day that retailers go nuts and Christmas trees and wreaths and jingle bells appear everywhere you turn.  I'm not particularly fond of rushing the holidays.  Let me enjoy my turkey and gravy and all that jazz first.  Then bring on the mass consumerism.

So, up there is Miss Violet.  This picture was taken last Thursday after I finally got her to eat.  She is feeling much better and is back to her old self.  She follows me into the bathroom to get petted and it may sound weird, but it's one of the things I love most about her.  She has gotten incredibly hip to the whole pilling procedure and she now knows that when my husband comes home, it's pill time.  She hides.  So, I would personally like to thank the inventor of the "Pill Pocket."  Violet is none the wiser since I started using these ingenious little treats.  Once she's off the steroids, I plan to find a new vet.  I'm not going to give up on her just because she has heartworms.  If any cat can beat this diagnosis, I think she can.  She's been through a lot and she's got spunk.

So, why did I title this post gratitude?  Well, for one, I am really grateful that Violet made it through.  Just because I call myself the death writer does not mean that I'm totally cool with loss.  Quite the opposite.  I'm also grateful to the people who reached out to Sonya Reed this past week.  You have no idea how big of an impact your letters made.  Thank you sooooooo much.  Seriously.

Well, my kids raked in the candy last night.  One house gave each kid a full size Reese's Peanut butter cup and I'm not talking the one with two.  This was truly full size and contained six. I am going to try and contain myself.  Won't be easy.

Last but not least, I am grateful to my readers.  I know that not all of you comment, but I know you're there and I appreciate you stopping by.

Till next time!