Once upon a time I was  cowgirl living in the West. A life of horses and desert vistas, skies bluer than a Cowboy’s eyes. I always look forward most to Fall. There is a time in the desert where you survive summer and then one day there is a palpable snap, a change in the humidity I suppose, but you know that Fall has arrived even before the cooler temperatures do.

Back in Arizona my favorite holiday was Thanksgiving. Every year I looked forward to that day most knowing that it would be one filled with horses and dogs, good food, and friends. We used to celebrate Friendsgiving at Terry’s ranch. He had about 10 acres up north that he had subdivided to put rentals on it, little duplexes with corrals attached for his horse loving tenants. My friend Bobby was one of those. She would organize the event every year, a wonderful potluck with her amazing cakes and pies for dessert. Our contribution was always a turkey smoked in our Weber, that I stuffed with oranges and sage, rubbed with butter and Billy Ruiz’ Cowboy Rub. We would have a beautiful bonfire and talk the night away telling stories of old Cowboys and new world problems while the dogs waited for food to drop off our plates while coyotes howled,horses neighed and owls whoo. You never saw as many stars as on that night, a backdrop to the saguaro cactus and sky, high campfire.

It was a wonderful time of my life, one that I’ll always remember and had to give up for a new life. It’s not always easy to leave behind friends and memories, but sometimes we have to do that to find happiness. Thanksgiving now is often now one of gratitude and a solitary plate shared with my dog, but I will always remember my wonderful Thanksgiving’s in the West.