Counting our blessings during this Thanksgiving week, hoping for rain and props to a Boy Scout and a Rotary Club for helping those in need

 * … GIVING THANKS: Life can be chaotic and challenging, and sometimes heart breaking, but we all have our lists of things to be thankful for in this world. Among mine this Thanksgiving: I am blessed

with a core group of friends who have been there to listen, support, guide and challenge me; I have two grown daughters, Bakersfield girls them both, who are off making their own way in the world; I have a rewarding job and live in a town I proudly call home; I have my health that I work every day to maintain; I have the memories of a mother who had no equal; and finally I have a 9-year-old Tabby cat whose soft purr and head nudges wake me each morning. To ask for more would border on pure greed.

 * … RAIN: Do we dare expect more rain like the downpour we experienced over Halloween? The National Weather Service is predicting "a potential significant rain event for Southern California Sunday through Tuesday." Of course, a lot can change over the next week but let's keep those positive thoughts for another drenching.

 * … SPOTTED: Posted on Facebook by Larkin Tackett, son of the late Wendy Wayne and now an educator in Austin, Texas: "Our nation could benefit from extra servings of empathy, humility, and listening."

* … NORTH ROTARY: Hats off to the Bakersfield North Rotary, North High School Interact Clubs, Standard School District and the Bakersfield Jam who are joining together to feed 350 North of the River families for Thanksgiving. This is the 13th year that Bakersfield North Rotary has raised money for their Thanksgiving Basket project. It is a favorite project among Bakersfield North Rotarians who donate funds for baskets as well as securing corporate donations to ensure that these families have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

 * … GOOD FORM: And kudos to 14-year-old Fruitville Jr. High student Travis Wilkinson who completed his Eagle Scout Project for HALT Rescue. The project used wooden pallets, which Travis  and his fellow scouts from TROOP 147 transformed as platforms to elevate dog houses at the kennel , which serves as a temporary home for HALT's adoptable large breed dogs.

 * … MEMORIES:  Ken Barnes wrote to comment on a photo published in The Californian of a train loaded with military vehicles. "When I was twelve years old and attending Beardsley Elementary
school in 1951 I saw the same sight on the railway behind the school during recess one morning. The entire train was loaded with flatcars with military tanks on them headed to the Bay Area for shipment to Korea, I guess. It was a real scary sight to someone my age at that time."

Giving thanks as we all prepare for Thanksgiving, North Rotary reaches out to those in need and a last reminder of the Pie Run

* … THANKSGIVING: So many things to be thankful for this time of year. Among my blessings are: two successful daughters who are both employed and out there making it on their own; good health and a job that keeps me challenged; wonderful friends; a sweet gray tabby named Latte who never fails to greet me when I arrive home, and neighbors who always have a roaring fire with champagne when the nights get chilly. Expecting or wanting anything more would seem greedy.

* … ROTARY: Here's a big shout out to the men and women at Bakersfield North Rotary who are providing full turkey dinners for 350 need families. The food baskets are brimming with traditional holiday fare including a turkey, pie, stuffing, rolls, various canned veggies and five pounds of potatoes. Now in its 12th year, Rotarians, along with the help of North High Interact students, will assemble baskets and distribute them on Wednesday at the Standard School gymnasium.

 * … GOOD FORM: And while we are in the spirit of Thanksgiving, this note comes from Crissy Keller of West High School :"During the season of thankfulness, I want to take the opportunity to be truly grateful for such a genuine person. Craig Odom recently wrote in about an individual paying for his anniversary dinner and displaying such genuine kindness; however, I feel he should be recognized for already 'paying it forward'… in not only good form but in GREAT form. Craig stepped up this school year to volunteer as an assistant varsity volleyball coach with only one purpose of being an advocate and supporter of student athletes at West High. He saw a need to not only assist with coaching duties but also the opportunity to impact and influence the lives of our lady Vikings in a positive, enthusiastic manner. In my opinion, Craig has definitely paid it forward tenfold. A huge thank you shout out to Craig for being such a selfless, humble, exceptional, kind-hearted, and dedicated role model."

* … SPOTTED: On Facebook: "Note to self. Pajama bottoms and slippers are welcome at the DMV."

 * … MOOSE: Reader Jim Delmarter posed this question:"Has anyone seen the 'moose' overlooking the westbound California Avenue on ramp to northbound Highway 99?  It is actually a pine tree with the upper branches resembling the antlers and snout off a moose."

 * … PIE RUN: One last plug for the annual Thanksgiving Day "Pie Run" at Hart Park. There is no better way to start the day than a brisk walk up the hills at Hart Park with a few hundred of your neighbors (and not to mention their dogs) while returning to a roaring fire with plenty of food. Walk starts promptly at 6 a.m.

* … CHUCKLE: And finally, there is this from Mary Moreland: "Years ago when our twin grandchildren, Bryn and Thalia, were coming to Bakersfield with their parents Margalo and Will Weissman from the Bay Area for Thanksgiving they were delighted that they were going to stop at Paris, France for lunch. They were only slightly disappointed to find out that they were lunching at Harris Ranch."