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This is the week when many people take the time to take stock of their lives and contemplate the reasons why they should be thankful. My personal Thanksgiving inventory is lengthy, but truth be told, I’d be really thankful. . . . . . if the people who are offended by this column actually read the thing. . . . if the cost of flushing toilets in Auburn was not pegged to the price of a barrel of oil.
. . . if the sulfides used to help preserve red wine didn’t give so many people throbbing headaches. . . . if the Chicago Cubs win the World Series before I pass from this earth. I’ve been waiting for 57 years. . . . if I didn’t have to miss my last Salsa lesson (sorry partner), because I was born to dance. . . . if my Springer Spaniel, Willie Gee, didn’t shed so damned much. . . . if dogs and sailors were welcome in all of Auburn’s parks. . . . if Ponderosa pines didn’t burn so well. . . . if the Auburn Police traded in their Dodge Charger stealthmobile for a totally blacked-out Toyota Prius. . . . if Francisco Evangelista shared Thanksgiving dinner at home with
his real family, not his newly adopted crew at the Placer County Jail. . . . if I could be certain there is one true God. If there is, why do so many people die in His name? . . . if I could muster just a single ounce of understanding about what women want. . . . if I can continue riding my Harley as long as I can lift it off the stand. . . . if everyone said what they meant, and meant what they said. . .at least once in awhile. . . . if Trader Joe’s continues to give Auburn the cold shoulder. . . . if everyday life on Millertown Road is as sweet as it seems, or am I just hiding here? . . . if I was a full-blooded Maidu Native American. . . . if some day affordable high-speed Internet access comes to the hinterland. . . . if I understood why the local media and city council care so much
about what Dan Sokol and the two other members of the League of Placer
County Taxpayers think. . . . if all television channels were broadcast in high definition. . . . if government and public agencies in Auburn were prevented from
using “because it is a personnel issue,” as a lame excuse when they
refuse to disclose information about high-profile criminal cases. . . . if the sun were to always shine on my friends Gilbert, Vito and
Squeaky while they sit on their favorite bench in Old Town. . . . if two newspapers are always published in Auburn so that the truth has a half a chance to see the light of day. . . . if our troops in the Middle East could all come home today; if
gasoline, housing and food were affordable for all; if the homeless
found shelter; if global warming was a myth; if, if, if . . . But especially, if there was enough love to go around for everyone. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving holiday, but then that’s up to you, isn’t it? Gary Moffat is a journalist and owner of Carpe Vino in Old Town Auburn. You can reach him at
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