Happy Thanksgiving, dear readers! Thank you for taking some time out of your preparations, your travels, or your general thanks-giving time to read for a while. If you don’t have thanks-giving time, please make some today; it’s what the day is set aside for — not food, family, or football, but thinking and thanking.

As it happens, today is also my birthday. It’s my first Thanksgiving-birthday combination since 2010; but oddly enough, the next time is only six years away, 2027. It isn’t just every seven years because the holiday has to be the fourth Thursday of the month and leap years mess things up every four years. Eleven and six years are the common intervals.

But I digress. (I’m getting old.) Thinking of answers for when people say “What are you going to do for Thanksgiving?” has a different tinge this year. It’s my first double-holiday without both of my parents, for one thing. I suppose I could look at 2010’s diary for ideas for what I did then, but lately, considering news of that year, I haven’t wanted to look at 2010 very closely. Maybe Thanksgiving-birthday will look better if I read what I did that day.

But as strange as this year has been, there are things and people to give thanks for today. I know you have some, too. Let’s take a few moments, or all day, and think of them as part of this Thanksgiving — and part of your birthday, whenever that is.

Everyone’s birthday ought to be Thanksgiving, at least every few years. There’s a lot of talk about “It’s your day!,” and I suppose I’ll spend much of it by myself, but I certainly didn’t get here alone. It’s time for me to be grateful for those who have helped me along the way, from my parents, sister and brother-in-law to my cousins, my dear friends (near, far, and traveling today) — and the little dogs, too.

It might get embarrassing, or someone might think it’s too revealing, for me to write about particular people in my life who I want to thank, and give thanks for, today. (Beside that, I don’t want to think “Oh, I wrote about them, so they’ll know.” I want to tell them how grateful I am, not just write it.) So I’ll use the little dogs I’ve been seeing lately to set the mood, to show you the kinds of things I’m thankful for today.

I’m thankful for the little Scottie I saw pulling his leash on Sunday to get attention while his owner was on her phone… three guesses who helped the wee dog, and the first two don’t count! (When I started to walk away, someone even pointed out “Here comes the dog,” so I went back.)

I’m thankful for funny moments, like my neighbors being in a less obvious part of their yard than their Samoyed when I call to her, “Hey, Whitey-dog!” Then, of course, I wish my neighbors a good morning, too.

I’m also thankful for Lola, the sweetheart of the street, the little hound who comes running to me for attention at the sound of my voice. No, Lola, I don’t believe you haven’t had any attention since I last saw you, but I’ll tickle your shoulders anyway while I talk to your owner.

Who brings happy thoughts like that to your mind today?

Let them know.

Thanks for reading, and thanks to those who take time to leave comments, whether directly on ChicagoNow, on Facebook, or by sending me an e-mail. I will answer, because I thank you for letting me know you are reading and thinking, even when we disagree. Thank you for your company.

Happy Thanksgiving.