In the United States of America, Thursday 26 November is Thanksgiving this year. Canadians celebrated on the second Monday in October.  The holiday has become an excuse to watch football games, which, in some cases, might be better than the family gathering wherein discussions of politics and religion at dinner have caused verbal if not physical fist fights.  Apparently, there was a sketch about Thanksgiving on the most recent installment of Saturday Night Live with the singer, Adele, saving the day.  

But, first and foremost, Thanksgiving was established as a day to give thanks for life and what we have.  Family and friends, art, music, and dance, an incredible amount and variety of food to which we have access, the ability to function physically and mentally, and to work, play and dream.  Even in the deepest, darkest hours, may we remember and give thanks, inhale deeply and smile.  Here are some amazing smiles from familiar faces.  The first belongs to William "Buf" Bufkin.

William "Buf" Bufkin Lucia

Writer and activist Lucia Ortiz y Garcia 

Smiles come in all shapes and sizes, and perhaps, just a bit wistful or thoughtful, as in this shot of weaver Joe Bacon.

Joe Bacon

You can hardly beat Patricia Quintana's broad smile when she is working with sheep Patricia Quintana-2 or that of Richard Spera at his Casa Gallina guest houses

Richard Spera

or that of painter and teacher Paule Marx

Paule Marx

And sometimes, smiles are not as evident in the laugh lines as they are in the mischievous eyes, demonstrated in the photograph here of actor, dancer and teacher extraordinaire, Travis Webb.  

Travis Webb

Happy Thanksgiving and keep those smiles coming. We need them now more than ever!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@