I used to think that writing a weekly column would be so easy. After all, I have millions of trivial thoughts travel my brainwaves each day. Trouble is, it seems that each thought is now just a fleeting flash out into never-never land.

Some tell me that this is what happens with age.

That was the case this week. I thought of several things I could write about, but for some reason or another I could never get enough of a thought pattern going to make up a column.

So, if you, gentle reader, will allow me, I shall ramble a bit.

First off, I had a moment of thinking of all that I am thankful for.

I am first and foremost thankful for my relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ. That is the be all and end all of all relationships. I hope you have the same in your life.

Secondly, I am most thankful for my relationship with my fiancée, Gail Petty. We will be getting married in October and I am more excited as each day grows closer.

Other things I am thankful for are:

- my parents, especially my stepfather, who is the epitome of a Christian man. He has made my mom feel better than I've seen her my entire life.

- the ability to write for a paper that allows me to express my views and a country that gives me that right.

- the U.S. flag. Long may she wave!

- my pastor friend, Chuck Patrick. What a loving, giving man he is.

- my "sister," Lisa Higdon. What a friend she is!

- my "brother" Randy Wilks.

- the fact that I am healthy enough to have a job after having my three neck surgeries in the past year.

- my new family-to-be. I am lucky to be marrying into the family I am.

- my cats, Skeezix and Annie, who have pulled me through some rather lonesome times and still give me hours of entertainment each day.

- my church, Silverdale Baptist, whose commitment to missions make me proud to be a member.

- the singles group at my church and all the great friends I've made there.

- Park Place Restaurant, where I can always get a good home-cooked meal.

- Sacred Sounds Friday nights at the Ringgold Depot.

- Good, old-fashioned gospel singing groups like the McKameys and The Marksmen Quartet.

- and finally, I am thankful for my friend Dana, who is one of the most Godly women I have ever known.

Now then, here are some things I pray for:

- peace, so that our military men and women can come home from Afghanistan and Iraq and the many other hot spots around the world where they are deployed.

- our children, and the fact that they all need Jesus Christ in their lives.

- that drugs and alcohol will not be a factor in their lives.

- that ministers will continue to preach the Word and not what is just "popular."

- that we will not forget the old-time gospel songs that I grew up on, the ones that talk about the blood of Jesus.

- for our missionaries around the world.

- for my friends, that God would place a hedge of protection around them.

- for my friend and one-time mentor Roy Exum, that God would continue to allow him to voice his talents in his daily columns in The Chattanoogan.

- for my friend and fellow-baseball aficionado Dr. Tim Evearitt, who just enjoyed another birthday.

- My Sunday School Small Group and singles ministry.

- and many, many more people and things.

Some thoughts that have stuck with me:

- People wonder where we went wrong in our country. To me it happened when we took prayer out of our schools and replaced it with police officers.

- Why do we insist on this convoluted idea of separation of church and state, when it was God's own hand that brought about the formation of our country?

- When will the "silent majority" no longer be silent, but an outspoken voice for what is right and needed in this land of ours?

- Why do parents allow their children to carry on in when they are to eat, disrupting everyone else's meal?

- Were those spankings I got when I was a kid really child abuse? Somehow, I don't think they were.

- Do really good teachers ever really retire or do they just go on teaching in different ways, to different audiences?

- Which really came first, the chicken or the egg? Fried chicken or omelets? And just how did someone come up with the idea that eggs could be edible?

- Who determined that by baking a potato you could get a really tasty side for a filet mignon?

- Is it just me, or does anyone else get offended at “blue” humor?

- Is there a better blues guitarist than Eric Clapton?

- and finally, does anyone else but me really care about what you've just read?

Thank you for indulging me this week for my rambling thoughts. If you have any ideas you'd like to see explored in this column, please get in touch with me at dnorwood@catoosanews.com or call me at 706-935-2621.

I'd love to hear from you and have you help me learn about my new city and county.

As always, God bless...

Dennis Norwood is a reporter the Catoosa County News. He caned by reached at dnorwood@catoosanews.com or 706-935-2621.