Thanksgiving gifts

I got out of bed on Thanksgiving. Early. As usual. Before the break of dawn.

I went for coffee and sat down to start writing.

Much to be thankful for and eager to say so.



The computer started and almost immediately broke out into a terrible clattering sound. Instinctively, I turned the thing off. The next day when I phoned Dell, the very bright and helpful young woman told me that the problem was my power supply and that I shouldn't worry because a power supply isn't expensive. And she assured me that I could exchange the bad for the good with ease. All I needed was a screwdriver. This afternoon the part came and just as the nice lady had promised, I did it all by myself. I think having the vodka and orange juice helped a lot. Joke.


The sudden loss of access to a computer made for a very quiet and peaceful few days.
I was forced to write using a pencil and pad of paper. How strange it is to see my own handwriting after, what seems like years. Very odd to watch my thoughts come to life on paper as my hand effortlessly makes all those intricate squiggly moves. Easy as falling off a bicycle.


The weather was about as good as it could be these past few days. (There is no such thing as global warming.) Perfect for walking and taking pictures.


So that's just what I did.













Thursday is our regular garbage pickup day, but because of Thanksgiving the collection company changed the day. We got this card from them on Tuesday




On Wednesday this card arrived.



On Friday, we found this in our post office box.

















Thanksgiving was a fine day. I spent last Thanksgiving in the hospital following my surprise bypass surgery. As far as hospitals go, it was OK, but it sure felt pretty good to be in my nice warm home with my family this year. Thanks.


"I'm the decider. I can bite this turkey's head off if I decide to."

Silver bells

There's a feeling in the air. And I thought I heard the sound of--I must be imagining--did you hear that? Bells? Silver bells? Can you feel it! In the air?

The plaza guys are putting up Christmas banners, and it's very cold. Feels like snow though none is predicted. Buying groceries I saw people I'd never seen before.
Strangers. People who only come out for the big one. Carts packed with chestnuts and turkeys, cans of pumpkin and evaporated milk.

And the cell phone thing is marvelous. I saw two people pushing carts with both hands, talking to themselves at full volume. At first I thought they were just ordinary folks pushed to the limits by the accelerating need to buy. Then I noticed they both had headsets and were probably just checking in with home to see if they should pick up a dozen eggs or more toilet paper. An extra six pack of Michelob for friends who might drop in unexpectedly. I admire those people. No inhibitions like me. I'd never be brave enough to do that.

A women with two cute little tots pushed me aside in produce as I was trying to find some reasonably ripe bananas, proclaiming "I only have five minutes to get through the whole store!" "Oh, I understand" I said. And why are all the bananas so green these days. I don't see the overripe bananas, perfect for banana nut bread, anymore.

People are just people after all. Just trying to put food on their families.