Gratitude

I just put the pumpkin custard in the oven and Seena is making breakfast before we tackle the fig crostata. We're headed off to Sallie and Theo's for a Thanksgiving meal of duck and whatever else he plans to surprise us with. I expect that it will be a lovely gathering, I'll get to cuddle a baby, and before the night is over I'll have some more photos like this one*:

Nothing beats the urban family when you can't go home to your own.

I made a resolution a few years ago to express my gratitude to the world at large as much as I can. I think I have done well, it's become a part of how I communicate now, but it's always a good thing to reflect on a day that is set aside for that specific activity. Here's the short list of the big stuff:

• My supportive, wonderful, goofy husband who amazes me daily (and who just handed me a gorgeous omelette).
• Family that might be far away physically but is never far from my thoughts.
• The house that we rent, but still have made home, proving (to me) that home is a state of mind, not a mortgage.
• Friends who invite you into their home on a holiday because they kind of like you.
• A vet who calls you Thanksgiving morning to discuss the health of the old dog that you love.

I could go on and on, but I'm getting a wee bit misty-eyed writing this (it doesn't take much these days), so I'm going to stem the sappiness and wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. If you get a chance, make someone's day by telling them how thankful you are for their presence in your life. I find you can't say, or hear, that too often.

*I'm taking the better camera today, so hopefully I'll have better pictures.

Needs

Today being Wednesday meant a happy hour, regardless of the holiday to follow. The group was small compared to most nights, but it was an interesting gathering.

The friend who was recently served with divorce papers came tonight. He's been showing up a lot more lately, much to everyone's delight. He is a source of many smiles and it's wonderful to have him back among us more often. We all knew that he had a settlement meeting this week, and we pushed for details.

I think we may have pushed too hard. I noticed some displeasure at questions that were directed at him. We also have a tendency to throw the soon-to-be ex-wife under the bus. This bothers him. I have a great deal of respect for my friend as he has taken, and continues to take, the high road through this whole ordeal. He has maintained a very even-handed stance and reminded us all that we only know his side of the story. This can't be easy.

I think it is natural in the efforts to comfort a friend who is in the middle of a breakup, whatever kind of breakup, to badmouth the other person. I believe that it comes from a good place. I personally don't think that there is a right or wrong person in any given situation. I know that there are two (or more) sides to every story. But he hasn't repeatedly refused an outstretched hand of friendship. He was my friend first. He is still my friend and I will throw my support to him. Period. End of story.

I learned tonight that I need to temper how I express that support. She's not the devil, just bat-shit crazy (his words, so it's okay). I need to listen to what my friend needs.

I asked him tonight what he wants for Christmas. His answer was that there is no thing he wants, he needs friendship and a hug. The friendship is a given. The hugs are available anytime.

What's Wrong With This Answer?

If I had a superpower, it would be procrastination. Oh. Wait. I don't need to be a superhero to make use of that one. That happens pretty much All. Of. The. Time.

I've got a paper (draft) due tomorrow that I haven't really worked on much. My own stupid fault, I know, but that means that this post is going to be a little short of end of the stick. Sorry.

On the busses here, they have televisions that run a rotating bunch of trivia questions and interviews with local businesses. When I get on this afternoon I see:

Question: What nation spends, on average, the most time consuming a meal?

Answer: French.

Care to take a stab at what might be wrong with that answer?

Tell Me A Story

I had so much fun reading what you guys thought about Roommate Communication that when I heard this yesterday, I thought of you all.

So, tell me a story. What do you think would spark this comment?

"My pants just assaulted me."

And... go.

A New Tradition

As we are a young family, we don't yet have many traditions of our own. I think we may have just co-opted a very old tradition.

Yesterday afternoon, to take our minds off of what felt like impending doom awaiting us at home (it didn't turn out to be, but damn if I couldn't shake that feeling at the time), Seena and I finally saw Julie and Julia. Being lovers of food and in need of fluff, it went down like a much needed, well-made martini*. I left the theater in tears, for a multitude of reasons, but mostly because I am a soft heart and the movie was designed to tug at the heartstrings.

We made our way to the nearest bookstore and purchased Mastering the Art of French Cooking. I resisted the urge to suggest we go to a used bookstore and find one with some history in it. Another person's notes and stains from usage in the kitchen. Now we have one of our own to document our history in and that's kind of exciting. We purchased the book with the promise to each other that we are going to use the book to make Sunday dinner. Every week. Whether just for ourselves or with others, that at least one day a week, we'll hit the kitchen together and tackle a project. We started today with a fish dish.

I have no documentation, just a report that it was an admirable first stab at something new. It's lovely to sit on the couch with a good dinner, a good bottle of wine, in our sweats, in front of The Amazing Race. Cause that's how we roll.

*Please forgive the horrible, forced metaphor. I couldn't help myself.

The Line

I've often wondered about the desire to write about life, my life, like people outside the usual suspects would care. I've often wondered about the point where I would stop, the thing(s) that I would not post, no matter how much I want to. I found that line today.

It's been an emotionally fraught last day and a half. I don't want to get into details as it involves others where it isn't my place to share. Suffice it to say that the situation has been remedied.

Since I don't feel it appropriate to share, but the happenings have taken up all of my mental space the past 24-ish hours, I am at a loss as to what to post today. Other than I have found the line I am unwilling to cross in blogland, and it's made me curious about yours. Have you found it or did it exist before you put any words on the screen?

Hearts

In anatomy class today, we dissected sheep hearts. I've never had so much fun dissecting something.

Remember the girl who freaked out before the brain dissection? She skipped class today. Probably for the best.

On a related note, the movie that kept playing through my head during both dissections.

If you haven't netflix-ed it already, do so now. This one, Shawn of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. They make an awesome triple feature.