Nov 26, 2022Liked by Heather Lofthouse, Robert Reich
There were no arguments. All political comments were intelligently thought out, articulated brilliantly, and greeted enthusiastically. The meal was excellent with everything made just how it should be. Not a single utterance of complaint. The cook was frequently praised. The wine flowed freely. The prep and the cleaning up chores were accomplished with a minimum of fuss. A movie was quickly agreed upon. Laughter ensued. Gratitude abounded.
Nov 26, 2022Liked by Robert Reich, Heather Lofthouse
My Thanksgiving was fine. My annual Thanking tradition is to turn my attention to choices for charities' post-Thanksgiving Giving Tuesday Appeals. Early nods go to those with timely matching gift opportunities, like Earth Justice, Sea Shepherd, Waterkeepers Alliance and Turtle Island Restoration Network. Perhaps other folks can list their favorites, too.
In addition to their legal work, they publish a magazine for school children called "Teaching Tolerance," which is distributed to hundreds of schools. It encourages kids to embrace diversity and provides skills for conflict resolution.
Please don't misunderstand. My wife and I donate to numerous charities through-out each year; my wife volunteers several hours per week; and I had worked >7 years at close to minimum wage for some local charities*. My point was that the matching gift opportunity is a big lure for us.
*Addendum: One of them had many great programs, including being a local agent for HIAS. Another gave housing, food & 12-step counseling to indigent addicts.
Nov 26, 2022Liked by Heather Lofthouse, Robert Reich
Including Friday, I had a great T Day. A friend--who had suffered more than two years of illness, job insecurity, marital and family strife and drug treatment--got a doctor's clean bill of health and can now go to work in a new, better job.
While I celebrate this long-developing victory, I learn of new health challenges for friends, and the continuous suffering throughout the world. Light, nevertheless, shines in the darkness.
Our Thanksgiving was very special, just 2 of us married 55 years. Had a video call with one daughter and her family. Our son and family live in Canada so their Thanksgiving was in October. Our other daughter was working.
What made this Thanksgiving so special was being a live and I even fixed 1/2 of a turkey breast, Carol did the rest. On October 31, I had open heart surgery to repair my mitral valve, at Emory St Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta. Special thanks to Dr. Murphy and his team.
I had my family together for the first time in two years….with 3 dogs….we were joined by a dozen cousins from Israel via Zoom and it was an uplifting wonderful Thanksgiving….made even better by the close win expected for Warnock in Georgia
Grateful that our world is slowly improving over the centuries. Imagine going to a doctor or dentist 100 years ago. I hope that before this time next year the Ukrainians will have their country back and the Russians will have stopped attacking.
I have really started to hate the Russians. I know the average Russian is not to blame but they follow Putin the war criminal. Russians are also victims I know but you got to hate them for their crimes.
Who can dislike Tolstoy and Rachmaninoff? And let’s not forget the mathematician Lobachevsky! But, yes, it’s a major disappointment that Russia drifted into a traditional dictatorship.
Tooth extraction in 1800? I like it now. Amputation in 1863 without anesthesia? I will take the 21st century as bad as it sometimes is for us. Without modern medical me and my wife would be dead by now.
Nov 26, 2022Liked by Heather Lofthouse, Robert Reich
We choose our moods and I choose happiness.
As in Robert's previous essay, very aware the sands in the top of the hourglass are dwindling. They'll eventually run out regardless, so I'm choosing to find some happiness in every day.
We stayed home primarily due to my wife's chemo but those who were were going to visit all got sick so it worked out. Jo Nesbo is a good writer we also read. There are a lot of Scandinavian ones.
We arrived at Patria’s restaurant in Salinas CA for a confirmed Thanksgiving reservation at 4:30 pm. They were not there to serve us! So we celebrated Thanksgiving with fries and soda at Fosters Freeze on Main Street.
I, too, feel incredible relief following the Election Day. I hiked up my favorite local hill and looked out at all the mountains that surround, I visited a friend who is quite ill, and came home to many phone chats and a piece of pumpkin pie. A very quiet and soothing Thanksgiving. We all have so much to be grateful for.
Grateful I can still make the food ,set a lovely table and eat all the goodness. The weather was spectacular. There were 7 of us and the age range from 3 years old to 99. We tested 4 days before and the day of all negative and very, very glad we can do this. All but two of us could take a hike in Tilden before returning home for pie to end our gathering. There happened to be 4 Jo Nesbo fans in this group. No discussion about the latest…way to dark for thanksgiving.
There were only the 4 of us = 'me, myself, and I, AND Dweezle, my cat. We spent a quiet day finishing off leftovers (finally - after a week in the fridge) & a bit of desserties (out of the carton from the freezer).
After dinner time I did call and talk to 2 of my sibs & my best friend and caught up on their lives and issues. Then early to bed ~
All in all, a restful and (reasonably) stress free day.
My husband got Covid after returning from a work trip to India. So we had to cancel plans. I’ve tested negative. But I’m relieved that it happened now and not at Winter Solstice!
Because we’re inside so much, we started the holiday show watching. Couldn’t download Elf so we went to another favorite Love Actually. Next The Holiday.
And I made us a nice vegetarian meal since the nurse advised my husband not to eat meat during Covid symptoms.
Looking forward to Christmas time and decorations going up.
There were no arguments. All political comments were intelligently thought out, articulated brilliantly, and greeted enthusiastically. The meal was excellent with everything made just how it should be. Not a single utterance of complaint. The cook was frequently praised. The wine flowed freely. The prep and the cleaning up chores were accomplished with a minimum of fuss. A movie was quickly agreed upon. Laughter ensued. Gratitude abounded.
Thanksgiving dinner for one.
Right there with you. I've spent Thanksgiving with me for many years now.
Fabulous. I had dinner for one as well, but not nearly as elegant. Maybe next year . . .
I love it!
I feel better knowing I was not alone being alone (:-)
Thanks, Janet!
Lovely description! I knew it was too good to be real.
My Thanksgiving was fine. My annual Thanking tradition is to turn my attention to choices for charities' post-Thanksgiving Giving Tuesday Appeals. Early nods go to those with timely matching gift opportunities, like Earth Justice, Sea Shepherd, Waterkeepers Alliance and Turtle Island Restoration Network. Perhaps other folks can list their favorites, too.
Southern Poverty Law Center.
In addition to their legal work, they publish a magazine for school children called "Teaching Tolerance," which is distributed to hundreds of schools. It encourages kids to embrace diversity and provides skills for conflict resolution.
World Central Kitchen and HIAS are two favorites of mine! They both do just great work with refugees all over the world.
Please don't misunderstand. My wife and I donate to numerous charities through-out each year; my wife volunteers several hours per week; and I had worked >7 years at close to minimum wage for some local charities*. My point was that the matching gift opportunity is a big lure for us.
*Addendum: One of them had many great programs, including being a local agent for HIAS. Another gave housing, food & 12-step counseling to indigent addicts.
Including Friday, I had a great T Day. A friend--who had suffered more than two years of illness, job insecurity, marital and family strife and drug treatment--got a doctor's clean bill of health and can now go to work in a new, better job.
While I celebrate this long-developing victory, I learn of new health challenges for friends, and the continuous suffering throughout the world. Light, nevertheless, shines in the darkness.
Our Thanksgiving was very special, just 2 of us married 55 years. Had a video call with one daughter and her family. Our son and family live in Canada so their Thanksgiving was in October. Our other daughter was working.
What made this Thanksgiving so special was being a live and I even fixed 1/2 of a turkey breast, Carol did the rest. On October 31, I had open heart surgery to repair my mitral valve, at Emory St Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta. Special thanks to Dr. Murphy and his team.
May the hand of God heal you.
I'm grateful for you and for this community.
Me too
Me three, she squeaked from the peanut gallery!
I had my family together for the first time in two years….with 3 dogs….we were joined by a dozen cousins from Israel via Zoom and it was an uplifting wonderful Thanksgiving….made even better by the close win expected for Warnock in Georgia
Grateful that our world is slowly improving over the centuries. Imagine going to a doctor or dentist 100 years ago. I hope that before this time next year the Ukrainians will have their country back and the Russians will have stopped attacking.
I have really started to hate the Russians. I know the average Russian is not to blame but they follow Putin the war criminal. Russians are also victims I know but you got to hate them for their crimes.
Who can dislike Tolstoy and Rachmaninoff? And let’s not forget the mathematician Lobachevsky! But, yes, it’s a major disappointment that Russia drifted into a traditional dictatorship.
A lot of them got out as soon as Putin attacked Ukraine.
I'm not so sure the dentists have improved.
Tooth extraction in 1800? I like it now. Amputation in 1863 without anesthesia? I will take the 21st century as bad as it sometimes is for us. Without modern medical me and my wife would be dead by now.
We choose our moods and I choose happiness.
As in Robert's previous essay, very aware the sands in the top of the hourglass are dwindling. They'll eventually run out regardless, so I'm choosing to find some happiness in every day.
We stayed home primarily due to my wife's chemo but those who were were going to visit all got sick so it worked out. Jo Nesbo is a good writer we also read. There are a lot of Scandinavian ones.
The Icelandic mystery writers are the best. Scary as shit.
We arrived at Patria’s restaurant in Salinas CA for a confirmed Thanksgiving reservation at 4:30 pm. They were not there to serve us! So we celebrated Thanksgiving with fries and soda at Fosters Freeze on Main Street.
I LOVE that.
My 24 year old grandson came down with Covid the night before so we had to cancel everything, but he's doing well so far, so I'm thankful.
Great attitude on your part.
I, too, feel incredible relief following the Election Day. I hiked up my favorite local hill and looked out at all the mountains that surround, I visited a friend who is quite ill, and came home to many phone chats and a piece of pumpkin pie. A very quiet and soothing Thanksgiving. We all have so much to be grateful for.
Grateful I can still make the food ,set a lovely table and eat all the goodness. The weather was spectacular. There were 7 of us and the age range from 3 years old to 99. We tested 4 days before and the day of all negative and very, very glad we can do this. All but two of us could take a hike in Tilden before returning home for pie to end our gathering. There happened to be 4 Jo Nesbo fans in this group. No discussion about the latest…way to dark for thanksgiving.
I was so anxious about the election also. Now to get Warnock back to DC!
Let’s hope so!
There were only the 4 of us = 'me, myself, and I, AND Dweezle, my cat. We spent a quiet day finishing off leftovers (finally - after a week in the fridge) & a bit of desserties (out of the carton from the freezer).
After dinner time I did call and talk to 2 of my sibs & my best friend and caught up on their lives and issues. Then early to bed ~
All in all, a restful and (reasonably) stress free day.
My husband got Covid after returning from a work trip to India. So we had to cancel plans. I’ve tested negative. But I’m relieved that it happened now and not at Winter Solstice!
Because we’re inside so much, we started the holiday show watching. Couldn’t download Elf so we went to another favorite Love Actually. Next The Holiday.
And I made us a nice vegetarian meal since the nurse advised my husband not to eat meat during Covid symptoms.
Looking forward to Christmas time and decorations going up.