I'M STILL HERE - the three weeks project

Sorry I missed yesterday.  In the wee hours of Saturday however I became very ill with vomiting and other types of problems.  The culprit?  I believe a couple of spinach pie pieces I had earlier in the day.  I spent the day eating crackers and plain white rice, on the couch, working on feeling good enough to play with Oliver and Adelaide who were here for the holiday weekend.

Besides the children, a new puppy came to stay for the weekend.  And the parents, of course.  The house filled with screaming, crying, laughing.  David and I realized how quiet our house usually is.  I can still hear Adelaide's screams and cries.  She enjoys having tantrums I guess because she had a few every day.  That too shall pass.  I hope so because they're coming back in two weeks.

Despite the anarchy I loved having them here.  They're so smart and funny.  And loving.  I didn't have children but I have amazing grandchildren.  Isn't that a kicker?  Besides them, there is Ezri who lives in Chicago and comes over once a week.  I take her to the Merit School of Music just like I took Oliver in earlier years.

Thanks David for making me a grandmother.  I guess I have another reason for thanksgiving.

Sometimes it's hard to be a curmudgeon.

THANKSGIVING - ???

Although I've lived in this country since 1970, I still don't get this "Thanksgiving" thing.  Well, no, I get it.  But - what's all the hoopla about?  And eating turkey?  I've been reading the Charles Mann book 1493 and today I learned that the Powahatan came to the aid of the starving colonists but it was December and it was not turkey. 

Gratitude should not be something we express once a year.  It is not something we should express gorging ourselves with fowl and carbs.  It is not something we should show by eating ourselves into oblivion and drinking ourselves silly and falling asleep in the middle of the day on the couch.  And then...then comes "Black Friday."  What kind of insanity is that!?

In the news I saw people lining up outside stores starting Monday in Los Angeles.  They are sleeping in tiny tents and waiting for their relatives to bring them some turkey and stuffing on Thursday so they can be first in through the door of the Best Buy or Walmart or whatever store they plan to invade as soon as the doors are unlocked.  Waiting in line outside for four days so you can buy a tv or a computer?  Sleeping in a tent so you can be the first to get a "deal" on something you don't even need? 

Are there other places on earth where this happens at some time during the year?  I can't imagine - but if you know, please let me know.  I'd like to shake my head in disbelief and laugh as I do with the people here.

I confess: I don't like the "holidays."  Such pressure!  So much hullaballoo (sp?)!  And for what?  Presents, sales, food, drink, songs, decorations:  be happy or else!  Can't wait til they're over.  January can't come soon enough.  Of course, then I have to deal with freezing cold and snow up to my ears but, who knows, maybe this will be a mild winter.  Maybe.  I can always hope.