Thanksgiving

One can never pay in gratitude; one can only pay "in kind" somewhere else in life.
-- Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Thursday, November 23, 2000
Two years ago: Letterman
Three years ago: Upgrade

This batch of entries starts here, with me returning from Orycon.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *    *

I woke Jack up at six. His back was hurting! I asked him if he thought his back was worse these days, or what had caused the change? He thinks that he was just used to having his back hurt in the mornings before, but since he's been sleeping in his recliner, he knows it doesn't have to be that way. Thus, it's harder for him to take!

Breakfast: coffee, cereal, toast. I admonished Jack not to get crumbs in the bed, then he teased me for sitting on the bed and eating toast. "It's my bed!" I cried. He appreciates that I get stuff like good coffee and Odwalla C monster juice for him. It's my nurturing side coming out!

We looked at the pass conditions on the web; not too bad yet, but he really needed to get going. He showed a flattering reluctance to leave me, but I know his folks want to see him. (Was it that he wanted to spend time with me, or was it the tough drive ahead that he didn't want to face?)

Maybe he'll get a deer early and come back early, but I won't count on it. He'll see about stopping by on his way back, too -- it's a good way to break a six hour drive into shorter blocks.

I started work on the SONW newsletter layout. I don't feel bad about just starting from a canned template in Publisher

*     *     *     *     *     *     *    *

My sister M---- called to tell me that we were expected at Q---'s house around two thirty. Q---- is a childhood friend of my brother-in-law who now also lives in Seattle. The two of them are in a local "Irish" band along with another friend, and perform around town fairly often. I saw very little traffic on my drive over to Queen Anne Hill. Thanksgiving might be even quieter than Christmas, although I was surprised to see that Kmart was open for business. Movie theaters are open, too, which might be a good thing for some families after too much together time.

I was surprised to see that we were going to do a sit-down dinner! Sometimes we've done a buffet-style eat in your lap dinner at this place. My movie buddy A---- was present, along with his brother from the bay area; they trade visiting each other on this holiday. We had a good feast, with the usual trimmings. I had pecan pie for dessert, which really hit the spot.

I talked with A----'s brother about my work site; he's interested and somewhat knowledgeable about investing, but hadn't seen StockCharts.com before, so he was quizzing me about the features we have. I was able to say "Yes" to most of his enquiries. Later, after dinner, he went upstairs to get online using W---'s computer, but he might have just crashed on the bed up there -- he'd taken a few drops by that time.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *    *

I left for Jane and Vonda's, after asking directions for the best route from the top of Queen Anne, to Wallingford. My brother-in-law pointed me to the street that wound under highway 99, curled around, and put me on the Aurora bridge.

As at the earlier gathering, they'd strung the tables and card tables out in a long line, and everyone had eaten dinner. I was only arriving for dessert, and I was full even for that! It was great seeing everyone. I talked with Kate and Glenn, comparing Thanksgiving this year with the trip last year (a rough day) and the year before (a wonderful day). In the smoking section (Jane's apartment downstairs) I talked with Victor and Andy Hooper, about TAFF and action figures, respectively.

I didn't stay late, since I wanted to go to work tomorrow for at least part of the day. I got email from Jack -- he'd driven to his folks' place in an ice storm all the way, seeing numerous accidents. But he made it safely, thank heaven!