Thanksgiving in North-Cack-a-Lacky

Thanksgiving Week, and a visit to NC.  I don't normally read National Geographic as my family is more of the National Enquirer variety, but flying back to NC and trying to purchase tolerable reading material at the airport, NG is about the best option.  Flipping through the pages, I'm reminded why I stopped reading it.  #1 - the articles are too long to house the magazine in the bathroom, #2 I'm always filled with the desire to see the ice flows of Antarctica, the valleys of China and the plains of Tanzania.  I'm not positive that particular desire is a bad thing.  As we move toward our New Year's resolutions, I'm going to resolve to read National Geographic until my desire to see, to do, and to go, becomes an obsession.  Sucking the marrow out of life sure takes the lots of time, money and energy.  I sure hope Rusty is up to this resolution.  

Side note on traveling, one is thrust into the short end of the gene pool, stuck next to the hoi polloi!  The Chicago airport is filled with sour and dour large midwestern stock, too important for words like "please" or "thank you".  Lots of brassy and pushy broads yielding little to no courtesies.  I'm sure Chicago is filled with wonderful and kindly people - they just don't happen to be traveling on the Saturday before Turkey Day. 

 Visiting with mom was comforting, after her hospital stay due to a minor stroke about a month ago now.  She is stubborn of course and refusing assistance unless absolutely necessary.  She is furious with the doctor and the physical therapist, which is a good sign for my mom, as this will motivate her to get well quicker.  Although initially her gross motor skills were impaired, now most functions are returned and she is doing quite well.  Both of my siblings stepped up to help...thanks siblings.   

Monday Night - My brother opened up his home to serve chicken and veggie chili for a few friends and myself, both chilis were very good.  The company was amazing with Julie, Mechelle and Ann in attendance.  What a lovely triumvirate?  I imagine these sharp witted forked tongued devils would have been burned at the stake in previous centuries, but one does have to admire their charm, beauty and power, characteristics sometimes even used for good.  

Tuesday, a quick stop to visit Debbie and Thiru, and her new kitchen, large enough to land a dirigible.  Debbie must be able to suck the chrome off  a turnpike full of Jersey motor homes to get Thiru to renovate to this extent.  Is there anything this hussy doesn't get?  Can one consider oneself a housewife if your only housework consists of beating the hired help on a weekly basis.  Lovely to see you my dear, the new work from Dr. Scheinfeld seems to almost be holding up. Too much?  Let me soften it...alleged beatings, alleged work and alleged chrome sucking.  

This recipe is most definitely shaken not stirred...

Tuesday evening, Foundations Bar (on Fayetteville Street downtown Raleigh) with a crowd of loved ones!  The frenetic synergy and excellent drinks by Jordan, my new favorite bartender, led surprisingly to moments of clarity and overwhelming feelings of contentment.  It's the feeling one has when you know everyone is in it for the long haul.  The trust and love built over time.  Does this exist for us in California?  Glimmers of it.  It is enough to know it is someplace.  

Jordan serving up a few ounces of decadence in a glass. 

A little bad taste is like a dash of paprika ~ Dorothy Parker

Egads Donna!  

Magic 8 Ball says? 

Someone's kinda mean drunk...don' mess wid da Jersey girl.  

What a queer Pieta!

Nice, who gets to take home this prize.  

Someone pressed for an answer regarding our move back to the land of good biscuits and better bourbon.  I get the feeling the Universe has many things to still teach us in California.  Until then, many visits to North Carolina, and many visitors from North Carolina.  

A beautiful NC sunset!

Also stopped by briefly to see Scott and his wife.  What a delicious couple cut from the cloth of youth.  I believe the standard mid twenties timeline has started.  The joy of possibility shines in their eyes, not yet dimmed by the disappoints of daily life.  It's seductive, the American search for domesticity.  We tried it, I was not a big fan.        

What kind of fool travels to Orlando on Thanksgiving Day.  Well, me for one.  I certainly enjoyed the precociousness of all the kids in the waiting area of the airport.  

Rusty and his madre.  

We spent a really joyous Thanksgiving Day at Rusty's folks in Titusville, FLA.  The dinner was fantastic in the company of Rusty's folks and two of their long time friends.

 Rusty's mom is very positive regarding chemotherapy and radiation treatments. The highs are high, but the lows are very low.  Rusty went to a session at the cancer center and has lots of confidence in the staff. 

And now the Padre...

Traveling back to the Golden State was uneventful but crowded.  In the small world category, I shared a flight with one of our instructional assistants from our school.

December 5th - Gruss vom Krampus und Nikolas - The pagan roots of the legends surrounding St. Nick are undisputed but one of the characters from the early days during the conversion from paganism in Austria was Krampus.  This demon, complete with horns and a long tongue and carrying a switch was there to beat misbehaving kids, a practice I sometimes miss.  He was the side kick of St. Nick who had the power to send him back to hell.  According to National Geographic, this character is making a come back in Austria, celebrated the evening before St. Nick's day (for our non German friends, St. Nick's Day is December 6th).  Austrians dress up as Krampus and go clubbing (Why of course, nothing says Christmas like a devil at a disco.)   

Upon my return, I met Ray and Stacey in the city.  we certainly had a good time at the SF MOMA  drinking Blue Bottle Coffee on the rooftop garden, before a trip to Medjool for a drink and some eats, with an awesome view.  It's amazing to be living in the same state with Ray...even though we still rarely get together, we still see each other more than before.

A beautiful day in the city in November.  

 Rooftop view of downtown from the Mission.

Santa says:  I like 'em nice and naughty.  
Festive house hung in the rain and drizzle.
More fun for the holidays including a visit from Mrs. Claus (yes, Di) and a dinner on Christmas Day at the house...

A few quotes from a book recommended by Debbie (Shantaram).     

"Civilization is defined by what we forbid more than what we permit".  

"It's forgiveness that makes us what we are.  Without forgiveness, our species would've annihilated itself in endless retributions.  Without forgiveness there would be no history.  Without that hope, there would be no art, for every work of art is in some way an act of forgiveness.  without that dream there would be no love, for every act of love is in some way a promise to forgive.  We live on because we can love, and we can love because we can forgive."