Wow - Thanksgiving for 15, done! Plus one after-dinner guest of someone i really wanted to see. 8)

What a lovely evening - my table and home full of wonderful people. And they're all fed now. And I'm leaving the dishes for morning! (That's traditional, right?)

Big props to my sous chefs, Russell & Heather, and to my pie/icebox cake crew: Naomi, Heather, the Leckmans, and Patrick.

(There's a LOT of pie here. A damn lot of pie. Anyone want to come have pie and coffee and help me wash wine glasses in the morning?)

Yesterday, we got the heater fixed.

This morning, i find that Goblin is convinced that there are monsters in the walls, spewing noise and hot air. (Demons, most likely. And she's trying and trying to warn her stupid humans, but they just keep trying to placate her. Why won't the understand?)

Not quite as en place as i'd like, but i've roasted and peeled the chestnuts, made the stock and the soup, the tofu spread and the red pepper and artichoke spread, cooked up some cranberry sauce, roasted the garlic, and set the turkey into brine. The shopping's done, the placemarkers are lettered and drying, and the extra folding furniture is purchased. Russell got the heater fixed today, as well.

I don't have enough white napkins to go around, but i'll get creative in the morning, i'm sure. Cleaning and prep and more prep and cooking, oh my - and then, then - warmth and friends and food and drink and talk. All will be well at the wabe tomorrow evening.

The sunrise was just gorgeous this morning. Getting up early really sucks, but sometimes i'm rewarded with some amazing sky.

The glasses are all washed, the house is coming back together. I'm tired, but fabulously so.

Details to come, on gastronome. (with photos!)

life in the circus ain't easy
but the folks on the outside don't know
the tent goes up and the tent comes down
and all that they see is the show
and the ladies on the horses look so pretty
and the lions are lookin real mad
and some of the clowns are happy
and some of the clowns are sad

but underneath
there's another expression
that the makeup isn't making
life under the big top

it's about freedom
it's about faking
there's an art to the laughter
there's a science
and there's a lot of love and compliance

welcome to the freakshow
here we go...

we live to hear the slak-jawed gasping
we live under a halo of held breath
and when the children raise up a giant shield
of laughter, it's like they're fending off death
and we can make something bigger
than any one of us alone
and then the clowns will take off their makeup
and the people will go home

but life on the outside ain't easy
no sequins, no elephants
no parading around
oh the circus comes
and the circus goes
and they're stuck in this fucking town

you need a lot of love and compliance

welcome to the freakshow
here we go

--ani difranco

I'm so angry, i can barely speak.
But i salute the Honorable Mr. Kopf.
And i finally joined the ACLU.

Goddamnit.

Seen while stuck in traffic on the way to work today:
I wasn't using my civil liberties, anyway.

Ahora es el dia de los muertos.

Lorraine, Bob, Sylvain, Betty, Auntie Wee, Ruby - i'm remembering you tonight. Welcome. I miss you. I celebrate your lives - and all you gave to the world. Have a snack & a drink on me, tonight. 8)

My father-in-law, Bob Bornschlegel. Who lovingly woodworked all the cabinetry in his home, faithfully read technical books for "Reading for the Blind", raised a magnificent family who i dearly love, and whose art projects from Art Center now proudly hang in my living room. I have vodka, cheese & crackers out for you tonight, Bob.

My grandmother-in-spirit, Lorraine Raison. Who was everything a girl could hope for in a next-door grandmother. In 7th grade, i wrote an essay for an AAUW competition on heroines about you, in all seriousness. You outranked your (very traditional husband), were gentler than anyone i knew, and wise. You are one of the women who shaped who i am today, strongly. There's chocolate & white wine for you tonight on my mantle.

My great aunt Marie - or Auntie Wee, as i knew her. The fiestiest, tiniest Italian woman with a passion for nickle slots, mystery novels, and independance. You taught me to swear in Italian, to pray to ALL the gods, and to always, always, be my own woman. Your holiday gifts were most treasured for many years. I will always remember you showing me your jade buddha, who's belly you gave the diamond from your wedding ring after you dropped the git. Tonight feast on my cookies and chocolate and coffee, Auntie Wee.

My friend, Sylvain. You died too young, unfairly. You were two years older than me, and you died when you were two years younger than i am now. I will never forget sitting vigil for you, remembering your smile. You were a great engineer, a great partner to anne, and a friend i was getting to know better and better. I will always remember a few key stories about you, me, and wine. I have wine, JD, and mushrooms out for you this evening, my friend.

My friend, Betty. Again, too young. Lover of bats, of dead things, of Hugs & Robert. Artist spectacular. A dry & sarcastic wit that could always make me smile, no matter what. I remember the day Russell took me to meet you and Robert - you were the first good friends of his he introduced me to. He and Robert descended into a private geekdom immediately, with no room for another. You took me under wing, showed me Young Frankenstein, and made me immediately comfortable. I have chocolate, cookies, and RICE-ling (Bonny Doon's) here to welcome you tonight.

Grandma Ruby, i only knew you late in life - you were clearly an amazing matriarch. You played 42 with grace and skill until the end. You sat with my Grandma and Aunt Sis through our wedding, and smiled. Oh, your smile - i see it in your children, i do. I made some iced tea with lemon for you tonight - and there are cookies and an apple, and all manner of other treats for you to share this evening.

My Grandpa Freddie - you're up here too. I wish i had had a chance to meet you, and you me. I think you'd be proud of my mom.