Giving Thanks

Today is a messy, cold Texas autumn day ... a few hours ago, the temperature was a balmy 65 degrees, but it's fallen about 20 degress since I got up. Thank you, Mother Nature, for giving us such interesting weather. The Macy's Day Parade in NYC has nice (if coldish) weather. Ah, well. Thanks to my students, I have a nasty cold. Plus, later today I get to see and give thanks with a bunch of people with whom I normally would not wish to associate. (You can't choose your family the way you can choose your friends ...) Still, they are family -- and I am glad that they're still around to share another holiday season with us.

It could be worse ... Last year, Jon's mother-in-law was directing her daughter on how to cook Thanksgiving dinner. Within a month, she was dead ... In the last 2 weeks, three people whom I know directly or indirectly have passed away: 1 from heart failure, 1 from leukemia, and 1 in a car wreck (with her daughter). Prayers to their families who mourn their loved ones ... I'm thankful that most of the family is with us ... Drive safely, everyone, and watch out for the other drivers! You never know who's been indulging before she or he gets behind the wheel.

In the picture, Joy and I hold two of our BJDs -- P'asht, the 60cm OOAK Obitsu cat-girl that Joy designed, and Matthias, one of her AOD vampire elves. These two dolls have travelled all over Texas -- P'asht has gone to California several times. The occasion? A modern doll convention -- next weekend, I believe the Barbie brigade will come to the Metroplex. I don't know whether we have a local Barbie collectors group; however, it's fun to see how other people have worked over Mattel's flagship doll. We'll have to squeeze it in after the ballet performance on Saturday; the company will perform a program at St. Bernard's church bazaar. Thanks, Joy, for putting up with my evil attitude (I'm a teacher -- it happens!) and obsessions with books, dolls and sparkly baubles and beads.

Speaking of friends, here's a shout out to my long distance friends who go back -- well, over the decades. I shan't say how many decades, but we went to junior high and high school together. Nancy, Helen and Spencer -- the miles may separate us, but the 'Net keeps us posted on what's going on. Karyl, who performed with me at the Dallas Theatre Center, and daughter Cheryl -- cross-country -- and cross-oceanic -- good wishes for the rest of 2010 and 2011. Many thanks for all our local friends whom we met through the Gallifrey Connection, as well as online friends who like BJDs and school associates who make life at SHS bearable as we whip students into shape for TAKS and STAAR and whatever other tests the great state of Texas throws our way.

The people at church ... all 12-15 (maybe more, depending on which family members are in town) who worship with me. You say I have a voice ... well, it's just that I know the tunes and can belt them out. (But with this cold, who knows how it'll sound on Sunday!) Oh, well, somewhere it says that when you sing you praise God twice ... and I'm sure, like any indulgent parent, God adjusts the notes so they harmonize.

The ballet company and students at the studio -- thanks for giving me a chance to dance and participate in performances once more. More costumes -- and another show! -- for 2011. Now if I could just get my feet and arms to cooperate, the dance would go much smoother ... well, there's always next year.

Let;s not forget the "fairemily" that we see each March and April. You folks make those months a magical, wonderful time ... hopefully the economy will be a bit kinder to everyone in 2011. A special tip of the hat to a departed Faire friend, James Harlan. He made the "gate side" a welcoming place for patrons and merchants alike. I am thankful to have known him ... his memory lives on at Four Winds Faire.

And then there are the pets who abide with us -- cats, birds, and dog ... St. Francis knows that they give us more than we give them ... so, I'm thankful they are with us another year ... and we have a "poofed-out" pussycat (AKA pregant), so who knows what's in store within the month.

All in all --

Thanks to all and sundry during this holiday season.

Dance quote: If you can't get rid of the skeleton in your closet, you'd best teach it to dance.
- George Bernard Shaw