Thanks a lot....

Tom Turkey

(January 2010-November 2010)

Brave Tom Turkey, a Red Heritage Turkey from Kookoolan farms, lived as freely as he died. He enjoyed bugs and wandering endlessly. Being a direct descendent of those Turkey's that the pilgrims gratefully lived for and with (not hybridized like Turkey's of today), he roosted in the tops of trees. Although disappointed that his race didn't win the battle for our great Country's bird (Bald Eagle indeed!), as our friend Benjamin Franklin suggested, he still lived each and everyday fulfilling all of his duties. He (and all turkey's) wasn't much to look at, but he filled all he knew with pride! Tom died and went on to the place all good turkey's go on November 19, 2010. He died as he had lived, peacefully, in the open air, with the most loving of farmers.

Tom Turkey cost me $25 and 20 bars of my soap. Worth every beautiful penny....

Now, with all that being said (and those who know my organic tendencies know how thrilled I am to say it), our Thanksgiving was something straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Hosted proudly and perfectly by the dearest, lovliest Miss Moss at her humble abode, Starlings. Yes, she names things too. Ahh a kindred spirit.

I love Thanksgiving! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! Because "it is all about the food and doesn't pretend to be about anything else!" The yams took the cake, I introduced cranberry salad to the unlearned (thank you Mary for the greatest recipe ever!), but the Turkey kinda rocked. 'Nuf said, lest I sound prideful.

The company of the Grell's and lovely Lavinia (and family) made for the most remarkable and wonderful Thanksgiving this side of the Blue Mountains.

Top it off with Warr wonderful Blueberry Pie and Moss Chocolate Pecan pie, and you rolled me home a happy woman.

I get really homesick sometimes. How grateful I am for so many things. For health, home, warmth, love, friendship, life. Mostly, this Thanksgiving for family away from family. Love you guys for so many reasons! But mostly for your warm and open hearts and kindnesses. You are a tender mercy in our lives!

Happy UnHalloween...

I think Oprah has coined the "Ah-hah moment" phrase. So using her noun, (someday I will come up with a noun ALL MY OWN!) I had my "AH-HAH" moment checking out of Ross the other day. It was the 6th store in a string of unsuccessful Find-a-costume trips. And then, standing there purchasing a 4.55 dress for Bella it hits me...

ME: (insert bright lightbulb here)"I DON'T like Halloween."

CLERK:"Huh?"

ME:"I said I don't like Halloween. It causes me great anxiety trying to dress myself up differently from my daily rig-a-ma-ru. It stresses me out! (I think there was a hand throwing up here) It brings insane amounts of candy that I am against and still eat. It causes depression when I realize that all my best costume options are already in my closet and I choose from there which is sad on so many more levels than I care to count. It's a dark holiday representing darkness and all dark things. And just try to find a woman's costume that does not in some way double as lingerie...I dare you."

CLERK:"Well....bah humbug."

ME:"Precisely."

CLERK:"Have a nice day."

ME: "I'll try."

This is a representation of a faithful narrative of an actual occurence. Any discrepencies are entirely Oprah's fault.

The poor clerk. I think by the end of my rant she was smiling. I hope she still works there, unafraid, unhindered by phobias of a stay-at-home mom's ramblings.

Hence, Harry was Batman/Lightning Mcqueen/ Buzz Lightyear/Dinosaur...depending on the mood and the PJ's wearing. He refused to put on the cutest Lightyear costume that I borrowed for the ward trunk or treat because it felt weird.

Bella was Snow White for lack of a better idea. Whatev!

I went as me and with the exception of the above photograph, neglected to capture any Halloweeny event. I know that there is some deep physchological stuff there that we can delve into...but let's not.