“You seem more your ‘Technicolor’ self lately.” says Jedi Jasmin.
And it’s true, for which I’m thankful.
It’s also true that now I must begin digging out of a Pit of Many Messes created by Not Coping for six months. It’s nearly as daunting as the flat wasteland I have, until recently, inhabited. Physical and psychic piles of undone things which seem so menacing they might eat me alive. I have no idea how to solve some them, adding embarrassment and bewilderment to the Mess, which will eventually require awkward, purple-faced conversations with people I will, ultimately, grossly disappoint.
In the meantime, I am also thankful for many things, even in the midst of the morass and funk (btw, excellent band name)...
1. GingerMan
2. Food, House, Cars, Essentials
3. Family Dinners and Holidays
4. Dessert
5. Coffee
6. Parents and Friends
7. Knitting
8. Bed
9. Technology, Movies and Music
10. Health and Insurance
11. Our rockin’ Hair Guy, Eric Ringo
Never in exactly that order at all times, but as needs arise. GingerMan is always at the top.
l love my family: My Parents; Our closest friends with whom we share Family Dinner and Games Night; My Knitting family (who saved my ever-lovin’ mind when we all met five years ago); and our hair dood, Eric--that rare creature, a rad stylist and one of the most open-hearted, optimistic, warm, compassionate people I’ve known.
I’m thankful for nights out at fab restaurants, dessert any time I want BECAUSE I’M A GROWN-UP, and COFFEE COFFEE COFFEE COFFEE COFFEE COFFEE.
I’m thankful for technology that keeps us connected with family back in Northern Ireland. And friends in England, Portland, Philadelphia, Southern California, sometimes Thailand, really anywhere. As Louis C.K. says, it’s a frikkin’ miracle and you’re holding it right there in your hand. Also good for communicating with moms trapped under sleeping toddlers. A frikkin’ miracle.
I’m thankful for my Tempurpedic bed and pillow. And my Prius which gets about 44MPG. I’m thankful we have things that work and we don’t have to worry so much about stuff. Or Stuff. (See also: Clean Water and Toilet Paper--Section Heading: Major Anxieties.)
I am so, so thankful that despite this year’s minor debacle, aside from some dental work , we are completely healthy, and every day we have that I am grateful for. I am thankful for great health, dental and vision insurance, and our truly awesome team of doctors who have cared for us for most of the last 12 years.
I am grateful for Holiday Dinners and Knitting Days. For Music and Movies and Fun. For every single thing I’m able to snatch back from the grasping darkness--to laugh and feel Technicolor again.
If you are reading this, I am thankful you have come on this journey--here’s our Thanksgiving Menu so you can Nom-Along! Please chime in to share YOUR menu’s favorites!
Main: Barbecued Beef Short Ribs and Pork Baby Back Ribs
Sides: Rachel Ray’s Bourbon-Pecan Smashed Sweet Potatoes (go Google them suckahs, they will change your life)
America’s Test Kitchen Barbecue Baked Beans
Gigi’s Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Mom’s Green Beans
Corn Bread
Colleen’s Pasta Salad
Dessert: Pie, Pie, Pie. Mine will be the Cooking Light Pecan Date Pie, which I also just discovered can be found on Teh Interwebs. I know, Dates. Buy whole pitted, chop them up tiny, and they melt right in. HOWEVER: Use real crust. It is Fab. U. Lush. I make it every year, it kills me every time, and I prefer it to regular pecan pie.
If you happen to show up round the end of the evening, feel free to bring a sweetie of some sort or you will be denied admission unless I reeeaaaallllly love you.
But I love you all, in all our Technicolor glory.
Happy Thanksgiving!
