Tuesday, November 20, 2007

A Day To Be Thankful For

 

Its been a few days since I last posted. I'm remiss in my duties to do so. I'm also way off schedule to complete my National Writing Month entry. At this time I may not be able to complete on time, which is a shame, but its gotten me off to a wonderful start on an intriguing action novel just the same.

 

A confluence of events has brought me to this post.

First, it's the season of giving and being thankful. I'm struck by the events of the last few weeks that have really started me off in the Holiday spirit. We had a wonderful time with our friends from the traveling Cirque enthusiasts club. A great meal and some heartening stories were had over dinner. And then a spectacular show, Wintuk. We were blessed to have some great friends with us and also our FAV's. It made the evening special to have them with us to share enjoyment.

 

Second, we had a nice evening last week being part of the opening week of Young Frankenstein on Broadway. The dinner at Tony's DiNapoli was, as always, extraordinary. I especially appreciated the wait staff who doted over us. We were entertained by our waiters singing prowess and always cheerful attitude. The meal I can not fault and only recommend. They make a great Fettuccini Alfredo, Veal Chop with mushroom and Cognac sauce and a broiled chicken with mozz, prescuitto and white wine is simple succulent. Then we headed off to the show. The theater is great. Very comfortable seating. Doesn't appear top be a bad seat in the house. Plenty of leg room. While the show is not a direct adaptation of the screenplay, it does go to lengths to try and keep is loosely tied to the flick. Plenty of zingers are included which keep things rolling along, like the name of the ship the young Dr Frankenstein takes from America, "HMS Queen Murray." Its worth a second visit. I was surprised though to find Sutton Foster is such an ancillary supporting role. As I stated to Wifey, they build entire shows around this wonderful talent and to see her in this supporting role is quite strange. She does a bang up job (and I've never seen her portray a bimbette in any other feature) and definatly plays an integral part.

 

Finally on to the main reason for this post. Family. This year we again host Thanksgiving celebrations at our home. I say home for specific purposes, because its now a home, where before it was a house. Houses refer more to places where you store your things and they keep the rain off your heads and relatively warm in the winter. Homes are the places where you hang your hat, memories are made, enjoyed, celebrated and lovingly harkened back over a glass of wine in front of a fire, where sentences start off with 'remember that time...'

Thanksgiving has always been a big day for me. Its always started with watching the Parade on NBC (As much as I hate the interactive scripted coverage, I do enjoy the gala of floats and the marching bands. I know its Thanksgiving Day when Santa arrives at Macy's. Just one of those things for me.

Thanksgiving day is also about celebrating family. I enjoy hosting the day at my house, even with all the home cooking I do and the struggle we go through to clean, prep and then pickup after the party, its just nice. We have the great big dining room table that's been well used and signed during almost every event. Just another one to add to the collection. I'm thoroughly enthusiastic about seeing our family from Rochester. My heart has always been with Tom and Robin, then there's Platy, and this time, good gracious, I get to see Kate and Lucas again. I think when I stop during the meal and take in the sight of everyone being around I'm going to blubber in tears, I love these people so very much. Compatriots in crime, fund and subversivness. Then as always there's my direct family, Mom and Dad will be there. I always strive to blow them away with our celebrations and have always seemed to achieve it. I will though desperatly miss my sister, her husband and the 4 FAV's, let alone my brother and his family. I yearn to have one masterful celebration on Christmas or Thanksgiving one year where we're all sitting at the table enjoying life and the fun of the days. My life at that time will truly have been completed.

 

In any event, to all my friends and family who read this and also the strangers who I have not met or seen, celebrate this Thursday as you've never done before. Speak with your family, near and far, say hi or send good wishes to your friends. Most of all, be thankful within yourself for all life has brought you, both good and bad, because these experiences have made you realize what giving and receiving is all about. See one smile, see one act of kindness, hear one loving statement or offer one to another. In the end, we're all part of a great connected world. The Zen part of me knows that what air I breath in has been breathed out by my neighbor, each of us entwined in the other. The breath I breathe out I just hope is one after I have brushed my teeth.

 

I love and care for you all. Have a great and wonderous day.    

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