Lee’s brother, Paul, called yesterday to invite me to share Thanksgiving with him, Joanne, one of their grown boys, Andy, and Andy’s brood. He brought me up to date on Joe’s successful, recently completed Fall tour with his current musical group, the oddly named “Olllam.” Joe is Paul and Joanne’s other grown son.
According to Paul, the tour’s highlight was the band’s headline appearance at the Troubadour in L.A. He said they immediately received a cool reception from laconic and too-cool-for-school venue employees. However, by the time the evening had ended, even some “important people” were talking excitedly about the band’s next tour. Not to get ahead of ourselves, but I reminded Paul that the Troubadour was the same venue where Elton John created a sensation during his first tour in America. Well, good luck to Joe and the boys!
***
I appreciated his invitation, but this year I’m going to enjoy Thanksgiving with Robyn and several of her kids and grandkids. Between the extra time and effort that she puts into her daily job, down to the smallest detail of today’s holiday meal, my Robyn is indefatigable. I marvel at her energy.
Come Saturday, we are going to the West Indies for about a week on credit card points. (If you can’t catch me here next Thursday, this is the reason. But I’ll be back!) Then, at least for a few days, it’s time to slow down, baby.
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I heard from my nephew Kevin, who predictably is late organizing a December birthday celebration for his daughter. I have dwindling available openings in December; already, the holidays and weekends are booked.
There is Boys’ Night Out with Steve and Eric, as Steve prepares to depart mid-month with his wife on their annual winter journey to Asia, and the law firm’s annual holiday party at the yacht club on the lake. Lola the Pup and I are invited to dinner at Michael and Hanan’s place. I’m certain Michael plans to bake holiday cookies for Lola.
Just before Christmas, Cousin Judy arrives here from California. She is going to stay with me. Meanwhile, her nephew Kory, who lives in Paris, will be coming here at the same time. I don’t know whether Kory will be traveling with his family. I do know that Judy is already recruiting me (and Robyn) to attend several family gatherings, including Christmas with her relatives in Indiana. I told Judy I had to pick my spots; however, between you and me, Indiana probably is a non-starter.
Robyn and I have holiday plans, too, which include a couple of fine dinners at places where I had to get reservations far in advance.
And I will still need a date to celebrate Kevin’s daughter. She’s a nice kid, suddenly a teenager, and the older she gets, the more I like her.
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Even if I make it seem like a bit of a hassle, the truth is, this is a season when I am grateful to have people who include me in their thoughts and lives. The truth is, I am thankful for the small things. Small things are important when we share them with others.
Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!
