For the hospitality, generosity and warm embrace of family and friends, for the sacrifices of all those who serve to keep us free and safe and supplied with abundance, for countless opportunities and those that have trusted me with them, for a lucky soft landing on my feet and a warm welcome in a friendly new place, for magnanimous colleagues that made it possible, for balmy days in December, for hardworking, bright and creative people all around me in my work, for a challenging and rewarding career,

For my belly full of outrageously delicious food, for my warm bed, for the affection that’s lavished by all my favorite dogs and cats, for brilliant sun, green leaves, clear skies and clean water, fun and fascination, for exhilaration and exquisiteness, for technology and art, for peace, however fragile, in my corner of the world, for the dumb luck to be born in the best place and time in human history, for a wonderful education and so many fine teachers, for a secure and serene home, for great health (a daily reprieve), for each bit of fairness and kindness and forgiveness and grace,

For my mother and my parents’ mothers and fathers and all the ancestors and forefathers and leaders and servants and visionaries and explorers and soldiers and workers and everyone that has, with their love and toil and persistence and principles and courage, laid it all on the line to make this miraculously ordinary moment possible, for you in my life – Gratitude.

Thanks for a truly blessed year.  Keep in touch, and take care.

decorations

Originally uploaded by Lizard666

Proof that others are much more into Halloween than I am.

In my defense, I updated my Twitter icon with a Halloween theme. Does that count?

California towhee

Originally uploaded by sfsusan

I have no idea what kind of bird a California towhee is, but I really like this photo. Posted by my former boss and current retiree, Susan, it’s a nice shot with wonderful color context.

Wish I had photos like this.

Recently, I attended an event at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston with a friend. I always enjoy these because it gives me an excuse to go to the museum & normally involves drinks and running into people I know.At the door there was a set of metal sculptures (see photo).

These are part of the new Asian contemporary art exhibit at MFAH. My friend said it was going to give her nightmares. I thought they were fascinating.

All kidding aside, congratulations go to my friend Chica Chic on what she calls “The Last Episode.”

Read her post. It’s interesting to see how much we’re stripping away from kids, without so much as a second thought.

• a really nice surprise lunch by my colleagues and friends at work
• key lime pie and bayou goo pie from The House of Pies
• a pretty crystal vase in the shape of a floppy hat (with a flower on it)
• some great aromatherapy stuff that’s supposed to relax me, give me better skin, help with pedicures, and keep me moisturized (different bottles, from different peple)
• some toys for my computer — including a great synching USB flash drive I’m trying to cutomize and use to keep my life on
• a digital camera — this was the only item on my “i want this” list
• a lemon cake with cream cheese frosting
• a barbecue of hamburgers and hotdogs, as well as fajitas and short ribs, with my family
• lots of other lunches and dinners and coffees over a five-day period
• some rest

All in all, it was a very good birthday. Happy 35th birthday to me!

As a non-practicing Catholic I understand where she comes from. My family isn’t really… devout. We have beliefs. We occasionally go to Mass. And we call ourselves Catholic. But we aren’t strict in our observance of the religion. And it’s mostly habit.

I admire her her candidness in talking about what concerns her about the way her beliefs are going to impact her child’s life. Interesting (says the non-mother).

I’ll be looking for more on the topic.