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After the Cleanup -- Happy Thanksgiving!
Saturday, December 1st, 2007 02:06 pmThey came. They saw. They ate.
Indeed there were 37 people at dinner, ages from a few months to more than 72 years old. There was music (at least three fiddlers, a classically-trained violinist who joined them for a set that was a delight, some guitars and other things), there was food -- my grandmother's sweet potatoes, modified and extended, and turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, ham, creamed onions, asparagus, and I don't remember what-all.
Only (!) 15 overnighters, at least at think that was the final count. We went through several dozen eggs and eight pounds of coffee during the week or so of maximum occupancy.
The gathering was a grand success!
... that is, I only wanted a divorce from one or another of my kids or spouse about once an hour; I only wished for a quiet day before the fire about twice; the kitchen stayed cleaned-up because of the active help of a cast of thousands; I got to do a little weaving, finally; the pool table got some exercise but no gouging; by the end of Thursday I knew almost all the names to go with the faces.
Yesterday I finished the last of the laundry -- sheets, towels, bathmats, dishtowels, napkins -- and so that end of the house is nearly back to normal.
Today we noticed the three or four things we meant to bring out during the festivities, and forgot. But nobody cares -- no drama, no regrets. We may even do this again in three or five years, who knows?
One brother came alone, driving all day to spend 36 hours here, then driving back. One brother came with spouse and more musical instruments in the car than people, and booked a tour all the way cross country just to get here -- they left a month early and were planning to be back home by about December 15. We had two ex-husbands in the gang, including the man I divorced in 1970. There were several opportunities for deep conversations about how to save the world -- the family includes representatives from many different political viewpoints, some diametrically opposed, so lots of food for debate. Several deep and personal conversations were had as well -- cleaning up some of the long-misremembered detritus of lives in disarray in the 1970s. A grand success.
Now the task is to shift gears completely, and fairly quickly. As soon as the house is back to normal, Beloved Spouse and I need to pack up the car and drive to Florida for the other half of our year -- Boats.
About that, more anon. Happy Holidays to you all.
Indeed there were 37 people at dinner, ages from a few months to more than 72 years old. There was music (at least three fiddlers, a classically-trained violinist who joined them for a set that was a delight, some guitars and other things), there was food -- my grandmother's sweet potatoes, modified and extended, and turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, ham, creamed onions, asparagus, and I don't remember what-all.
Only (!) 15 overnighters, at least at think that was the final count. We went through several dozen eggs and eight pounds of coffee during the week or so of maximum occupancy.
The gathering was a grand success!
... that is, I only wanted a divorce from one or another of my kids or spouse about once an hour; I only wished for a quiet day before the fire about twice; the kitchen stayed cleaned-up because of the active help of a cast of thousands; I got to do a little weaving, finally; the pool table got some exercise but no gouging; by the end of Thursday I knew almost all the names to go with the faces.
Yesterday I finished the last of the laundry -- sheets, towels, bathmats, dishtowels, napkins -- and so that end of the house is nearly back to normal.
Today we noticed the three or four things we meant to bring out during the festivities, and forgot. But nobody cares -- no drama, no regrets. We may even do this again in three or five years, who knows?
One brother came alone, driving all day to spend 36 hours here, then driving back. One brother came with spouse and more musical instruments in the car than people, and booked a tour all the way cross country just to get here -- they left a month early and were planning to be back home by about December 15. We had two ex-husbands in the gang, including the man I divorced in 1970. There were several opportunities for deep conversations about how to save the world -- the family includes representatives from many different political viewpoints, some diametrically opposed, so lots of food for debate. Several deep and personal conversations were had as well -- cleaning up some of the long-misremembered detritus of lives in disarray in the 1970s. A grand success.
Now the task is to shift gears completely, and fairly quickly. As soon as the house is back to normal, Beloved Spouse and I need to pack up the car and drive to Florida for the other half of our year -- Boats.
About that, more anon. Happy Holidays to you all.