We picked names at Thanksgiving for a gift exchange for the family. We always do this. When we met to open our presents, it was Ari’s turn to give his gift. He walked up to me. I said out loud, “I sure hope you made this.” Ari is a great cook and baker. I opened it, and it was caramel-filled brownies. He knows my two favorites are caramel and chocolate.

I am fortunate he got my name!

Isaac and Ari slept over for the first time in almost two years. I noticed they had brought their own toothbrushes and toothpaste. I have always had both here for them. I realized this had changed for them as they got older. I contemplated keeping the toothbrushes in the bathroom so I could have a cue to remember their overnights when they were younger. Then I chose to throw the toothbrushes out.

Attention to now and the future, not the past.

Isaac passed his driving test and got his license. I was so excited for him as I remembered the sense of freedom I felt when I got mine. Erik told me about Isaac during a phone call and said that at that moment, Isaac had gone for a long bike ride.

Classic Isaac.

It is raining today. It rained yesterday. It will be raining for three more days. We are in a drought. Rain is a very good thing. The rain was too intense for me to go for my morning mile walk.

Regretful.

I went to see the play Rent and the movie West Side Story on the same day. It served as a reminder of how some things fail to change with time. I have always chosen to remain more optimistic about people.

Disappointing.

Since I moved to California ten years ago, the whole family has come to my home for Thanksgiving. We did not do so last year because of the pandemic. And so, once again I am in my obsessive planning mode of when to get the turkey, the green beans, and the apple pies. Timing and storage are issues.

Costco had better have all three the Monday before the holiday.

My friends Robin and Scott live in Napa. We were getting together with other friends for dinner monthly until the pandemic. I went to Napa once for lunch and saw them. It had been too long for me. I spontaneously called and asked them to come for dinner. They did.

It was worth it.

I had not received my order for a month. I tried to file a dispute online. I was given a number to call. I did. I spoke to four people over the course of one hour. I was eventually told they were pursuing it and the woman read me the plan which took two minutes. It may go through without controversy.

Not convenient.

We have been experiencing a drought in California. We have had innumerable wildfires. Lots of property lost. Last weekend we had a plethora of rain. Great news? One would hope. The good news was water and snow. The bad news was mudslides, flooding, and closed roads.

Tough times.

I awakened during the night and heard it. It was raining. We so desperately need rain in California. I checked the weather and discovered there are four more days this week with the possibility of rain.

Much appreciated.