Turpumpkey nation

TG found me a pumpkin.

It may have been the last pumpkin for sale on the Eastern Seaboard.

I admit when I saw it, I was chagrined.

I needed a big one, I said. Only a big one will do.

But I was wrong. This pumpkin is just big enough.

Proving once again: It's all right to be little bitty.

Especially if you know how to make up in attitude what you lack in physical heft.

And that is all for now except to join the turpumpkey in wishing you and yours a:

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Happy Thanksgiving

It's about turkey time

The thing about living in the Deep South is, it has a tendency to stay hot until Thanksgiving.

At least.

Oh we'll get the relief of a cool day here and there, but they're rare. You might say they're hotly anticipated.

(We white girls enjoy the prospect of trading a tank top for a turtleneck, if even only for a few hours in the morning.)

For this reason, putting pumpkins as decorations out on the stoop during October is problematic on account of, they quickly spoil.

I don't do jack-o-lanterns anyway, on account of I hate Halloween.

(I do all things cemetery year-round so don't bring that up.)

Anyway see the wooden decoration things at the top of this post? I've had those for time out of mind.

However, because of circumstances beyond my control (as in, they were chilling in an unmarked box in the garage, until Andrew recently helped TG clean out said garage), I hadn't seen these cute kitschy little thangs in a decade.

Maybe longer. I forget.

So we found them in early October, but I set them aside because like I already mentioned, it would be fruitless to expect a pumpkin to hold up in this weather.

Plus which, turkeyish themes aren't technically timely until November first; am I right?

And then I forgot again.

Oh! I thought yesterday. Maybe it's time to get a pumpkin now and stick those decorations into it and make it into a turpumpkey in time for the grandkids' visit for Thanksgiving.

But then I didn't go to the store. I could have asked TG to go to the store but I forgot.

Andrew is coming home this evening; I feel sure he'll carry me to the store to purchase a pumpkin.

I hope a few have survived the hot weather and are in fact on sale in some local retail establishment.

When I succeed, I'll put it all together -- no, really, shucks, it's no trouble -- and share a tricked-out pumpkin photo.

Meanwhile, pilgrim, have a fun week putting finishing touches on your holiday preparations.

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Happy Thanksgiving Week

With gratitude profound

Two months ago today, on Nine Eleven, my son was flying over hostile territory in the Middle East.

In his job as Boom Operator, on that day he refueled numbers of fighter jets whose crews were engaged in combat with the enemies of freedom.

The same thing is happening now, as we go about our various routines on this beautiful Veterans Day.

That's because the protectors of our liberties don't have the luxury of sleep or play.

Many of them function full-tilt in conditions that would make the rest of us sit down in the dirt and cry. They face mortal danger and do not retreat.

Nevertheless, on that day -- September 11, 2015 -- my son remembered to do something for his parents.

And I find what he did to be moving and meaningful, all the more because it's something I never expected.

He took the time and made the effort and spent the money to buy an American flag for us, and to fly it with him in the plane.

It's something they do and I'm sure I'd heard of it before, but when he presented his father and me with our flag, I was overwhelmed.

It is a fine, durable banner that we will enjoy for years. And it came with a special paper.

The Certificate of Authenticity reads:

This Flag was flown for

Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Weber

The 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron flew this American flag on a KC-135R combat aerial refueling mission over hostile territory in support of Operation Inherent Resolve on 11 September 2015. This Flag represents the United States' dedication to the fight against terrorism and the vindication of thousands of people who perished in terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on 11 September 2001. Let all who look upon this flag be reminded of the military men and women who maintain a steadfast devotion to protecting the freedoms that it represents.

"We will not tire; we will not falter; we will not fail; Peace and Freedom will Prevail" -- President George W. Bush, Sept, 2001

Our certificate was signed by Todd Bergeson, Lt Col, USAF, Aircraft Commander; Jason Harper, Capt, USAF, Co-Pilot; and Andrew Weber, SSgt, USAF, Boom Operator.

I meant to show you this when I wrote about Andrew's return home from his tour of duty a few weeks ago. And then I actually forgot.

When I remembered we would soon as a nation observe Veterans Day, I decided to save it.

And that is all for now except to say, if you walk free on the earth today, take a moment to thank a veteran.

God bless America and confound her enemies both foreign and domestic. Especially domestic.

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Happy Wednesday :: Happy Veterans Day

A prayer for bovine intervention

Alexis Salcow

So yes, I've been working on my Christmas list. By that I mean, the list I provide to others, telling them what I want for Christmas.

Of course Christmas is commercial. What did you think? Especially going into an election year.

Ha ha. Just kidding. In our family we exchange detailed Christmas lists so I'll get what I want so that each of us will be savvy as to what the others would like to see beneath the tree with their name affixed, on Christmas Day.

The Second Line Sirloins

You know. To make dreams come true: That's our goal.

Luciano Ungulato

While you may think us unduly materialistic, do not accuse us of jumping the gun. One must prepare for events that tend to come at you like a five-hundred-ton freight train.

Chris Angus

Most years, just to be funny -- or serious -- I include some pretty pricey stuff on my list. Items I know I probably won't get, but which in my mercenary little heart, I want anyway. And I'm not ashamed to say so. You have not because you ask not.

Along with those are listed several things generally considered inexpensive -- like, poetry books or new handkerchiefs -- and some right in the middle costwise, such as perfume and (nicer costume) jewelry. Perhaps a wee something in the fine leather goods (no pun intended) category.

Veal "The Hoof" Girth

When it comes to Christmas gift wishes, the more specific, the better. I urge the provision of links to facilitate online ordering. The way I figure it, information is power. You may spend more money than strictly intended, but don't waste the precious commodity that is time.

Sabrina Scissorchew

Speaking of information: Every year, no matter what makes my Christmas list, at the tippy-top -- even trumping whirled peas -- is the (so far) unattainable: JOHNNY DEPP'S CELL PHONE NUMBER.

Patsy Cud

If you can make that one happen, I'll be forever beholden. I only want to text him.

Fanny Taurina

Not necessarily at the top, but also perennially on my list, is the new Chick-fil-A wall calendar for the coming year.

Muddy Puddles

Mine hangs, not on a wall, but by a strong magnet on the front of my black refrigerator. 

Bessie Bones

The calendars are instant classics -- collectors' items, if you want to know the truth -- and this year's is especially brilliant.

See? Look. Pay special attention to March: my birth month. It's perfect for me. Also I laughed out loud at May.

Lil' Suede

If you still don't have a Chick-fil-A near you? I think that should be number one on your Christmas list.

The Jersey Moos

At any rate, here's a (somewhat early) wish that this Christmas, you get not only everything you ask for, but everything you've ever wanted.

Even Especially those things money can't buy.

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Happy Monday

I'd like to thank the little people

I called my grandchildren in North Carolina this morning, just to hear their voices.

Dagny is around daily but I mightily miss the Tarheel Three. My Appalachian Connection, as it were.

The little pumpkins'll be coming over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house for Thanksgiving.

We'll take wagonloads of pictures for the holiday season and you know I'll make you look at them share.

But Dagny at seventeen months (next week) is ambulatory at last and although these aren't pictures of that, they're pictures I took yesterday.

She's expanding her vocabulary as well. In addition to her adorably-cooed two-syllable greeting Hey, currently there are perfectly understandable versions of all gone and hello.

Plus what every baby repeats early and often: Uh-oh.

You can't tell in these shots but upon strolling into my studio, Dagny developed an instant aversion to the sparkly backdrop.

When not wailing, refusing to even look, she was wholly ambivalent.

Audrey helped by bribing the baby with wee morsels of cheese popcorn during the shoot.

Snacking makes me momentarily forget my fears too. You?

Meanwhile it continues warm and humid in South Carolina. Yes, in November.

Rainy too. If only the mosquitoes would die, is my primary prayer. Suckers are in overdrive, even showing up inside the house. Spoiling for a snack of their own.

Unacceptable.

As for Dagny Clare taking her first steps? Well. We all know what that means: Walking today, running tomorrow. Here is hoping she always runs toward us, and not away.

That goes for the other three too, and the ones who come along later.

In other news, I am one-third finished with my Christmas shopping.

Remember when brick-and-mortar retail establishments were packed to the rafters in the weeks leading up to Christmas? They're practically empty these years.

Why? Say it with me: Free Shipping. That there is where the smart money's at, y'all. Let your fingers do the walking and your passwords do the talking.

Leaving more time for what really matters.

And that concludes our chat for now, on a rainy Friday less than three weeks from Thanksgiving.

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Happy Weekend