Thanksgiving 2007

menu for those who are left behind or who prefer to travel when everyone else isn't... (for the 6 of us...)

one and half roasted chickens
a turkey breast
spinach salad
gingered candied yams
holiday bread
marencho cheese
cranberry sauce
gravy
bread pudding
pecan pie
several bottles of Protocolo!

a complete improvisation...
and another blessing to be counted. The only thing that would make it better would be to have my parents here with us. It is am ambitious drive for youngsters and a bit much for each of us. I miss them.

Mr. dd's parents will be here but we'll miss seeing his niece. We have two friends who have endured divorces from their spouses during the time we've known them - they'll both be here since their children will be with the other branch of their family. I hope it will be fun.

Another Sad but True

Flipping through the digital divide recently I was struck by the aging cheerfulness of Richard Simmons mug on FOX FRIGGIN NEWS. I had to back track on the clicker to confirm it was the real deal with the same hair and sequine encrusted red wife beater he's been wearing for more years than anyone wants to count. Click here to see him wearing it for a publicity still.

Fox News? If there is a place for Richard Simmons on Fox News I suppose there is place for everyone anywhere. Someone please tell him to do something about his hair and wardrobe. Fitness is a good thing. Disco aerobics were scarey then and they are even scarier to see on the morning show, LIVE in 2007.

Travel Tip

My friend who told me the story below has a thing for Dr. Pepper. It's practically all she drinks. I won't get into the health ramifications of consuming too many soft drinks in this post but I will warn all of you who have such product addictions to research their availability before you pay great sums of money for a vacation.

She and her partner recently went on a deluxe cruise to the Bahamas. She had no Dr. Pepper for three days! The deluxe liner offered everything else - but no Dr. She was forced to drink tea for the duration of the cruise. Wine would have been my second choice but, hey, we all have our vices.

They arrived in the Bahamas where she spent the entire vacation in constant search of Dr. Pepper. Nada. She was miserable. She tried to enjoy her vacation but she had paid great sums of money and was forced to endure product withdrawal.

It's always good to know what to expect. I guess she could have rationed out a few liters of DP over the length of her vacation if she had known in advance and was able to bring some with her. I do that with Spiracha Hot Sauce.

When I will be overseas for several months I take several bottles with me. The sell a Spiracha sauce in Paris but its not the same. Its sweet. Yuck.

A little research goes a long way when one NEEDS a few of the essential comforts of home to enjoy one's time away.