Diamonds For Women

[dodgerblue6]

Found this picture recently of me on Thanksgiving, 1990:



It reminded me of many things I have to be thankful for.

Now, I get two full days off work for the first time in 2 1/2 months! Woohoo! That's something to really celebrate.

Hope everyone here has a great day.
_________________
"The Dodgers have always occupied an enormous place in the history of the game. If the Yankees are the most successful team in baseball history, the Dodgers are the most essential. Their legacy is unique."

-Baseball Hall of Fame

[stlred]

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I meant to post yesterday but I had a house full of people. I also have much to be thankful for. Thanks for posting Linda.

[dodgerblue6]

Yo no quiero Viernes negro! (That is, not in the malls!)

What a wonderful two days off work I enjoyed! I mentioned before I have not had more than a day and a half off consecutively since mid-September so this was a luxury to me. Yesterday was a day of pure relaxation, but I thought I'd share what a wonderful experience I had on the holiday.

We've had a pretty dry year out here, and even November has been pretty warm by local standards, so when three nights this week it had rained overnight and into the early morning, it was much needed. Thanksgiving Day dawned drizzly and, depending on where you were in the area, showers continued through mid-morning. I stopped by my friend Len's house early--he being the mutual friend of NurseCozmo and mine, from Triple Crown--before our family departed for Orange County, where we celebrated the holiday at my uncle's home.

Tim and Jen's house, which is just about two years old, is in a quiet new subdivision in Tustin. By the time we arrived there, the sun had broken through the clouds and was drying up any moisture left behind by the rain. The air was refreshingly crisp and clear, leaving SoCal sparkling under blue skies. And there was a fresh layer of powder dusting the mountains in the distance, which had received their first snowfall since last spring.

There were already about 10 guests there, none of whom were related to me, but all from my uncle's wife's side of the family. Some I had met at a previous Thanksgiving dinner several years ago; for others, it was my first time becoming acquainted. We quickly learned many of us had one thing in common. Dodger fans! Most of them were from Moorpark, north of L.A., and while talking to them, I learned that two of Jen's nephews had played a lot of baseball in the area. Their dad shared a wonderful story about how they were long-time friends with Jay Gibbons, outfielder formerly with the Orioles (2001-2007), whom they'd played with on area teams as kids. Years later, Gibbons invited their nine-year old grandson to a game in Baltimore when the Red Sox were in town, and the kid had the time of his life hanging out in the dugout before the game, meeting both Orioles and Red Sox players. There is even a Cardinals connection--their kids are also friends with St. Louis reliever Tyler Johnson, who's from Moorpark too. We talked a lot about the Dodgers' amazing 50th anniversary year, as well. They showed me photos on their camera of the postseason rally which took place before the Cubs playoff series started. As mini-season ticket holders, they've already gotten their WBC tickets and are planning a big party for that. While waiting as the final preparations were being made before serving dinner, we talked about Manny, Scott Boras, Rafael Furcal, and what options the Dodgers may have to improve the team this offseason.

So, it was wonderful having this diversion on a day one usually associates with football.

Finally, dinner was ready and we all enjoyed grilled turkey (AWESOME!--I highly recommend it if you have never had the pleasure!). And if nobody here has had spinach and persimmon salad, I would rave about it too the rest of the day. I also had olallieberry pie for the first time ever. It was absolutely delicious!

We ate dinner inside the formal dining room, but later in the afternoon some of us gathered outside on the patio, as it was just too nice not to go outdoors, for drinks, dessert and conversation. We all shared stories about our travels to Long Melford this summer with those who were not on the trip. We ended the day back inside, with a toast around the room with Wilson Creekalmond champagne from Temecula. We also honored the memory of my grandmother, who died eight years ago this week (the day after Thanksgiving, 2000). Bless her soul! She was a strong and wonderful example for us all, demonstrating compassion and grace throughout her life. She instilled in us many reasons to be thankful.

We were all sent home with fresh lemons and limes from their yard. Following a brilliant and colorful sunset, our branch of the family enjoyed a smooth drive back to Diego, and it was still pleasant enough for me to take a stroll around the neighborhood under a twinkling sky on a slightly chilly evening to walk off some of that meal!

My two uncles will head off in a few days for their annual trip to Las Vegas, which this year is site of the Winter Meetings (which begin a week from Monday). We told them to keep their ears open and report back anything before it hits the wires!

In summary, what an absolutely lovely day it was, in so many ways. Great company, new friendships, wonderful hosts and a great environment in which to give thanks.

Oh, and did I mention that tasty dinner?

Now, it's back to working for a few hours today, and then I plunge pell-mell back into logging as many hours as I can through the end of the year, while trying to coordinate several volunteer service projects for the holiday season. I probably won't get much sleep over the next month if I continue at the pace I've been working at, and doing what I can in between to fulfill the events I'm already committed to. Hopefully I can squeeze a party or two in here and there.

But in the end, it will hopefully all be worth it.
_________________
"The Dodgers have always occupied an enormous place in the history of the game. If the Yankees are the most successful team in baseball history, the Dodgers are the most essential. Their legacy is unique."

-Baseball Hall of Fame

[stlred]

We had a great Thanksgiving too. Everything I cooked came out great and my turkey was the best it has ever been. Only problem is I don't know what I did different.lol As weather goes it was 56 degrees which by STL standard at the end of November that is awesome. I also had some baseball talk around the dinner table this year which was a shock. I'm usually crazy Aunt Jan who loves the Cardinals. I couldn't believe when one of my nephews brought up some of our minor league players. Maybe he was inspired by my Cardinal Florida room.lol My only sadness was neither of my children could make Thanksgiving. Nicole who lives in OKC had to work and Justin couldn't find a ride home. At least I got to talk to both of them but it still wasn't the same. Hope everyone is having a great holiday.

[sunnyblue]

I was in O.C. too Linda. You are right, it sure was a pretty day, and we enjoyed some time outdoors, too. I can't believe what nice nights we have had all month long. Loved your description about how everything went, you sure have a way with words. I love grilled turkey and would enjoy some ollalaberry pie right about now! We used to hand pick berries all the time at my grandma's house when my brothers and I were small. She made the best pies out of whatever we would bring to her. Brings back a lot of memories.

By the way I always did like Jay Gibbons, that is an awesome thing he did for that little boy.

[stlred]

Seems like you always have a Cardinal connection.lol