Happy Thanksgiving

It's a good one for us this year, although we're sad about missing my Dad, of course. But we are REALLY thankful that Rob has been employed for a FULL YEAR! Depression is in remission, and we are digging our way out of debt. Both girls are doing great in school. I'm grateful for the results of the last election. I think our life is going as well as it ever has for, oh, the last decade or so. And we are thankful for our family and circle of friends, and that includes you, dear friends on DW and LJ.

We're going over to my sister's Cindy's for Thanksgiving, although we will probably drop over at Rob's brother Lance's house, too. I wish you all safe travels and tasty dinners. May all your football teams win, may you win all your turkey trot races, and I hope that no dishes get dropped and broken and no family fights break out over the pumpkin pie.

This one's for Delia, my budding artist

There's a story in The Atlantic here that's very heartwarming that I want to draw to your attention. It's about a young man whose life was saved by art, and specifically, by the well-timed of compassionate adults, especially an author/illustrator who visited his classroom, looked at his drawing, and said, 'Nice cat.'

To all we are thankful for today, let us now add the blessing of art and the magic of the human imagination. Let us now be thankful for the expression of gratitude itself, by someone who has chosen to give back to his community after receiving so much from it. And let's be thankful for all those among us who refuse to allow their pasts or their presents to dictate their futures.

Below is a presentation given last month at Hampshire College by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, an author and illustrator of children's books. Take the time to watch it, especially with your children and grandchildren if you are lucky enough to have them close by. It's such a sweet story, such an American story, with such a profound lesson about the need to cultivate and defend the creativity in ourselves and in our nation's schools.

Read more at the link above.

You really can find everything on the web

˙uʍop ǝpısdn ʇxǝʇ ɹnoʎ ǝdʎʇ oʇ noʎ ʍollɐ llıʍ ʇɐɥʇ ǝʇıs ɐ ƃuıpnlɔuı.

Hat tip to hamsterwoman.