A Twist to the Traditional Thanksgiving Meal

by Maureen

I can't believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner already. It doesn't seem possible. The weather has been unseasonably warm so it makes Thanksgiving seem like it should be later then it is.

We are having a different Thanksgiving this year. It is going to be a very small gathering...5. Elaine, who is hosting it decided that we are not going to have turkey and the fixins. We are having steak, twice baked potatoes, vegetables and two desserts...monkey bread and pumpkin pie.

When I have relayed this to some people they are horrified. Blasphemous came out of one friend's mouth! It got me thinking (shut up, TINA!) about the day. Why is it wrong NOT to have turkey? Isn't being thankful for family, friends, health, peace of mind, life enough? Isn't being thankful for whatever food you are consuming enough? Isn't spending the time with the people you love, regardless of what you are eating enough? I think so.

What are your Thanksgiving plans? Are you staying with tradition? Do you or your family have a special thing you do for the holiday?

Whatever you do...

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Chances Are.....

Me @ 13

"Chances Are"
and
"Its Not For Me To Say"


by Johnny Mathis


chosen by Just_Lin

Her bedroom is dark and the window is wide open. The night air is finally cooling off after another hot summer day in Southern California. Lying there in the dark, the young girl feels the breeze come in through the window and slowly move over her skin like cool water, bringing refreshment and relief to her sunburned skin. She reaches over and lifts the arm of her portable record player and gently sets the needle down on the spinning LP. First there is the hiss of the needle against the vinyl as it whispers into the darkened room, then the first note fills the air. The girl recognizes the song immediately by just that one note and she will just as readily know every other song that follows just by hearing the very first note of each. She has played this record so many times, on so many similar nights, that she knows all the notes and all the words by heart. It is her favorite record for romantic dreaming.

She is thirteen years old in 1960 and Johnny Mathis sings in sweet and velvety tones of a love and romance that she has yet to experience but is anxiously awaiting. Her heart rides the waves of Johnny's beautiful voice and she imagines that love will be as wonderful as his songs promise it will be. She sways slightly, dreaming that she is dancing in the arms of a lover that she hasn't yet met........but there's always tomorrow. At thirteen, all things are possible.

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No Blog.........

Incredible Friends

by DeeDee

For my birthday, my "posse" rented a stretch Hummer and took me to Marks for dinner in Houston. It was great and then we went to a karaoke bar. Three of us have a little skit that we have done for years to the song "Who's Sorry Now".....I'd explain it, but you would really have to be there...lol. We had a fantastic evening and it was a good birthday.

My gift came as a total surprise...especially with this bunch.....because they are not the best at keeping secrets and they had been planning for months to take me to see Rufus Wainwright in concert in Austin. I discovered his music a couple of years ago and am a big fan. Only these friends could have pulled this off. It wasn't until on the drive home that Lisa took these tickets out of her bag and I said, "Whatcha got there honey?" She said, "Oh...tickets for some guy named Luther Wetwipe or something..." I snatched the tickets and said "That's RUFUS WAINWRIGHT!!!! HE IS INCREDIBLE!!! You know Elton John has called Rufus the best songwriter in the world.....OMG...I would love to see him."....and Lisa said, "well here..." and the others screamed Happy Birthday! I almost messed my pants....after all that food...and to be shocked that way....

The concert was Tuesday night. We all went. We sat second row center. It was wonderful. On top of everything else, Lisa had arranged for me to meet him backstage. THAT was also a surprise at the end of the show. WHAT A NIGHT!! I am so lucky to have had this group of friends for the last 30 years.

BTW....Lisa....my friend that made the night so special, is 53 years old and was diagnosed with third stage ovarian cancer in 2002. Doctors seem to feel that this may be her last year on earth....and she is so dedicated to making everything we do special........I love you, Lisa.....and thank you.......

Questions that make you think

by Shirley

My niece Katie is going to a bible college out in BC. She recently contacted me and asked if I would help with an assignment. She assured me no one was going to try to convert me from an atheist to a christian. Lol! I told her I would help. She sent me 7 questions saying that the assignment had to be 6-8 pages so I could make my answers as long as I wanted. As I read and thought about them I wondered what the Night Owls would think...so what do you think? I love hearing what you guys think about stuff. Sometimes the opinions vary and sometimes they are almost identical.

1. What do you believe about God?
2. What do you believe about the universe?
3. What do you believe about the nature of human beings?
4. What do you believe about life and death?
5. How do we get knowledge?
6. How do you determine right from wrong?
7. What is the meaning of history?

Beauty in Pictures

The other day here on the blog, we were chatting about beautiful areas in where we all live. Sedona was mentioned, as Zona said her and Mr. Zona go there often. I have heard of its beauty and sent many clients to Sedona on their way to the Grand Canyon. Sedona is about 2 hours from Phoenix and 2 hours from Grand Canyon, so its a great in between stop. Many clients have thanked me for the suggestion as they loved it. The other day Zona sent me these pictures that Mr. Zona took on one of their visits to Sedona.

Its beauty is evident in these pictures.



Totally takes your breathe away. I love these pictures and am happy to share with all of you.

Thanks to Zona and Mr. Zona, for sending them to me and allowing me to post them as a blog.

Click here for more information about Sedona

~ This Is It! ~

by Tina~in_ut

I bugged the hubby to go see This Is It, the movie about Michael Jackson. That's the great thing about vacation.......we had the time to do that. I knew I would enjoy it, but I didn't realize how it would make me feel in the end. I originally thought, "Oh great! Another way for the Jackson family to make some money!" Maybe so, but when they started interviewing the dancers, all these young people who flew in from all over the world, for the chance of a lifetime......to dance with Michael Jackson!!!....they had me! They show footage of the dancers auditioning and Michael actively participating in the selection. Over 5000 kids showed up and only a dozen chosen. It was moving to watch how much a chance like this meant to them. It didn't seem to be about money or fame, but about the opportunity to learn from the very best.

I also enjoyed watching Michael interact with everyone. He seemed to want everyone to shine, but at the same time, knew exactly what he wanted. HE was in charge. HE ran the show. Yet he did it very quietly.....if that makes any sense.

I hope you get a chance to see the film. If you ever liked his music, I think you will.....and then some~