Since
it’s the last Monday of 2013, I thought I’d take a bit of time to think about
all the things I’ve had this year to be thankful for. And it turns out to be
quite a robust list.
First of
all comes the category of friends, of which I have the absolute primo
finest-kind. I won’t recount all the evidence of that this year, or else I’d be
writing well into 2014; so just a few highlights.
I’m
really grateful that my BFF has received very good news from her oncological
radiologist. So happy and grateful.
Also very
thankful that when I spoke with her early this month in distress, she invited
me down to Palm Springs so I could meet up with family, basically dropping most
of her holiday social plans for the weekend to accommodate me. It was a gross
imposition on my part to call her on a Wednesday afternoon and then be there by
1000 on the Friday, but it was a wonderful solace to me, and I’m so grateful
that she was there for me in all senses of the word.
Also—seriously
grateful that her husband was making an apple pie for a party they were going
to on Saturday; because when I declined their invitation to go, John made me a
rustic apple tart all for myself. I’d show you a picture, except I ate it
before it occurred to me to take one. Your loss, totally my gain
I did
get some shots of their Christmas lights, though—it was a completely lovely,
peaceful evening; a much appreciated gift from the two of them to me.
I’m also
grateful for my friend Carol Ann in Virginia, who called
me a couple of months ago when she really needed someone to talk with. I
was truly glad I could help her—especially considering all the times I’ve
called her barely able to talk through the tears. I miss our weekly breakfasts,
and I look forward to the time when they can resume.
Thanks
to her, BTW, I now have four of the most beautiful wine glasses ever. She gave
me the first one before I left Virginia for Washington, and ever since then
it’s been the first thing I unpack in a move, so that my first glass of wine in
a new place is out of it. I loved that glass with a love that bordered on
idolatry, so I was just devastated when about 18 months ago I broke it.
But each
Christmas I get another one, so even though that original glass is gone, I could
have three people over for dinner and not look like an inhospitable pig by saving the
prettiest glass for myself.
(She
gave me the little finger monsters, too. Also I get the best refrigerator
magnets from her. And articles clipped from magazines. And books about
redheads, and about shoes.)
Another
friend—dating from my days in Virginia, but out here now—is a staunch
supporter. I can always count on Amy to lift my spirits.
Plus—she’s
another fan of department store lunch rooms. I love the lunches we’ve had at
Neiman-Marcus.
I’m
deeply grateful for the friend who took me on a Golden
Gate adventure on my birthday. That entire day was a hoot, starting with
the most varieties of dahlias I’ve ever seen. Like this:
And
this:
And
this:
Plus—a
ride on a really old carousel:
That day
was stellar; what a great gift.
A friend
of mine here has taught me a whole lot about social media. Whenever I have a
job interview coming up, Mary always gives me perspective and insights. Because
of her I talk a much better game than I used to. Plus—I actually understand
what I’m talking about, which impresses me no end.
(Mary
gave me the key to answering that God-awful “What
do you do when you’re not working?” interview question. I’m so waiting for
the next interviewer to ask me that.)
Speaking
of social media—I have to say that, on the whole, I’m really glad I stepped up
my Twitter game. It’s been a half year of thought-provoking, exasperating,
illuminating and cringeworthy tweets for me.
I followed
an articulate,
impassioned ex-con, joined in with the snarkers sticking
it to JP Morgan, discovered that there’s a band
called Tofu Meatballs (and of course they tweet), and really enjoyed some
of the hashtag
campaigns—the goofier the better.
I
exchange thoughts with (among a whole range of others) British cops, Australian housewives (with really, really
big spiders) and people (or entities) of uncertain origin or mental stability.
And
very—very—occasionally, one of them
actually reads my blog. I was in a frenzy of joy last July when one of them
DM’d me—unsolicited—saying (and I quote): “I like your blog.” Most beautiful
four words in the English language. Better even than “Will you marry me?” I was
doing the happy dance for a week off that.
Seriously
grateful for that, Twitter Guy.
This was
a year when I drank in appreciation—one of my friends assured me, “No one who
writes as wittily and well as you do can possibly be as boring as you allege.” Roo
is a guy who knows from wit, so really basked in that. Another friend commented
that my post on the battle
of Gettysburg “would have graced the NYTimes, or any other publication.”
Like Roo, the Pundit’s Apprentice’s opinion on such matters get my respect,
even when he’s talking about me.
I’m
grateful that I’ve got a couple of very attractive job prospects, with
interviews presumably to take place in early January. And that I’m confident
that I have a story to tell them about how I can contribute, and supporters who
recharge that confidence all the time.
All in
all, this has been a most excellent year, and I’m grateful for all the people
who tipped it into the positive side. Watch out, 2014!
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