I am just now getting around to writing in this journal, after a whirling few days of family gatherings and celebrations.

On Thanksgiving Eve, we were honored to have Aaron arrive for an extended 3-day visit. He stayed in my "office", which I must say makes a tidy and comfy guest bedroom. Then, on Thanksgiving Day, we drove up to Jamie's for a family celebration with Jamie, Amy, Noah, Ava, Avis, Luke, Josh, Matt, Amy's beloved Aunt Colette (affectionately known as "Pumpkin") , and, of course, Cia and Aaron and me. It was a quietly happy day for all of us, I think -- a day filled with the simple friendship and cheerfulness of a devoted blended family. We ate and laughed and shared stories and just loved being together. I thought, as I do many times each day, "How lucky I am!"

Yesterday, Aaron, Cia, and I took a two hour hike in a beautiful forest preserve down in Niantic.  We couldn't have walked in a prettier place. I loved the old, bald rocks covered with lichen, the ledges good for sitting and chatting, the several overlooks where I used my birthday-gift-from-Cia binoculars, and the well-marked and scenic trail. Of course, the best part was being with two beautiful people!

And finally, today we journeyed up to Sherborn (MA) for another Thanksgiving feast with our good friends, Evelyn and Peter, and a handful of their friends. It was a feast of major proportions and exquisite taste, and we had another good fill of laughter and friendship.