Thanksgiving Table 2021 and a few Poems of Gratitude

 

As she does every year, my sister in law Ricki set a spectacular Thanksgiving table. I took this photo shortly after we arrived. The autumnal colors were ravishing in the glow of evening.  

Another view of the centerpiece

                Quite a different Thanksgiving table setting, taken in afternoon light 2019.

  

An entire spatchcock turkey -- Quite a feast for two

Then we skipped a year to dine at home during the pandemic in 2020. I set a no frills table, but I did roast a buttermilk brined, spatchcock, heritage turkey and baked my traditional pumpkin pie. Dean whipped up his signature mashed potatoes. Everything was splendid but we really missed our family of choice and Ricki's excellent gravy, a skill we have yet to master.

Last year's pie for just the 2 of us

 2021- I enjoy finding my place card on an elegantly set table once again

Shortly before the event Ricki sent this email to our "Dear Thanksgiving Family," 

"During our meal, let each of us bring a story, a poem, a grace/blessing or favorite prose that inspires reflection on gratitude, the healing power of community, wisdom that aids positive attitudes through challenging times. We have all lived long enough to recall hardships of past eras, yet the harshness of hate made visible through web-based media clearly requires antidotes of "goodness" and reflections on loving kindness and transformation."

                               Dean penned some thoughtful lines:

                               Today we gather with bonds of love

                               Giving thanks for the blessings bestowed from above

                               And as we enjoy our blessed good fortune

                               We'll send to the needy a generous portion

                               

                                

                  Taya followed with a verse about Ricki's Shitzu and my calico kitty

                                 Now Allie and Wink, our favorite pets

                                 We lavish with love without regrets

                                 They fill our lives with joy and love

                                 For them we thank the stars above

                                  

                            Sande brought a poem that I admired and reprint below

The first Green of Spring                                                                   by David Budbill

Out walking in the swamp picking cowslip, marsh marigold, this sweet first green of spring. Now sautéed in a pan melting to a deeper green than ever they were alive, this green, this life, harbinger of things to come. Now we sit at the table munching on this message from the dawn which says we and the world are alive again today, and this is the world’s birthday. And even though we know we are growing old, we are dying, we will never be young again, we also know we’re still right here now, today, and, my oh my! don’t these greens taste good.

The Storm Door Is Open

 

                                                         Rain Gauge December 3, 2014

An atmospheric river dropped 7 3/4 inches of rain at my house in Berkeley on Sunday and Monday, Oct. 24th and 25th. Pictured above is a photo of my rain gauge that I used in a blog post on December 3rd 2014. I was excited when it registered 5" for the first time that year and the excitement continues... During rainfall, whether a drizzle or a storm, I check my gauge obsessively, sometimes even in the middle of the night. This is of course the result of years of drought and fire danger, and also because in Northern California we get next to no rain from March or April to November. This year was a very welcome surprise!!!

Here is same rain gauge this year on Nov. 9th, now set up in a flower box near the street. It's seven years older and clouded over from years of exposure, but still very serviceable. During the atmospheric river event I watched the level climb to 5 " on Sunday,  then happily emptied it and  saw it climb again to 2 3/4 " throughout the next day. Our rain for this historic October storm totaled 7 3/4 ". Goodbye fire danger! Bill Martin, my favorite TV meteorologist, had been very encouraging even when we got our first few sputtering drizzles in mid October. He posited that at least the storm door was opening. 

How right he was! At least for now it's wide open.  Last week we got another third of an inch and Monday night's rain added an inch more. We already have record rainfall for this time of year and of course the totals are higher the farther north you go. We're praying for more. 

             A calm morning in Berkeley after the recent storm -  photographed from our kitchen window

During the rainy season I also like checking the National Weather Service's website HERE for their accurate forecasts and especially their link to RAINFALL TOTALS throughout the state, in 1 to 24 hour increments. I usually check San Francisco, Marin County towns (which average a lot) and nearby East Bay cities. They refresh their statistics every few hours so I can observe obsessively during a storm.  Since it's a national service, I assume this applies to the rest of the country.

They need to change this sign

Our nearby Berkeley firehouse at the top of Shasta Road has a sign that registers fire danger throughout the year. The danger ranges form LOW  to  EXTREME,  and for some reason it's remained on HIGH even after the record breaking October deluge. Puddles now abound and every surface is soaked. We've been assured that fire season is over. Do they know something we don't ??