We give thanks this Thanksgiving.................

for the good news that Keith will not be recalled by the Army and can resign his commission with no further obligation. Do you hear that sigh of relief? It happened with a telephone call that Keith just happened to pick up since he was home yesterday for a bite of lunch. My understanding is that since last July those who have fulfilled their military obligation and are still in the inactive reserves are not duty-bound to return to active duty. My cynical mind wants to say that President Bush and his cohorts just quietly let this one sit, but saner minds prevailed and Sheila pointed out that the military has the onerous task of changing over to a completely new digital process for tracking all military folks, and it has simply taken this long to catch up to Keith. I will not concern myself further with the process, but will just be thankful for the outcome. But my heart and my prayers go out to all families who are affected by the situation in Iraq....and Afghanistan.

We keep thinking we need to be busier to get ready to go south on about the fifth of December, but we must be more ready than we think, because we aren't busy!! I did do a bit of housekeeping, sorting, and rearranging in the motor home yesterday, but it was nothing major. I do need to give some more serious thought to Christmas. I particularly need to finish shopping for Craig since we will not be here with him at Christmas. And I want to take a string of lights, at least, for decorating the motor home in Arizona. Then there is the planning for what to take and what to wear when we go to McCall to spend Christmas with Brian, Sheila, and the boys. At least I am thinking if not doing!

We are invited to Jerry and Mary Ellen McKain's for dinner this evening, and that is always enjoyable. Jerry mixes a mean cocktail, and there is lots of good conversation throughout the evening. Ken worked for Jerry when he first went to work at Western State Hospital, and then it turned out that we moved into Steilacoom and on to the same street as the McKains.

Colleen has had three business trips in as many weeks. She was in Pasadena at the Fuller campus for each of the two previous weeks, and as of this past Wednesday she is in Nashville to observe a class to better prepare herself to write the follow-on course. She called last night and said it is cold there. But most anywhere in the US would feel cold coming from Phoenix.

The interstate just east of Snoquolmie Pass is still down to one lane each direction as a result of the latest rock slide. The DOT announced last night that the repairs will not be finished by the Thanksgiving holiday, and folks could face a 30 mile backup. Their advice is for everyone to stay put and not try to cross the state. There are two alternate passes, but they have fewer lanes, and the weather and road conditions could be a major issue for either one.

Curt, Cinda and Linea were planning to go to Spokane, driving over on Thaksgiving morning and returning Sunday evening to get Linea on a plane back to Chicago early on Monday morning, and I know that is their first choice, but I have assured them we would love to have them here with us. I am just waiting to hear from them, but knowing their schedule, I am pretty sure they won't try to get to Spokane.

To complete the sewing machine saga: Elisabeth and I went to a sewing and quilting fair last Friday, and I found the machine I wanted at a great price. So went back to the shop that I had been dealing with, told her the going price ($500 less than what she was asking) and asked if she could match it. She did! Another example of a consumable that doesn't even come close to selling for the suggested retail!! But I love the machine, and know exactly where it will live in the motor home. Of course the expenditure for the machine is only the beginning. It has been so long since I have sewn that there is a whole new world of notions and accessories, plus the price of fabric and patterns has quadrupled since I last purchased any. So I had better get busy and go shopping!!

Ciao